Finland

FINLAND - Nokia Pension Fund is to transfer the statutory pension liability of Nokia and Nokia Siemens networks in Finland to the pension insurance companies Ilmarinen and Varma in March 2008.

FINLAND - Proposals to amend the corporate structure and strategy of telecoms operator Elisa have been opposed by Finland's largest private sector pension insurers.

FINLAND - The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has awarded two socially responsible European equity mandates worth €60m (US$88.9m).

FINLAND - Finnish investment institutions have invested in nickel and copper projects in North Finland, run by Candandian based firm Scandinavian Minerals.

FINLAND - Allocations to hedge funds by pension and pension-related funds have doubled since the start of the year, the latest statistics from the Finish Pension Alliance (TELA) have shown.

FINLAND - Two large pension insurance companies have become major investors in chemicals group, Kemira Oyj, after the state sold its shares in the firm.

FINLAND - The State Pensions Fund (VER) posted a return of 7% over 2006, with assets totalling over €10bn at year end.

FINLAND - Three of Europe's largest pension funds have invested equal capital in a new and customised property fund launched by Aberdeen Property Investors.

FINLAND - People are still retiring far too early in Finland despite efforts to push back the retirement age by two to three years, the Finnish Centre for Pensions (Eläketurvakeskus/ETK) has found.

FINLAND - The Finnish pension industry has welcomed proposed changes to real estate laws but vowed not to give up on the establishment of a Finnish Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) model.