United Kingdom

UK- One in four people aged 55-plus invests in shares as an alternative to their pensions, research from Lincoln Financial Group has revealed.

UK - Almost nine out of ten defined contribution (DC) scheme experts believe employees look for workplace advice on pensions.

UK - The new secretary of state for work and pensions James Purnell says he will be getting on with the big decisions for the future, following Peter Hain's resignation yesterday.

UK - Peter Hain has resigned as secretary of state for work and pensions "to clear his name" following a scandal over donations to his deputy leader campaign fund.

UK - The Northern Rock is considering a buyout of its £355m pension scheme and has received quotes from a number of buyout providers.

UK - The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has called generic financial advice (GFA) to be rolled in the workplace ahead of the 2012 introduction of Personal Accounts in response to the interim report on the Thoresen Review of GFA.

UK - Best practice standards for hedge fund managers are likely to receive endorsement from pension consultants, according to Man Group deputy chairman Stanley Fink.

UK - Gains made by FTSE 100 pension funds over 2007 were wiped out yesterday in the greatest equities crash since 9/11 2001, according to some UK consultants.

UK - Pension funds may finally be reaping the benefits of currency alpha products, according to BNY Mellon Asset Servicing.

UK - The Cabinet Office Civil Servants Pension Scheme (COCSPS) has reappointed Hewitt as its actuarial consultant.