An independent trustee firm has been suspended and removed from the Pension Regulator’s approved list of trustees due to concern over its activities.

Tucked away in a news in brief item on page 5 is an article all about how baby food manufacturer Nutricia has improved the number of its workforce on target to meet their retirement expectations from 8% to 77%.

A Liberal Democrat peer has tabled an amendment to the pensions bill in a bid to establish an independent commission to review public sector pensions.

An early settlement to the dispute over new ill-health early retirement rules for local authorities looks unlikely, after doctors claimed their complaints were going unheard.

Two local government pension funds stand to gain disproportionately large payouts after becoming lead plaintiffs in a class action against Lehman Brothers.

Alan Pickering, author of the simplification report on rules governing private pension provision in 2002, is to become chairman of Bestrustees.

Cable & Wireless has added a diversified growth fund to its range of fund choices for DC scheme members.

I read with interest your editorial of August 4 in which you highlighted the increasing number of ‘deficit trackers’ used to commentate on the varying fortunes of UK pension schemes. Despite being a key protagonist, I share your concern.

Further to the recommendation from the TUC and Simon Baynes of the Logica defined contribution (DC) scheme to increase the number of member-nominated trustees (MNTs) in DC schemes (PW August 11), I would like to highlight the lower standards which are often accompanied by MNTs.

You should know better than to report comparisons of pension apples with pears. (PW August 11 – ‘Willott backs public sector pension reform’).

Profilic author and senior pension lawyer Robin Ellison has had his latest book published.

Demand for collective defined contribution (DC) schemes remains muted two months after the government’s proposed legislation to allow them.

New rules that codify trustees’ responsibilities on processing cash equivalent transfers have come in too soon for trustees to adapt, according to Mercer.

The aggregate funding position of defined benefit pension schemes fell to a £24.1bn deficit at the end of July.

Current pricing opportunities in corporate bonds are the best they have been for years, according to Henderson Global Investors.

Cash constraints on UK and US consumers over the following year are not matched by consumers in other markets, providing hope for global equities.

Corporate bonds remain very attractive investments, despite a gradual rise in default investments, according to Investec Asset Management.

Analysis: As the economy continues on a downward spiral, the corporate world is likely to experience greater numbers of insolvencies. Tom Willetts asks how this will affect the stability of the PPF.

What are the personal risks of being a trustee? I have often been asked this question, both by member-nominated trustees and by would-be independent trustees. My reply is that the risks are low; provided that trustees act reasonably and honestly, a court is unlikely to find against them.

Though the scope has widened and statistics indicate more people are qualifying, the days of enhanced annuities as default are not here yet. By David Marlow.

To regulate UK pay, shareholders must take a long-term view and set their own agenda, says Tom Powdrill.

NAPF annual conference & exhibition 2008

Better knowledge for better pensions

October 8-10 , Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow

Allison Wonderland is the title of Steve Mingle’s second book on his beloved Manchester City football club. Mingle by day is a director of Isinglass Consulting and an ex-pension scheme manager

Pensions Week explores the issue of member-nominated trustees in more depth, asking whether a greater percentage will be of benefit to schemes.

Credit Suisse has poached David Norman (pic) from Morley Fund Management to become the first chief executive of its asset management business for UK and Ireland.

JLT Benefit Solutions has named Des Hogan (pic) as a senior consultant to help the firm grow its defined benefit and defined contribution businesses.

F&C Asset Management has appointed Jeroen Wilbrink (pic) as a structured product specialist to enhance its UK asset liability management (ALM) and insurance team.

Aon Consulting has snapped up two consultants from Standard Life Client Management.

Richard Strachan (pic) and Tom Clark will be responsible for building and maintaining Aon’s growing benefits solutions client base.