United Kingdom

UK - The Trades Union Congress attacked the government's plans to increase the retirement age for public sector scheme members from 60 to 65.

UK - Schemes' running costs have grown faster than other business overheads, research from Capita Hartshead shows.

UK - Opposition MPs have launched a blistering attack on the government's pension reforms.

UK - Tougher scheme wind-up rules could "hammer" company credit ratings, consultant Lane Clark & Peacock warns.

UK - The Transport & General Workers' Union hit out at plans to levy schemes to pay for the Pension Protection Fund.

UK - The Equal Opportunities Commission has welcomed moves to scrap survivor benefits in occupational schemes.

UK - The pensions ombudsman has ordered an administration firm to reimburse early retirement benefits after it failed to pass funding advice on to scheme trustees.

UK - The CBI has backed government proposals for increasing pension protection.

UK - Gartmore Investment Management has branded credit ratings agencies as an "axis of evil" that forces both schemes and bond issuers into poor decisions.

UK - Jardine Lloyd Thompson and Nabarro Nathanson are holding a joint forum on July 3 for pensions and employee benefits professionals.