United Kingdom

UK - The Confederation of British Industries (CBI) has called for an eight point action plan to be implemented in a bid to protect struggling firms from being damaged further by defined benefit pension schemes.

UK/EUROPE- The proposed European Consumer Rights Directive must not be allowed to hamper auto-enrolment into occupational pensions, the Association of British Insurers warns.

UK - The credit crisis has "hugely damaged" the UK's pensions system leaving retirement savers disillusioned and destroying the idea stock market investment will always deliver generous pensions, Ros Altmann warns.

UK - Trustees must be "extra careful" about how much they pay for longevity swaps, Trustee GAAPS says.

UK - The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority has launched a discussion paper on the investment approach for the new national pension scheme.

UK - The parliamentary ombudsman has released a special report condemning the government's "disappointing" response to her Equitable Life recommendations.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund has launched an updated online reporting system for insolvency practitioners.

UK - Aberdeen Asset Management has reported asset outflows of £13.9bn (US$21bn) in the six months to 31 March.

UK - Pension funds could become investors in residential rental housing under a governmental agency plan to encourage schemes to support builders in the UK.

UK - The majority of the UK's largest pension schemes apply environmental, social or corporate governance criteria in the selection of fund managers, a report by campaigning organisation FairPensions reveals.