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

A disagreement between BT and its pension scheme trustees over the size of its deficit has forced the Pensions Regulator to intervene, according to consultants.

The public perception of the Pensions Protection Fund (PPF) is of an encumbered organisation with a questionable ability to honour payments for all the stricken pension funds thrust upon it. Not that far off really from the old woman who lived in a shoe.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC’s) relaxation on unauthorised pension payments has been welcomed by a leading law firm.

The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA) has given assurance over UK jobs after revealing three firms shortlisted for its administration contract are based abroad.

Synthetic buyouts are set to become a reality after Babcock International’s pension schemes became the first to agree to use swaps to hedge longevity risk.

The recovery in UK equities will continue for the next few months, but thereafter values will plateau, Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) believes.

Specialist consulting firm Ortec Finance is to open an office in London this week to help trustees and sponsors manage their exposure to different types of risk.

The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA) has hinted heavily that a default annuity will not be available at the decumulation stage of personal accounts.

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

More attention must be given to pension schemes during pre-packaged administrations, according to a buyout firm.

The NHS pension scheme has cut annual administration costs by £6.2m since 2006.

A turning point in UK commercial property valuations is expected at the end of 2009, according to Legal & General Investment Management.

Close to 30,000 members of the Zurich Financial Services final salary scheme can now activate pensions in payment through an online self-service platform.

A 4% increase in assets and higher gilt yields led to improved funding positions for schemes in the Pension Protection Fund 7800 last month.

Awards: PIPA 2009 was a glorious night of good food and celebration at the Sheraton Park Lane hotel. The winners and judges’ comments are summarised on the following pages.

The world of pensions is a complex one, which presents ever-increasing challenges to the trustees who give of their time to manage pension schemes. However, when the work of pension trustees comes under scrutiny from the media and the public, it can be difficult not to let the ‘court of public opinion’ have an impact on the decision-making process.

The Pension Protection Fund is much more than a lifeboat that rescues firms after they’ve sunk, says David Rowley, and insolvency expert Richard Favier is at the helm of its company restructuring operation, which secures cash on behalf of pension schemes.

At the moment we are receiving a number of phone calls from individuals asking what the outlook is at the senior end of the job market. Given the economic uncertainty and the constant cutbacks we are hearing about in the wider economy, there is a general feeling of unease from many people regarding their jobs. However, my message to most at the moment is “don’t panic”.

LDI? Bundled or unbundled? Member investment options? The decisions trustee boards need to make are seemingly endless. Alongside the many key strategic decisions, it should also be remembered that trustees’ responsibilities are to:

The release of PADA’s long-awaited discussion document on investment arrangements shows a body ready to address key ownership issues, says Tom Powdrill

We all have friends who have been bickering for years, where the love is lost and they share no common interests. Everyone knows that a break-up is on the cards and the local publican is running a spread bet of between one and five years.

Diversified growth funds (DGFs) can invest in a more diverse range of asset classes than traditional managed funds. In the previous article we discussed how these new balanced funds failed investors in 2008.

With yields on corporate bonds at 7%, is that an opportunity for investors, or should it be approached with caution?

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

American Century Investments has appointed Tom Douie as vice-president of its London office.

Eversheds, the international law firm, has hired pensions specialist Jay Doraisamy.

PS Independent Trustees Limited (PSITL) has hired Mark Homer to its team of professional trustees.