NORWAY - The municipality of Skedsmo has awarded the contract for its occupational pension scheme to Storebrand, while three other kommunes have re-tendered their pension contracts.

Skedsmo Kommune tendered the NOK200m (€22.1m) contract in July 2008 for a provider to run its occupational pension scheme, in line with the rules of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities. (See earlier IPE article: AFP contributions rose 12.4% in 2007)

Following submissions from three providers, Skedsmo confirmed it had appointed Storebrand to the two-year contract.

The agreement follows recent appointments from other Norwegian local authorities after a number of scheme contracts came up for re-tender in the same period last year, with Storebrand also awarded contracts by Storfjord and Kongsvinger, while KLP took the mandates from Eidsvoll and Meland, and Ski kommune appointed vital Forsikring. (See earlier IPE articles: Ski and Meland appoint pension providers and Norwegian municipalities award pension mandates)

Three other Norwegian municipalities are meanwhile offering the management of their local authority pension schemes up for tender - Risør kommune, Vadsø Kommune and Eigersund kommune.

Risør and Vadsø are both offering NOK30m contracts, for an initial period of two years beginning on 1 January 2010, in line with main tariff agreement in the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities.

And Eigersund is seeking a one-year framework agreement in accordance with the main tariff agreement in the KS tariff area to include regulations for early retirement and regulations for public occupational pension for the employees in the municipality.

The closing date for the Risør and Vadsø contracts is 24 July 2009, with further information available from Aon Norway, while the deadline for Eigersund submissions is 14 September 2009, and additional details can be obtained from the kommune via Waco Forsikringsmegling AS.

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