Is Standard Life’s recent conversion of a ‘significant client’ from a group stakeholder to a group Sipp arrangement the shape of things to come?

Beefing up the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) is at the top of Chris Grayling’s agenda, as well as pledging to investigate different mechanisms that could help employers keep final salary schemes open.

Towry Law has withdrawn from the Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA) over a row about commission, qualifications and capital requirements.

Industry experts have called for pension providers to simplify products, in an attempt to counter a growing aversion to annuities.

More than 1.5 million people aged 55 plus believe they will have to work past the state retirement age because of lack of pension savings, while 18.75 million UK investors are missing out on tax relief from pension funds, according to Scottish Widows research.

“Proposals to make adviser charges independent of insurance companies are essential reforms to increase consumer trust. We expect this improved transparency to raise the standard of advice available to consumers.”

While research shows that the average executive can retire at age 60 on a final salary pension worth more than £3m, the Confederation of British Insurers (CBI) has hit back at Trades Union Congress (TUC) claims of unfair “gold-plated pensions”.

The Pensions Regulator’s revised clearance guidance has been slammed as a “predictable development, which gives the regulator greater opportunities to poke its nose into all manner of corporate activity”.

A risk consulting company has added its support to covenant-driven investment (CDI), saying it is vital trustees and sponsors have a more open dialogue, and declaring the strategy as a growing market.

Against a background of ongoing market uncertainty, fuelled by the fallout from the US subprime mortgage crisis, can emerging markets withstand the ongoing market volatility? And can this asset class continue to deliver the consistently strong returns that investors have come to expect? Topical questions, and on both counts our view remains positive.

Aberdeen Property Investors has set out its plans for the next year, which include launching a Russia fund, an Asian fund-of-funds, and increasing exposure in Asia and continental Europe.

A year after Close Investments launched, the firm has unveiled ambitious plans for the next 12 months, and told PM of the need for lower-priced alternative assets for pension funds.

The steady stream of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) launching in the UK shows no sign of slowing down, with Lyxor Asset Management the latest provider to unveil new products.

Resolution Asset Management is launching two European equity funds, to take advantage of inefficient stock markets and increasingly shareholder-friendly companies in Europe.

The currency management industry has experienced a period of rapid growth. Current estimates of industry assets under management range from $650bn (£325bn) to $1trn (£500bn), having doubled over the last three to five years.

A leading figure at Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) has called the current climate of global custody an “arms race”, with the big players increasingly desperate to steal a march on their competitors.

Local authority pension fund managers are shunning equity investment in favour of alternative assets, according to rese-arch by Fidelity International.

Cofunds, the adviser platform that rigidly adhered to a fund supermarket approach, has decided it is time to expand its offering in the increasingly competitive platform market.

Demand is growing for self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) to hold protected rights funds, according to Premier Pension Service (PPS), the JLT-owned Sipp and small self-administered scheme provider.

A key industry figure has claimed the Liberal Democrats’ plan to do away with higher rate tax relief on pension contributions is “irresponsible”.

Pension scheme administrators have been warned by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) they must be ready for mandatory e-filing of pension schemes on October 16.

The pensions administration market is ablaze with acquisition activity as Capita Hartshead continues in its ambition to eat up its competitors, and BlackRock moves to bring its administration partner in-house.

The bulk buyout (BBO) market has grown from a duopoly to at least 12 providers in less than two years, according to PM research.

The life and pensions industry must clean up its act on pension transfers or face censure, according to senior industry commentators.

While online marches on as a highly effective communications channel, I would advise restraint when it comes to moving all pensions communication over to electronic formats (The time warp trap, PM August 2007). Email and the internet are undoubtedly useful for real time access to statements and details of pensions arrangements, but the pensions industry would be wise not to discount the importance of paper just yet.

The Pensions Act 2007 came into being on July 26, 2007. The changes being made by this act are good news for many, particularly those on low earnings, but also those people (such as carers) who have no earnings at all.

Fierce competition in the pensions industry means the speed at which fresh products are launched can play a critical role in deciding a company’s rank among the providers

I’m getting pretty much into listening to the radio again these days and it seems I’m not the only one. A number of newspaper reports lately have focused on the resurgence of the radio, particularly as so many of the new ‘radio’ stations are broadcasting over the internet. The phenomenon of broadcasting by podcasting rather than through the airwaves is really taking off it seems.

People’s aspirations is just one reason why retirement is becoming more expensive, and the government has had to act to ensure the financial security of the next generation of pensioners

Ruth Emery talks to Craig MacDonald about recent movements in the market, the problems caused by US mortgage shortfalls, sitting on a beach and his current top investment tip

Commuting small pensions for a cash sum can be beneficial to pensioners and administrators, but reducing limitations could be a useful tool in encouraging people to save

After just two years as an MP, Danny Alexander has been catapulted into the complex pensions arena. He talks to Owen Walker about the Lib Dem line on citizen pensions and ensuring fairness

Spencer Anderson meets Tony Hobman and discovers the twists and turns his career has taken along and interesting path that has finally led to leadership at the still new Pensions Regulator

This month sees a direction come into force to deal with the transfer of local authority employees pensions and benefits to contractors, but how will they be fairly executed?

The increasingly competitive custody market is undergoing a massive period of change, in part due to M&A activity and staff retention issues

Private sector defined benefit pensions are under pressure from factors such as longevity and auto-enrolment. So how will DB need to change to survive?

Trustees are being increasingly lured towards pooled funds, both as a way of diversifying their portfolios and as a method of accessing specific areas of expertise

Choosing to outsource the top pensions role can work well under the right circumstances if the best fit manager is selected

Although on the surface it may seem a complex process to outsource a pensions manager role, this case study proves how simple it can be

As increased responsibility leaves trustees feeling the heat, liability insurance products across the board have witnessed a surge in interest

Six months on, what has been the impact of Sipp regulation?

Increasing the value of existing business and customer retention are hot topics in the life and pensions industry, and companies need to develop a strategy to enable them to achieve one without losing sight of the other

The long-term appeal of university infrastructure is beginning to catch investors’ eyes as they focus on higher education as an asset class

Volatility may be portrayed as a disaster, but it can also provide opportunities to diversify funds

The Personal Accounts Deli-very Authority has recruited a second industry heavyweight in the shape of former Trades Union Congress (TUC) president Jeannie Drake.

Mercer Human Resource Consulting’s David Johnson has joined ProTrust as a consulting director to head up the trustee search and selection firm’s expansion plans.

Andrea Bull has charged into Sacker & Partners as a pensions specialist, leaving Wragge & Co behind her.