United Kingdom

UK - Changing the age when workers' redundancy rights apply - effectivelythe retirement age - could open a minefield of litigation, experts warn.

UK - Medical supplies firm Smith & Nephew is offering staff health insurance and the chance to purchase extra holidays as part of a new flexible benefits package.

UK - Tax changes in the Finance Act could leave widows facing pension poverty, Standard Life warns.

UK - The government has rejected calls to abolish the compulsory purchase of annuities because pensioners are "poor judges" of their spending.

UK - Uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential election could be behind poor US equity performance in recent weeks, according to Schroders Investment Management Limited.

UK - Achim Gloger has joined the institutional fixed income team at Fidelity Investments as business development director for pan-Europe.

UK - Merrill Lynch Investment Managers has launched its first pooled focus fund, which is specifically aimed at pension funds and charities.

UK - Ministers are allowing solvent companies to wind up their schemes in deficit to prevent further calls on its Financial Assistance Scheme.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund faces ‘systemic failure' if it invests significantly in equities, the National Association of Pension Funds warns.

UK - Aon Consulting has entered into an agreement worth more than £10m with specialist pension administration software provider aquila.