News

The Pensions Regulator may include mortality assumptions as a new "trigger" for funding plans, Hewitt Associates claims.

CANADA - Caisse de depot et placement du Québec (Caisse) has made public a potential C$500m (US$500m) write-down due to sub-prime asset backed commercial paper (ABCP).

Mercer has launched a "broader" saving scheme which gives staff the chance to divide their combined employer and employee contributions between their pension and a general savings plan.

US - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ignored petitions from the world's largest pension funds by adopting a proposal that stops shareholders from influencing membership of company boards.

UK - The Environment Agency Pension Fund is seeking managers for a global equities portfolio worth between £50m (US$103m) and £150m.

A new insurance firm will launch a product that allows trustees to insure the sponsor covenant in full and provide an alternative to bulk annuity buyouts.

THE LOCAL Authority Pension Fund Forum has published a trustee guide urging pension schemes to engage with companies over merger and acquisition activity.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service has awarded Capita Hartshead a seven year contract to host its pension administration system.

US - Private equity still can be a worthwhile investment for pension funds, despite the credit squeeze and recent volatility, according to Watson Wyatt Worldwide.

EUROPE - The European Commission is to investigate whether the UK government's guarantee of BT Group pension liabilities is a violation of EU Treaty state aid rules.