News

UK - Some 714 additional defined benefit (DB) pension schemes covered by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) are in surplus compared to a year ago, according to the organisation's most recent index results.

UK - The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) has doubled its allocation to alternative assets over the past year, with a plan to increase this to 20% of the fund's entire value, according to the latest BCSSS annual report.

Sainsbury family threat to derail £10bn Delta Two over pensions; New wave of strikes to cripple postal services; Wraps off ‘Friends Financial'; BAA tries to reassure investors over debt

EUROPE - The European Commission has adopted an amended proposal to reduce obstacles to workers' mobility by improved access to and better preservation of supplementary pensions rights.

Including: UK - Hard life for 21st Century trustees; AUSTRALIA - Illiquid assets take risk appreciation; US - NYSTRS head to retire

GLOBAL - Emerging markets' ability to retain profitability through this summer's credit crunch may be partly due to their improved governance, according to industry commentators.

DEFINED benefit schemes have an aggregate surplus of £44bn, latest figures from the Pension Protection Fund reveal.

UK - A majority of people within the pensions industry believe Gordon Brown will proceed with the Turner Commission's proposals, according to a new poll.

UK - Some 88% of UK savers expect to retire before they reach 65, revealing worrying demographic changes that could leave retirees with inadequate assets to fund their twilight years, claims a survey.

RUSSIA - Gas producer Gazprom said the revised accounting treatment of the non governmental pension fund, NPF Gazfund, had a significant impact on the group's financial information for the three months ended 31 March 2007.