The Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan has dismissed the idea that a large swathe of people in arrears are strategic defaulters.

ACC Bank marketed borrow-to-invest tracker bonds as low-risk to hundreds of Irish customers despite being aware of concerns by the financial regulator, actuaries and within the bank itself about such products, the commercial court was told yesterday.

While many grumble that suing for even minor accidents has become the norm, there are positive benefits as the attitudes of companies and bodies to safety improves hugely, writes Dan Buckley

A BUDGET provision that will allow cash-starved pension schemes to purchase annuities invested in Irish government bonds could be a ‘win-win’ situation for both scheme members and the state’s finances.

A LEADING pensions expert has called for a radically new approach to pension funding to deal with crisis.

EMPLOYERS’ group IBEC has called for an urgent review of pension rules and has warned of the death of many defined benefit schemes if funding standards – put in place by the Pensions Board – are not altered.

THE chairman of Irish Life & Permanent, Gillian Bowler, has announced a number of board resignation and other key changes within the board structure.

AS MUCH as €30 billion has been wiped off the value of Irish pension funds over the past year and a half, according to the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF), representing the biggest losses ever recorded.

National Irish Bank (NIB) has today announced the appointment of Dr Ronnie O’Toole to the newly-created position of chief economist.

A “FUNDAMENTAL” examination of the requirements in the event of the winding up of pension schemes has been called for by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland.

A CHANGE in the retirement age from 65 to 70 or 75 is unrealistic and socially unacceptable, according to VHI chief executive Vincent Sheridan.

PAYMENT rates to defined contribution pension schemes will have to be addressed immediately a leading actuary warned yesterday.

The head of the Society of Actuaries says Ireland must re-consider its views on ageing, retirement and pensions.

The Minister for Social Welfare has ruled out out any rise in the retirement age.

Raising the retirement age to 75 would be the most effective way of avoiding a pensions crisis in Ireland, it was claimed today.

The message emanating from the Society of Actuaries of Ireland yesterday is a salutary warning that the future looks anything but rosy for those with hopes of early retirement if they are depending on a Defined Contribution pension plan.

Deaths from suicides and road accidents are now having a greater impact on the male population in Ireland than deaths from cancer, according to a new report.