Regulation

EUROPE - Europe's regulatory focus has shifted from market efficiency to investor protection, according to a report from State Street assessing the impact of new rules on competition and investment performance.

The government must concentrate on deregulation and communications to make it easier for employers to provide good quality pensions and for people to save more, the industry says.

The Pensions Regulator should encourage smaller employers to explore the defined contribution market to fulfil auto-enrolment duties rather than favour NEST, the Society of Pension Consultants says.

The Pensions Regulator is investigating London mayor Boris Johnson's decision to put a tourism organisation into administration rather than taking on its pension liabilities.

The Pensions Regulator is set to publish guidance on all aspects of employer duties and outline its compliance and enforcement strategy, its fifth Corporate Plan says.

Schools switching to academy status could face higher pension contribution rates because they will no longer have the same degree of funding security as council run schools.

The government is set to engage with pension providers and trade bodies to develop feeder funds, corporate ISAs and platforms in a bid to encourage saving.

GLOBAL - The future impact of pension costs should be taken into account when evaluating the fiscal health of a country, three IMF officials said in a new report.

Trustees must get to grips with scheme pays requirements and quickly identify administration changes needed to run the new annual allowance regime, Punter Southall says.

A majority of scheme managers believe giving members early access to their pension funds would not encourage greater levels of saving over the long term.