RSA's bid for part of Aviva's general insurance business could still happen but only if the offer is raised by around 10%, according to shareholder Ignis.

France has reduced its economic growth forecast for 2011 by 0.5% to 2% following a meeting between President Sarkozy and top finance ministers.

Close Asset Management is currently researching the possibility of creating a QROPS product for British expatriates living in the US.

MC Trustees has launched its MCT Malta Private Retirement Scheme on Ascentric - the first QROPS to be launched on a UK wrap platform.

Independent pension policy adviser Ros Altmann is urging the Government to overhaul and simplify the system of basic state pensions and pensioners' benefits.

Variable annuity sales rose by 34% to £445m in the first half of 2010 compared to H2 of 2009, according to research from Towers Watson.

Tim Geithner, US Treasury Secretary, has revealed the Government will continue to guarantee mortgages to minimize the risk of housing-led recessions in future.

The recession has reduced the time left for 'AAA' rated states including the UK to avert sovereign debt crises as their populations age, Moody's warns.

Chairman of Aviva Lord Sharman said today the rejection of a buyout bid from RSA was an undisputed board decision.

ABI acting director general Maggie Craig says the Government must rethink the way it calculates employer contributions to NEST.