Industry News

Latest news headlines for the Pension industry

Annual funding statement: helping trustees understand the regulator's expectations
The Pensions Regulator has today published its first annual funding statement to provide guidance on how pension scheme funding valuations should be approached in today's challenging economic environment

Consultations on case team and Determinations Panel procedures
The Pensions Regulator has today published for consultation the procedure that its case teams follow to bring a case to the regulator's Determinations Panel (the Panel).

Auto enrolment update for key industry professionals
More than 100,000 independent financial advisers, accountants and HR professionals are being contacted by The Pensions Regulator advising them of their role in workplace pensions reform.

Men urged to buy annuity now
Brokers warn over the effect on pensions of European Court's gender-based pricing ruling

Q&A: Ask the pensions minister
Confused or concerned about what the government is doing to your pension? Put your question to Steve Webb, the minister for pensions.

Temporary annuities offer alternative
With annuity rates depressed – and now falling again – more pension savers are reluctant to lock into a lifetime annuity in case rates later recover

Dutch pensions giant APG exploring range of scenarios for Greek outcome
Asset manager to change asset mix or adopt 'more dynamic' investment policy in event of euro exit.

Asset managers wary of contagion from Greek exit
Yet they disagree on global economy's ability to recover from such an event.

Danish pension funds defend investments in African bonds
Corporate watchdog DanWatch accuses 22 pension funds of making 'unethical' investments.

Greek Banks Downgraded Amid Markets Woe
<a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/euro-crisis-market-mayhem-downgrades-071123596--finance.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ZTi2UPZqBqJpUL98SyhwdA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_uk/News/skynews/16211283_400x240.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Greek Banks Downgraded Amid Markets Woe" align="left" title="Greek Banks Downgraded Amid Markets Woe" border="0" /></a>Rating agency Fitch has downgraded five Greek banks, as the FTSE 100 takes a hit over expanding eurozone uncertainty.

World stocks erase year's gain; Brent at 2012 low
<a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/asia-shares-fall-steeply-worries-over-spain-banks-004219361--finance.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/tgSxraRRs80XyYTS9uzDCg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2012-05-18T193556Z_1_CBRE84H1GBQ00_RTROPTP_2_MARKETS-EUROPE-STOCKS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Traders talk each other at the Madrid Bourse" align="left" title="Traders talk each other at the Madrid Bourse" border="0" /></a>NEW YORK (Reuters) - World stocks erased the year's gains on Friday as investors fled risky investments for safe-haven assets on concerns about the euro zone's deepening debt woes, while U.S. stocks lost ground after the debut of Facebook's failed to ignite optimism. Brent crude closed at its lowest in 2012 as the euro zone crisis raised fears of a global slowdown that could dent oil demand, while German borrowing costs hit record lows. World stocks, as measured by the MSCI index, dropped 1. ...

Eurozone crisis drives stocks lower despite Facebook frenzy
<a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/eurozone-crisis-drives-down-stocks-g8-090819112--finance.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/jhJvHFA4KrNHtNNNuH_BFg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_GB/News/AFP/photo_1337359124332-5-0.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="A television anchor stands in front of screens showing the start of trading in Facebook shares at the NASDAQ" align="left" title="A television anchor stands in front of screens showing the start of trading in Facebook shares at the NASDAQ" border="0" /></a>World stock markets fell again in nervous trade on Friday and the euro hit a new four-month low against the dollar as ratings agencies further downgraded Greek and Spanish banks.

Useful Links

The Pensions Regulator
http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/

Pension Protection Fund
www.ppf.gov.uk

The Trustee Toolkit
www.trusteetoolkit.com

Department for Work and Pensions
www.dwp.gov.uk

National Pensions Debate
www.dwp.gov.uk/debate/

Financial Assistance Scheme
www.dwp.gov.uk/fas

Financial Reporting Council
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fas

Financial Services Authority
www.fsa.gov.uk

Money Made Clear (FSA)
http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pensions

The Pensions Advisory Service
www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk

The Pensions Ombudsman
www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk

Government Actuary's Department
www.gad.gov.uk

Government online
www.direct.gov.uk

The Pension Service
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

Link to the Pensions Act 2004:

www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk

International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS)
www.iopsweb.org

Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors
www.ceiops.org

Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors - conference, November 2006
www.ceiops-conference.org

HM Revenue & Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes

and of course:

The European Pension Fund Investment Forum
http://www.epfif.com