Moves to increase MPs’ salaries could also boost their pension scheme liabilities, causing more friction between private and public sector workers

The Treasury Select Committee has urged the government to keep under review its decision to scrap the higher rate of tax relief for those earning over £150,000.

BT has cut its dividend share price in an effort to plug a £4bn funding gap in its pension scheme.

Annuity transfers now take an average of eight calendar days thanks to the Options initiative, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said.

Structured products are proving extremely popular in the current recessionary market, according to Newcastle Intermediary Services (NIS).

Hartford’s exit from the UK variable annuity market could kick-start product innovation from its former rivals.

A leading offshore finance firm has hit out at what it sees as unnecessary criticism of countries or dependencies offering ‘tax neutral’ services.

Asset management firm Neuberger Berman Group (NB Group) has purchased the asset management arm of Lehman Brothers, which will now be known as Neuberger Berman Europe.

Ashmore Global Opportunities Limited (AGOL) is a “healthy fund with no underlying problems”, according to its parent company, despite the board holding a shareholder vote on winding up the fund.

Three-quarters of investors in a Network Rail inflation-linked bond issue were pension schemes looking to avoid the volatility of equities and disruption in the swaps market.

Barclays is rumoured to be in talks to sell its asset management arm, Barclays Global Investors (BGI).

In 1820, today’s emerging economies accounted for more than 80% of global GDP. With the onset of the industrial revolution, these inventive and enterprising countries turned inward and ultimately lost their leadership position in the global economy. But in recent times, emerging markets have re-emerged to – from their perspective – regain their rightful place in the economic world. Today, they account for more than 50% of global GDP, up from 38% in 1950.

Administration costs increased by around 20% during 2008, according to Watson Wyatt’s annual Pension Scheme Cost Survey.

A survey of 200 businesses found that no open final salary schemes are planning to close.

Goodyear Dunlop, the UK branch of the tyres and car supplies manufacturer, is looking to introduce a new defined contribution (DC) scheme for its members.

A defined benefit pension scheme’s rules have been rewritten to reflect the intention of its sponsor and trustees after a High Court decision.

Change must be swift but not without support europeans are living longer and, as pensions systems creak under the weight of the downturn, one method of alleviating the situation is to extend working life. In the UK, the state pension age will rise from 65 to 68 by 2044.

Pension pots of less than £2,000 can now be taken as a collective lump sum, regardless of larger pension provisions.

People approaching retirement are more aware of their pension value and subsequent options than is commonly thought, according to Legal & General (L&G).

In his letter (PM May 2009), David Trenner asked: “What employer in its right mind would want to offer a pension scheme?”

According to the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), employees are showing more confidence in workplace pensions. When asked how confident they were in saving into a pension, compared with other forms of saving, 50% of those surveyed in Q1 of this year said they were confident. This compares to 48% for the same period in 2008. This is welcome news at a time when media headlines could have sent everyone into a spiral of despair.

Achieving data quality and integrity is no mean task for the pensions trustee – it takes time, effort and greater investment in the processes working behind the scenes

Ever since I got into all this Twitter stuff on the internet, I’ve been introduced to all kinds of studies and reports on the subject. It’s quite fascinating. In the world of Twitter I’m known as PensionsGuru, by the way – something I’m sure won’t surprise you. I have to say it did surprise me, though, that the monicker was available when I applied for it. I came to Twitter relatively late and PensionsGuru is a name you’d have thought would have been snapped up ages ago, wouldn’t you? I thought I’d be PensionsGuru37985 or something like that, but no, there it was waiting for me, unclaimed.

The goal of beating benchmarks while keeping volatility low is more important now than ever before, as is understanding the strategies that can help achieve this objective

John Wythe discusses the ups and downs of commercial property, explains the appeal of regional shopping centres and offers his views on the likely recovery of the domestic market

As the self-invested personal pension celebrates its 20th anniversary, there is still no sign of its growth decelerating or its popularity waning

For a full version of the 2009 survey, click HERE.

Sipps are attracting investors who believe they are better off controlling their own benefits, but can providers keep up with the pace?

Despite the panic generated by the Budget, there is plenty to retain investors’ interest in the Sipp arena

How much interest is there in setting up a group self-invested personal pension (Sipp) in the current economic climate?

Schemes and their sponsors face some tough decisions in relation to this year’s actuarial valuations

Drawdown is not for everyone, but with so many options available clients could reap the rewards, if they can access high quality advice

Minor differences have resulted in less litigation this side of the water, but the downturn has seen more schemes keen to pursue cases as lead plaintiff

Schemes undergo many changes in their lifetime, all of which can threaten the integrity of the data. Cleansing is therefore a necessary journey to ensure accurate calculations

Hymans Robertson has appointed John Wright to the newly created role of head of public sector consulting.

Axa Investment Managers (Axa IM) has promoted Rob Bailey to head of UK sales.

Mark Ashworth, a director of independent trustee firm Law Debenture, has been appointed to chair the governance committee of the BT group self-invested personal pension (Sipp).