United Kingdom

UK - The Pension Policy Institute has urged schemes to increase investment in hedge funds.

UK - Trade unionists are urging the government to repeal pensions laws which continue to discriminate against women, gays and lesbians.

UK - Pension fund advisers should consider advising their clients to top up their SIPPs with traded endowment policies, Policy Portfolio claims.

UK - An 11th hour bid by pension advisory service OPAS to save the UK final salary scheme at international shipping giant Maersk has failed.

UK - Sirius Financial Systems has teamed up with computer solutions expert Logica in a bid to increase its share of the pensions trustee market.

UK - Standard & Poor's has withdrawn its ratings on Railtrack following the redemption of all bonds and medium-term notes by Network Rail.

UK - Abbey National is to distribute Prudential's with-profits bond for an initial four-year period.

UK - Standard & Poor's has revised its outlook on Standard Life from stable to negative following fears over the firm's financial flexibility.

UK - Pension scheme investment in hedge funds will more than double in the next two years, a new study predicts.

UK - The practical and legal issues of delivering pensions services online are addressed in a new book published by Tolleys.