News

US - Hybrid defined benefit (DB) plans could form part of the new investment landscape for US company retirement schemes, according to an analyst from Watson Wyatt.

GLOBAL - People and process are without doubt more important to pension funds than past performance, confirmed the results of October's Global Pensions 100 Panel.

Schemes could have a potential £300m VAT rebate from HM Revenue and Customs slashed by 25pc, Trust Associates warns.

US - Consultants in the US have been told to brace themselves for major changes in the consultancy profession with specialisation and adaptability becoming the keywords for success.

US - The newly formed National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) has announced the appointment of Beth Almeida, to act as its first executive director. She will take up this position in early November.

GLOBAL - The majority of pension funds remain confident on quantitative (quant) management, despite the losses suffered by quant strategies in the wake of August's market turbulence, show the results of the latest Global Pensions 100 Panel.

EUROPE - AEGON Pension Network has confirmed that a tax-transparent pooling vehicle it is currently developing should be launched in 2008.

US - Michigan-based Sterling Heights Police & Fire Retirement System has brought a class action lawsuit against Mattel, following mass recalls of the company's toys.

A senior West Midlands councillor has urged ministers to delay implementing the new-look Local Government Pension Scheme.

Pension scheme membership falls; Standard Life seeks bid partner; Treasury underwrites ailing bank's bailout; RBS seals success with ABN Amro nomination