News

UK - The option for trustees to commute small 'stranded pension pots' of less than £2,000 (US$2,950) has been put on hold until the middle of 2009.

US - Leading Texas investors have discussed responses to the global economic downturn and the new emerging investment opportunities this has created.

US - An enhanced version of the T Standard, a metric used by investors to measure the performance of their portfolio during a transition, has been updated.

Pensions plan on track despite credit crisis; Pension funds eye battle on executive pay; Prince of Wales sent Peter Hain letter of support over donations affair; Responsible investment database announced

THE Pension Protection Fund has expanded its relationship with State Street Corporation to include risk services for its £2bn of assets under mangement.

Almost 60pc of pension professionals are still not convinced data cleansing tools and project management should be a key priority for schemes, a poll suggests.

UK - The government's decision to cut value added tax and then put it up again could add around £3bn (US$4.5bn) to defined benefit (DB) pension liabilities, Watson Wyatt warns.

SWITZERLAND - Two European pension funds have awarded two separate private equity mandates to Switzerland-based alternative asset manager Partners Group.

Ros Altmann has called for the introduction of a National Wealth Service, with free financial advice health checks to keep savers on the right track.

IRELAND - The funding rules governing defined benefit (DB) pension schemes need urgent reform or a number will collapse, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) warns.