United Kingdom

UK - Demand for pension sharing services has increased on the back of a 3.9% rise in the divorce rate last year.

UK - Standard & Poor's Index Services have appointed John Davies (pictured) as director of market development, Europe.

UK - Higher discount rates in the UK have been matched in all major retirement markets globally, a report by Towers Perrin shows.

UK - Liberal Democrat plans to assign ratings for final salary schemes have been dismissed as empty "headline-grabbing" ideas by Alexander Forbes Financial Services.

UK - Schroders has been awarded a £35m specialist European equity mandate from the £1bn Surrey County Council pension fund.

UK - Specialist UK equity investment boutique Majedie Asset Management has been appointed to manage a £45m mandate for the Surrey County Council Pension Fund.

UK - The average worker is facing a pensions shortfall of more than £50,000, new research shows.

UK - Pensions was among the top three causes for industrial unrest over the last year, research by law firm DLA reveals.

UK - Accountancy giant Ernst and Young is introducing pension salary sacrifice for its staff from January 1.

UK - The Lords have criticised the government over the increasing size and complexity of the Pensions Bill.