News

Watson Wyatt has launched a defined contribution pension provider research database for Europe.

US - Thirty leading investors, who collectively manage more than US$1.4trn in assets, have sent a letter to Congress regarding the passage of a national energy bill for the expansion of clean energy, reduction of oil dependence and curbing of pollution...

Including: FRANCE - Strikes continue, government urges negotiations; UKRAINE - SEB acquires Factorial Bank; EUROPE - Watson Wyatt unveils DC database; TURKEY - Social security reforms expected

CILP's Telent bid ‘unconditional'; Fresh turmoil on fear of new bank seeking emergency aid; Unions and workers split over more strikes; Barclays allays fears with £1.3bn writedown

US - The California Supreme Court has declined to review a lower court decision awarding California State Teachers' Retirement System's (CalSTRS) US$200m in interest payments on a $500m payment withheld by the state in 2003-2004.

Almost half of trustees believe the shift away from defined benefit schemes is irreversible, a survey shows.

Increasing intervention in how defined contribution schemes are run could scare smaller firms away from pension provision altogether, a consultant warns.

CANADA/NEW ZEALAND - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has released the latest details of its long-delayed plan to increase its holdings in Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL).

NETHERLANDS - The Dutch associations of pension funds (VB, OPF and UvB) have released a handbook designed to advise pension funds on how best to approach ethical investments.

GREECE - The conservative government has called for the amalgamation of 155 separate pension funds down to 20 in order to improve economies of scale and reduce waste, according to reports in Greek newspaper Kathimerini.