Proposals that would change the basis of calculating member benefits at public sector pension schemes have provoked an angry backlash from the unions.

Several UK pension schemes are considering moving their country of registration to avoid the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) levy.

Major pension reforms are needed, and while a pensions crisis cannot be remedied overnight, there is much that can and should be done immediately, says Steve Webb

State Street Global Advisers (SSGA) is believed to the first provider to launch a pooled liability solution specifically designed for small-to-medium-sized defined benefit pension schemes.

Brown Shipley, the private bank that provides wealth management services for high net worth private clients, is selling its corporate group pension scheme business to SBJ Group.

The Occupational Pension Defence Union (Opdu), has announced new cover to protection to professional trustees and advisers against the vagaries of wind-up situations. Details are yet to be finalised, but it is thought to cover liabilities such as missing beneficiaries.

Ashmore Investment Manage-ment has been awarded a £65m mandate from the ICI Pension Fund and a further £5m from the ICI Speciality Chemicals Pension Fund for emerging market debt.

With the Insurance Mediation Directive coming into effect from January of this year, Clerical Medical has launched a service to help advisers with the issues of professional indemnity insurance (PII).

Pinder Fry and Benjamin (PFB) has launched a guaranteed hedge fund investment aimed at both the retail and institutional markets.

Winterthur Life has added an Islamic fund to their defined contribution range. The HSBC Amanah Global Equity Index Fund invests in a fully diversified equity portfolio and has been introduced to meet a growing demand from group clients for a fund that is compatible with Shariah law.

I think I’ve spotted a bit of a trend with the way occupational pension schemes are going – they’re either closing or they’re cutting the value of the benefits they offer to employees. I don’t want to worry anybody, but my extensive research in the popular press leads me to no other conclusion.

Employers need to start thinking about their scheme-specific funding requirement early, according to a leading pensions

Companies moving to flexible benefits (flex) structure as part of their preparations for pensions simplification are worrying about four key issues, according to software provider 4th Contact.

Pension simplification could boost the number of self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) to nearly 2 million, according to research from employee benefits provider Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT).

Butterfield Private Bank has organised a series of seminars to help advisers prepare for pensions simplification.

With increasing life expectancy, a low birth rate and retiring baby boomers, we have an ageing population.

Thomsons Online Benefits, developer of online integrated benefits solution, Perquisite, has announced it will undergo a £5m management buyout from European independent financial services group AWD plc.

Standard Life has overhauled its ifazone adviser extranet and relaunched it as adviserzone at www.adviserzone.com.

Standard Life has also launched Protection Online in its Lifetime Protection Series. The product allows electronic business to be conducted and it can import data from Assureweb, Exchange, Webline or its own adviserzone. Advisers who complete all business online can also benefit from up to 20% commission uplift. Standard Life also claims that it has the first online money laundering check that accesses electoral roles via Equifax, greatly speeding up the application process.

David Willetts, shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, tells Gregor Watt that the main target for reshaping pension provision is means-testing and the basic state pension

Nigel Aston takes a look at the evolution of the Australian benefits system and what we in the UK can learn from it

As the popularity of self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) continues to grow and equity market conditions improve, so the trustee investment plan (Tip) market has also continued to show steady gains.

For the wealthier, more sophisticated pension investor, the biggest drive away from commission and towards fee-based remuneration for pension advisers will come from Sipps, says Colin Bannister

There is growing disquiet with the state of investment strategy in defined contribution pension schemes and a new member-focused approach is needed, says Charl Cronje

All segments of the financial industry would benefit from an informed and empowered consumer, say Gael Armstrong (left) and Lindsay Tomlinson

Insurance is one of those things in life that, much like one’s partner, you just can’t live without, however much, at times, you think you might like to.

Part of the trouble is that it always seems so expensive, with premiums increasing exponentially year on year. As the average customer cannot acquaint these hikes with their own claims history, they put them down to usury rather than prudence on the part of the insurance community. That is until you make a claim. Then it seems not only perfectly reasonable, but the decision to insure demonstrates your professionalism and a little more than your fair share of wisdom and foresight.

Today’s trustees need protection against the risks and costs associated with regulation and reputation, as well as the risks of legal liability, says Jonathan Bull

The civil partnership act will give legal rights to same sex couples. Helen Parrott (right) and Jane Wolstenholme explain the pensions implications

The focus of the pension bill seems to be wholly on knowing the documentation, agreements and the law. There is little or no focus on the practicalities of delivering a service to members, says John Reeve

One particular issue that has raised a great deal of interest in the Finance Act 2004 is the alternatively secured pension (ASP) concept. Many life offices and advisers, along with their clients, are getting excited about this, but Andy Bell says he has some reservations

Peter Williams, head of industry development at Aegon UK, answers this month’s G60 question on the protection options available to those in existing pensions who may not benefit from pensions simplification

Individuals are beginning to get excited about pensions. The catalyst for this is increased investment flexibility, especially with the option to invest in residential property, and the option for lifetime drawdown with the ability to leave the pension fund for the benefit of the family, says William Burrows

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has made two new appointments to the board of directors.

Law firm Nabarro Nathanson has strengthened its pensions team, with the appointment of Ian Greenstreet to the position of partner.

Joanne Segars has been appointed as director of policy at the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).

Bestrustees has made three new appointments to its pool of independent trustees. Miles Buckinghamshire, Mike Duncombe and Peter Murray bring the total number of independent trustees at Bestrustees to 12.