United Kingdom

UK - The £980m Environment Agency active pension fund is tendering for investment managers to look after two global equity portfolios together worth £130m.

UK - Compulsory pension contributions could make the savings crisis worse, senior industry figures warn.

UK - Simplification Report author and Watson Wyatt partner Alan Pickering will be speaking at the European Pensions Market Forum 2004.

UK - Schemes and pensioners have attacked government plans to curb tax-free death benefits to members' spouses or relatives.

UK - Widespread support for compulsion will "melt away" once its practical effects become apparent, the Association of British Insurers claims.

UK - IFA Destini has acquired Lifeboat Financial Group's assets in a last-minute rescue bid for the beleaguered firm.

UK - Federal Mogul has criticised the independent trustee of the Turner & Newell pension scheme for rejecting a $130m (£71m) offer to top-up the fund.

UK - Rexam, the world's largest beverage can maker, has cut its global pension fund deficit by £51m to £332m.

UK - The pensions ombudsman has hit back at the government for refusing to grant him wider powers than the High Court.

UK - The Society of Pension Consultants is backing moves to make takeholder pension advice simpler and quicker.