United Kingdom

UK - More employers need to set up hybrid, career average and cash balance pension schemes rather than defined contribution plans, consultants say.

UK - Changes to the wording of trust law to reflect increased expectations of trustee competence are being considered by the government.

UK - Government proposals could force investors to bail out failed schemes at any company in which they have an interest, Punter Southall warns.

UK - The six members who will lead the Pensions Management Institute's new independent trustee committee have been elected in a poll where 80% of members voted.

UK - Demographic change and pensions will be the subject of a one-day conference organised by The Work Foundation next month.

UK - Standard Life Investments has launched a global index-linked bond fund targeted at pension schemes.

UK - Watson Wyatt has released its annual report detailing employee benefit legislation across 17 European countries.

UK - Small and medium-sized UK pension schemes will be able to invest in US equities without huge tax burdens for the first time.

UK - Final salary schemes are disappearing among small firms, new research reveals.

UK - Gresham has closed its third private equity fund after raising £235m from schemes and other institutional investors.