United Kingdom

UK - Employers are being warned to brace themselves for an angry backlash when staff see how much stock market falls have hit their retirement pots.

UK - OPRA has launched a range of educational leaflets for pension scheme trustees.

UK - The Institute of Actuaries has praised SMPIs and believes they will encourage individuals to review their saving strategies.

UK - The future of the UK pensions industry lies in the hands of companies and their ability to promote financial products, Simplification Report author Alan Pickering believes.

UK - J Sainsbury chief executive Sir Peter Davis will head the government's new employer task force on pensions.

UK - Beleaguered Equitable Life has put its compensation scheme on hold for anyone with a guaranteed pension.

UK - Senior High Court judge Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss has backed government plans for legislation that would extend pension rights to same-sex couples.

UK - A new pensions consultancy - created from a management buyout of KHPMC Systems - has been launched.

UK - Barclays Global Investors has lost out at the London Borough of Hackney Superannuation Fund following an investment strategy review carried out by Hymans Robertson and Watson Wyatt.

UK - More than 90% of stakeholder pension schemes receive no contributions from employers, a new study shows.