Massive disruption to the UK’s postal system followed union members’ decision to protest against cost cuts to postal workers’ benefits

Mike O’Brien has defended the government’s open market option (OMO) review after criticism from some quarters of the industry that it has not gone far enough.

State Second Pension (S2P)

The chancellor’s plans to make unused inheritance tax (IHT) nil-rate bands transferable has been broadly welcomed by the industry, though the Treasury has been criticised for not removing “unnecessarily punitive” IHT.

These cynical stunts should not detract from the fact it was the day when the economic chickens came home to roost. Growth is down, borrowing is up, the spending rate is down and overall taxes are likely to go up. What a mess after 10 years in office.

Suffolk Life has reacted to proposed regulatory changes by launching a new self-invested personal pension (Sipp) product to take advantage of protected rights money.

Recent warnings from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) about the suitability of self-invested personal pension (Sipp) sales should be rein-forced with clearer definitions, according to some industry commentators.

Dentons has introduced amendments to its deed to enable clients of any age to transfer into its self-invested personal pension (Sipp)

Bond markets saw high volatility over the summer and the contagion effect from delinquencies on US subprime mortgage loans rippled through global markets, unsettling investors of all shapes and sizes.

F&C has taken top honours in a survey from FairPensions as number one fund manager for environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and practices among the UK’s 20 largest UK fund managers.

China and India will continue to be home to strong investment opportunities, but inves­tors should be wary of Japan following the subprime crisis.

Emerging markets will account for one-third of world markets by 2017, according to Percival Stanion, head of asset allocation at Baring Asset Management.

As the choice of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) expands in the UK and Europe, providers are witnessing an increase in usage by small and medium-sized pension funds. Pension fund managers are recognising the clear benefits of using ETFs as an essential tool for diversification into new markets and as an efficient investment for portfolio construction, asset allo­cation and managing risk.

Last month’s pre-Budget report (PBR) announcements met with mixed reactions from the pensions industry.

Mike O’Brien has defended the Treasury’s decision not to change tax rules to encourage third way annuities, in the face of heavy criticism from within the industry.

Royal Mail is not the only organisation where the pension scheme remains the primary cause of conflict between employer and unions (see Royal Mail story on page 4).

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled mandatory state retirement age is not discriminatory, a decision which could set a precedent across Europe.

Jardine Lloyd Thompson is aggressively pursuing growth in its pensions administration and software services business.

Confidence in company pensions has dropped, while faith in bricks and mortar as a source of retirement income has shot up, new research has shown.

Investment consultants have come under fire for failing to research all of the managers in the market, and not spending enough resources or time on finding the best products.

Service delivery to the intermediate market has been patchy at best in the past, with standards dropping to pretty damn awful a lot of the time.

Yes, it’s nearly that time again.

The contents page in Pension Scheme Deficits reads like a who’s who in the pension industry. Steven Hull from Ashurst, Stephen Yeo of Watson Wyatt, Hewitt Associates’ Kevin Wesbroom, even PR Sally Ling from GR Communications pops up.

The Northern Rock fiasco has highlighted the fact that the security of investments depends a great deal on where they are held.

How can information technology reduce churn for life assurance and pension providers? The tools do exist, but few are yet to implement them correctly

They say that when you see the future it kind of comes to you in a flash. Like you’re just going about your normal business and “Woof!” this insight just comes from nowhere. I know a bit about this as it’s happened to me once or twice – nothing helpful like lottery numbers, but you know, I’m not complaining, and it’s not as if you get a choice of the sneak preview you’re in for. It’s just a random insight, a piece of the jigsaw, that sort of thing.

There are a number of issues regarding pensions that will need to be tackled in the coming year. Now that an election is some way off, it’s time to start dealing with the points

UK pension funds seem to have a relatively small exposure to emerging markets equities, which could be unwise considering the investment potential of this fast-growing arena

Owen Walker meets John Jory, deputy chief executive of B&CE, and talks about his plans for the future and how things have changed after more than 40 years in the pensions business

Most people would struggle to find too many similarities between Glasgow and Trinidad & Tobago, but Martin Potter not only found them but they convinced him to make the switch.

Ruth Emery talks to Lucy MacDonald about her investment style, how Apple was a good deal to get into and why satellite communications could be worth keeping an eye on

The intricacies of the financial stability framework is something that many struggle to understand, let alone analyse and develop. But modelling for market behaviour has to constantly evolve

Having become MP for Epsom and Ewell in 2001, Chris Grayling is now shadow secretary of state for work and pensions. He talks to Ruth Emery about how the Conservatives see the future

The government shoulders much of the blame for the state of pension provision in the UK. But many employers are protecting directors’ generous benefits, while reducing that of their employees

In a market clamouring for new and different products, the solution may lie in the variety and flexibility of the third way annuities on offer

Increasing life expectancy and the more active roles of pensioners mean the right retirement decisions are more important than ever

PM’s annual awards for technology, administration and service is an opportunity to applaud and be inspired by innovation within the industry. Here, Pádraig Floyd outlines the attributes that set the winners apart from the rest

People’s Choice aimed to find the firm advisers thought offered the best package of technology, administration and service

Workplace advice will soon be delivered to employees through platform technology, which should provide benefits to many people

Along with the rest of the developed world, the UK is experiencing unprecedented rates of improving longevity. But what are the implications?

Cash is growing in importance in UK pension schemes. It is meant to be the simplest asset class, yet is more complex than many realise

The tax rules on transferring pension benefits overseas have been simplified. Here’s a rundown

The government has appointed Tim Jones as chief executive of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA).

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has hired Chris Pond to the new role of director of financial capability.

Marino Valensise has become chief investment officer at Barings, taking over from Michael Hughes, who will act as a consultant with the company until his retirement at the end of the year.