The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has attacked the 2% initial charge to be levied by the Nest Corporation as a “raw deal” for savers and would encourage employees to opt out of the scheme.

An FSA investigation into the charging practices of several Sipp providers has highlighted issues around protectionism and fairness to customers

The Pension Protection Fund’s (PPF) 7800 Index, which tracks the aggregate funding position of the UK’s defined benefit (DB) schemes, reported a surplus for the first time since June 2008.

Logica CMG is set to become the first FTSE 250 employer to offer its employees contributions into a pension as well as an ISA.

Several administrative trustees for small self-administered schemes (SSASs) are seeking damages from the Pensions Regulator after they were suspended, then reinstated.

Advisers who do not fully understand the pensions transfer system they use are in danger of choosing inappropriate products for their clients, Prudential has cautioned.

An association has been formed with the aim of clarifying and establishing best practice for the often blurry fiduciary management industry.

Why are the Liberal Democrats suddenly a political force to be reckoned with? It’s certainly not down to their pensions manifesto.

Scheme professionals have urged caution over using active and multi-asset investment strategies within defined contribution (DC) plans.

A third of trustees, managers and sponsors believe active management is “not suitable” for pension funds, a survey has revealed.

Oil sands extraction, the controversial mining practice employed in Canada by BP and others, will remain high on the corporate governance agenda for the foreseeable future.

the demand for commodities and the overall trend of investor appetite has grown significantly over the past five to 10 years. There are five main reasons behind this demand.

Three more suspects could face prosecution as part of the GP Noble fraud investigation, a preliminary hearing for the two accused trustees has heard.

The UK’s first multi-asset defined contribution (DC) benchmark has launched, providing schemes with an accurate reflection of market performance to develop their default funds.

A pensions risk measurement tool currently in contract negotiations with 70 employers has entered into an exclusive deal with State Street.

Anton van Nunen, a Dutch consultant, quite literally wrote the book on fiduciary management – the portfolio outsourcing strategy that has taken the Netherlands by storm, but which has so far seen a slow start in the UK. And he has finally said what’s been on people’s minds for some time.

Legal & General (L&G) is launching its first employer-funded retirement benefit scheme (EFRBS) with a “household name” construction company.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for an overhaul of “unsustainable” public sector pensions and suggested a notional defined contribution (NDC) model.

Prudential is under fire from other members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) for spoiling an initiative to block damaging tax changes to pensions.

The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has unveiled a coordinated vision for state and workplace pensions – its most ambitious research project for 10 years.

Last month, after a lengthy consultation period, the Department for Work and Pensions announced the planned charging structure for the National Employment Savings Trust (Nest).

The Centre for Retirement Reform, which launched earlier this year, has a clear vision for the changes it would like to see – and knows exactly which way to go to reach its goals

Here’s a question for you: do you know why the early refrigerators made in America were aerodynamic? No, well neither did I until it was explained to me. It’s quite a good question really when you think about it. I mean, those early fridges are great works of design, iconic even. It is true they were sleek and stylish with aerodynamic curves and all, but they were also attached to the wall by a few feet of power cable. In short, they weren’t going anywhere – so why aerodynamic?

The pensions minister highlights Labour’s past successes and lays out the government’s proposals for changes, from the mandatory retirement age to Nest.

Lothian Pension Fund’s head of investment Geik Drever discusses the challenges and advantages of managing money in-house, and its mission to be a top-performing scheme.

In the 1980s, banks began offering unrealistic financing to certain sectors, squeezing pension funds out of the lending market. But schemes are regaining a foothold

Old Mutual’s Stewart Cowley shares his frustrations with colleagues’ responses to the credit crunch, makes predictions for the future of currency bonds and reveals hidden orchestral talent.

As the market expands and the OMO gains traction, the enhanced annuity sector is widening its net to offer increasingly bespoke products to clients

The suitability of DC default funds is starting to be addressed by the industry, as trustees look for innovative and creative approaches to deliver their members’ retirement goals

Fiduciary management has caught on in global markets, but the UK is moving cautiously and taking its time in picking up on the trend

Leading law firms from the pensions sphere reveal the inner workings of their caseloads, and their views on what the courtroom might hold for schemes in 2010

The wrap market is certain to blossom this year, but its value, and whether it most benefits clients or advisers, remains to be seen.

Currency is a non-traditional field for pension funds, but those taking part are revitalising the market.

Kevin LeGrand has been elected president of the Society of Pensions Consultants (SPC) for a two-year term, effective from June 1.

Lady Barbara Judge’s appointment to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) could contradict the combined code of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), of which she was deputy chair.

Myles Rix has joined LV as actuarial and strategy director of its life and pensions business.
Rix brings more than 16 years’ experience in the life and health insurance industries. He was formerly with Aviva Health, where he was finance and commercial director.
In his new role, Rix will be responsible for the life and pensions actuarial pricing teams, the development of the wider life business unit strategy and will also contribute to group-wide initiatives.
This announcement follows the recent strengthening of LV’s life and pensions team, with the appointment of Mark Jones, head of protection; Liz Timms, head of retirement sales; Ian Bell, head of retirement, customer experience; and Lisa Mundy, head of protection, customer experience.