News

US - With pensions funds forced to absorb steep losses during the economic downturn, questions are being asked about the ability of 401(k) defined contribution (DC) plans to provide retirees with sufficient funds, compared with defined benefit (DB) plans....

Workers at the University of Sussex will go on strike today after pensions negotiations broke down between trade union Unite and the institution.

The pension liabilities of the major high street banks are "significantly" greater than their equity market value, Pension Capital Strategies says.

The West Midlands Pension Fund is considering allocating up to 2pc of it's assets to hedge funds.

Trustees should review their statement of investment principles and be prepared to make portfolio changes in order to remain compliant, Buck Consultants warns.

Banks dwarfed by pension schemes; Dominic Lawson: Great pension divide: which side are you on?; FSA chairman Lord Adair Turner warns UK banks of hard-line regulation; James Daley: A volatile time for our pensions - but this is not the time to panic; Secretive...

UK - Trustees should assess their statement of investment principles (SIP) and be prepared to make changes to their portfolio to remain compliant with policy, Buck Consultants says.

Employers with existing schemes may face difficulties administering the qualifying earnings test, the Society of Pension Consultants warns.

CANADA - Q3 saw Canadian pension plans suffer their largest quarterly decline in a decade, RBC Dexia Investor Services has revealed.

NETHERLANDS - The €209bn (US$280bn) ABP fund has refused to reveal the extent of its losses in failed banking and insurance giant Fortis, following a misplaced bet which saw it up its stake just weeks before the firm's shares plunged in value.