United Kingdom

UK - Standard Life with-profits policyholders have almost no chance of seeing their funds grow after the mutual slashed its equity reserves, experts warn.

UK - Aberdeen Property Investors' specialist out-of-town retail vehicles posted strong returns for 2003.

UK - Scheme members at more than a dozen firms could be "robbed of their benefits" following Bradstock-type deals between trustees and employers, OPAS warns.

UK - The Railways Pension Scheme has invested £53m in Asian private equity to complete a drive towards geographical diversification.

UK - The £18bn Universities Superannuation Scheme is reviewing its investments and considering a move to long-term mandates.

UK - Concerns over directors' pay will remain until transparency improves, lobby group Pensions Investment Research Consultants warns.

UK - Steelworkers who lost their pensions when their employer collapsed plan to lobby outside parliament during the second reading of the Pensions Bill on Tuesday.

UK - The ex-wives of Armed Forces Pension Scheme members may be entitled to the same rights as their former husbands following a High Court ruling.

UK - Emerging market investments will continue to outperform this year despite political and terrorist risk in Asia, Aberdeen Asset Management claims.

UK - An Asian equities trust operated by Perennial Investment Partners has reported record five-year returns despite volatility in the market.The fund produced a gross performance of 10.1% last year.