News

The self-invested personal pension market grew by more than a quarter to exceed £50bn in 2007, Suffolk Life believes.

UK - Lachlan French has been appointed managing director and head of transitions management for Europe and Asia (ex-Japan) by Barclays Global Investors (BGI).

INCLUDING: GERMANY - Combined division for AllianzGI KAG; UK - Development actuary joins Hymans Robertson; Switzerland - ORTEC opens Swiss office

UK - The manufacturers' association, EEF, has urged the government provide powers to the Pensions Regulator to ensure potential employees are not discriminated against, following the introduction of the Pensions Bill 2007.

Defined benefit pension scheme deficits rose to an aggregate of £19.6bn in December from £5.2bn in November last year, figures from the Pension Protection Fund shows.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has launched an attack on HSBC bank over what it views as corporate failings and poor financial performance.

NETHERLANDS - Pensions management firm Cordares has announced two senior appointments.

UK - Better funded defined benefit (DB) pension schemes have reduced their allocations to equities during 2007, with a strong trend towards fixed income and alternatives, according to figures published today by the National Association of Pension Funds...

AUSTRALIA - A multi-billion dollar overhaul of Australia's military defined benefit (DB) superannuation scheme is needed in order to contribute towards recruitment and retention of personnel, an independent review has found.

UK - Pension Corporation has doubled its stake to over 20% in cooker manufacturer Aga Foodservice, a move rumoured to be the start of a full takeover of the company's healthy pension scheme.