United Kingdom

Heather Dale talks to Mike O'Brien, the UK's Minister of State for Pension Reform

The importance of the role of trustees in UK defined benefit (DB) pension funds was highlighted in 2007: the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) in particular encouraged trustees to engage with companies over merger and acquisition activity.

After a long period of speculation, could it be that the ball is finally rolling for the much-hyped buyout market?

UK - Requests for help with pension scheme governance from trustees have doubled over the past 18 months, according to Hewitt Associates.

UK - Actuaries and employers' organisations have met the standing committee working on the Pensions Bill 2008 to promote risk sharing and the protection of current schemes.

UK - The BP pension scheme's announcement it would take a contributions holiday in 2008, has been met with approval by Aon consulting.

With the effects of 2007's credit crunch making themselves felt in the equity markets, the UK's pension funds are looking at ways to reduce risk and volatility. Heather Dale reports from London

Heather Dale talks to Nigel Waterson, Shadow Pensions Minister for the Conservative party

UK - Aon Consulting has launched a specialist trustee service to provide support for covenant assessments of sponsoring employers.

UK - Trustees of pension schemes whose company sponsors have ceased trading should now be able to claim VAT on incurred expenses following a court ruling.