A product that manages the assets of pension schemes until full funding is reached has been launched by Mercer.

A few weeks ago, the national press was dominated by how big certain people’s pensions are. Ministers’ pensions, judges’ pensions, not to mention a certain Mr Goodwin.

The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA) has called for interested parties to its investment strategy to provide evidence supporting their theories.

A laptop containing the personal details of thousands of members of a multi-employer pension scheme has been stolen from the office of its software provider.

An eight-step action plan must be urgently implemented to help companies avoid further pensions burdens, according to an influential employers organisation.

Northern Foods expects the deficit of its defined benefit (DB) scheme to be eliminated within eight years after introducing a clutch of changes.

Specialist retailer Mothercare has closed its pension scheme to new members and has opened a defined contribution arrangement after its triennial valuation.

A group of pension funds has launched a range of fresh initiatives to increase long-term returns by improving the governance of company boards.

The planned tax relief cuts on pension contributions for people earning over £150,000 could encourage employers to level down into personal accounts.

The lifestyle strategy needs significant improvement if it is to meet the needs of a rapidly growing defined contribution (DC) population, according to an actuarial firm.

Defined benefit (DB) pension liabilities are putting UK businesses at a competitive disadvantage compared to their counterparts in Europe, according to research.

Trustees are being urged to invest in property with long-term leases and built-in rental increases that provide bond-like returns.

Pension actuaries must consider stricter independence requirements and seek professional quality assurance requirements, according to the Professional Oversight Board.

The Global Investor Confidence Index rose by 3.1 points in May from the revised April reading of 103.2, according to State Street Global Investors.

conference: The first FT buyout and derisking conference attracted experts from across the industry keen to debate the latest issues and explore possible solutions for the future

Analysis: A consultation will soon kick-start the essential overhaul of the LGPS, says David Rowley, but which of the many ideas discussed so far the government will go for remains to be see.

For those of you following the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority’s (PADA) activities, you will know that the responses to the consultation ‘Building personal accounts: securing a retirement income’ have been published.

Pension scheme members need access to good quality information to be able to make informed decisions about their pension arrangements. This is particularly true for defined contribution (DC) plans, where the risk of delayed investment of contributions, poor investment performance and poor annuity rates fall upon the member.

No one in the pensions business could have failed to notice the important changes to pensions tax relief set out in the Budget.

Changes in the US governance regime are likely to see the introduction of a shareholder ‘say on pay’ for executives, says Tom Powdrill, as well as the right to nominate directors.

As Yes, Prime Minister’s Sir Humphrey Appleby said of Jim Hacker: “He has his own car, a nice house in London, a place in the country, endless publicity and a pension for life. What more does he want?”

If you want to shape your organisation’s destiny, seizing control of your finances could be the first step. Your finance system should have the power to set your company’s strategy, rather than thwart it.

In the current climate, pension funds are keen to close the gap between assets and liabilities, and a risk-based funding framework can help them to achieve a greater affiliation, says Joe Moody

Spence & Partners, a consulting firm covering Scotland and Northern Ireland, has appointed Ian Campbell as director responsible for actuarial services.

Brookfield Asset Management has appointed Leo van den Thillart as managing partner, private institutional equity, to be based in London.

Jardine Lloyd Thompson Private Clients has appointed Paul Kiely as a senior consultant, based in London.

Psolve Asset Solutions has brought in three new members to its risk management team, in response to growing demand for risk solutions.