The formal consultation period for the PPF’s levy charging structure has begun, with a better reflection of risks posed by each scheme at its heart

The UK buyout market is set to follow the lead of the US market through the use of speedier transactions, according to MetLife Assurance.

The government’s proposals to change section 75 rules could encourage employers to dump their final salary schemes, thereby upsetting unions, according to a senior lawyer.

The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA) is gearing up to assume full executive powers with the royal assent of the pensions bill.

The prospect of plummeting annuity rates has seen a surge of investors locking into currently favourable rates, while also investing in drawdown.

UK workers would be more likely to save if they were able to access their savings earlier than current regulations allow.

With the extension of swap lines to major emerging economies, and following the recent G20 meeting, a coordinated stabilisation and decline of the dollar is now likely.

Despite the high levels of attrition in the markets, one American firm is on a quest to break into Europe and raise the profile of private equity among institutional and private clients.

PILinvests has launched Private Opportunities in Property, to allow Sipp and SSAS investors access to Valad Property Group’s European funds.

Fund managers have come under increasing pressure to improve their environmental and social credentials following the latest investor responsibility league tables published by FairPensions.

Negative sentiment currently dominates the equity markets. Retail investors are exiting them throughout Europe (and the world) as the credit crunch continues to destabilise the financial system. Such investors have seen a ferocious bear pursuing them, and their running is an instinctive and understandable response. However, for those with the means and mettle to stick around, a new (but promising) landscape is taking shape.

Employer debts to schemes in wind-up could rise after a High Court judgment found that trustees can manipulate the process to maximise income.

Pension funds are moving out of equities to aid diversification and minimise the impact of market volatility.

Schemes seeking to reduce deficits should consider funding plans related to the performance of their sponsor, according to a consulting actuary.

AWD Chase de Vere Wealth Management has been fined £1.12m for mis-selling pensions transfers, annuities and income withdrawal business.

Winterthur is the latest insurance company to deliver a new offering into the highly competitive self-invested personal pension (Sipp) market.

With interest rates falling, there are many people hoping this will be reflected in the cost of their mortgages.

This october will go down in history as memorable for the chaos caused by the collapse of global banking firms and the impact on world stock markets.

Gathering and interpreting appropriate management data is of great importance to Sipp providers, who cannot measure performance or identify risk without it

According to an online survey I’ve just read on a BBC website, clichés like ‘at the end of the day’, ‘24/7’ and ‘literally’ are among the most reviled by respondents. Is that interesting or what? I picked a few examples of irritating clichés out of the survey for your information, so you can read them yourselves:

The daily running of the PPF has been a gargantuan task for Partha Dasgupta, but as he tells Owen Walker, changing many people’s lives has been worth the hard work and criticism

Jean-François Schmitt, CEO of Sinopia UK, HSBC Global Asset Management, speaks to Owen Walker about the joys of a cautious modus operandi and his love of all things statistical

The Pensions Regulator’s recent guidance on calculating transfer values could have wide-ranging consequences for schemes, placing yet more pressure on trustees

As investors and their advisers continue to size up Sipps and SSASs, how are providers holding up after a year of financial turmoil and regulatory changes?

For family units and business owners, the SSAS is still the number one choice of pension scheme

SSASs appear to have been left in a trail of dust by Sipps, but several nuances mean they still offer valuable opportunities for many investors

Although the SSAS is often overlooked in favour of the more popular Sipp, it can offer companies greater efficiency and flexibility

DC default plans may not be perfect, but for the majority they offer the best returns, and are a safer option than allowing members to actively manage their own investments

Pensions Management was given exclusive access to the first global leaders forum to be hosted by a rejuvenated Friends Provident. Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer (CEO), delivered a speech on behalf of senator Nick Sherry, the equivalent of James Purnell in the Australian government, before chairing a discussion with senior employee benefit consultants on some of the issues the minister had raised. To receive a copy of the speech, email christine.o’grady@friendsprovident.co.uk.

Pádraig Floyd reveals the winners at this year’s Pensions and Investment UK Awards and explains the reasons behind their success

Far from resting on its laurels, Global Investment House is taking full advantage of the market downturn to grow and develop a powerful private equity business in the Gulf region

Pádraig Floyd: What is your view of the position of the self-invested personal pension (Sipp) market?

While the winners beam with pride and the losers seek ways to pull up their collective socks, industry voices are calling for far better technology, admin and services

New balanced funds offer investors access to a wider array of asset classes than ever before, but it’s their single-manager approach that will most appeal to trustees

Trustees considering buyout as a way of reducing scheme investment need to ensure they are fully aware of the legal implications

Penny Green has been announced as the new chairman of the Raising Standards in Pensions Administration (RSPA) project.

The Association of Member-directed Pension Schemes (AMPS) has elected its new committee, with Robert Graves of Rowanmoor Pensions taking over as chairman from Winterthur’s Mike Morrison.

Hymans Robertson has appointed Mike Taylor, chief executive of the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA), as a non-executive director of its longevity research firm, Club Vita.