Is your pension a mousetrap?

Final salary pensioners are being urged to explore options to mitigate risks posed by the growing pension deficit threat, following reports of a potential cheese share-price war in the UK.

The warnings from Reece Fallaize, Global Technical Adviser at deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent advisory organisations, come after shares in Dairy Crest, makers of Cathedral City cheese, tumbled on Friday following reports that it could face increasingly strong competition from supermarket brands.

Mr Fallaize explains: “To plug a blackhole in its pension scheme, last year Dairy Crest put £60m worth of cheese into the fund. Therefore, pension members maybe negatively affected should the market value of cheese fall.

“Potentially, pension members may see the scheme’s funding decrease which in turn could lead the trustees of the scheme to make some amendments to members’ benefits to reduce the pension liabilities.”

He continues: “This example of how a possible cheese price war could hit retirees’ income should offer a wake-up call for all members of final schemes.

“Despite rising equity markets and global outlook looking relatively rosy, companies are still struggling to fund their pension schemes.

“The pension deficits for FTSE 350 companies reached an all-time high of £113bn at end of May 2014.

“It is important for pension members to understand exactly what represents a risk to their pensions and how these can be mitigated.

“In the same way people have their cars regularly serviced, it is now more important than ever that individuals seek independent advice on an annual basis to ensure that they fully understand their pensions and how much they are likely to receive in retirement.

“Regularly reviewing and taking action, where appropriate and possible to do so to keep on track with your financial planning strategy, will mean that you’re less likely to receive an unwelcome financial surprise when you come to retire.”

Another bad night’s sleep – free tips from the experts at TEMPUR

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London: Getting a good night’s sleep helps keep the immune system operating at optimum, according to new research from Carnegie Mellon University.

The research discovered the risk of catching a cold was trebled amongst those who didn’t get enough sleep. Those who spent less than 92% of their time in bed asleep were five-and-a-half times more likely to become ill than those who were asleep for at least 98% of their time in bed. It is thought that lack of quality sleep impairs the immune system and the body’s ability to fight off the viruses that cause colds and flu.

More than a third of people in the UK regularly have trouble sleeping and millions wake up every morning feeling worse than when they went to bed.

UK bed manufacturer, TEMPUR, has come up with a helpful guide on how to get a good night night’s sleep.

Written in association with sleep expert, Dr Chris Idzikowski, ‘The Good Sleep Guide’ is an easy-to-follow educational consumer sleep guide with lots of practical tips and tricks to get the best night’s sleep possible, including the perfect bedtime routine and advice on choosing the right mattress.

According to TEMPUR, 80% of shoppers spend less than two minutes trying mattresses on which they are likely to sleep around 3,000 hours a year**, yet the right mattress can make a world of difference to our nightÂ’s rest. For example, TEMPUR pressure-relieving mattresses have been shown in clinical trials to improve quality of sleep by reducing tossing and turning by 83%.

The ‘Good Sleep Guide’ is available free to consumers by calling 08000 111081 or emailing: sleepadvice@tempur.co.uk Further information is to follow, which I hope will be of interest for any relevant features you may be planning, however please do let me know if you need any additional information, images or copies of the guide.

he part of the brain which controls our emotions, moods, social interactions and decision making recovers from the strains of waking life during sleep. If allowed to, most young adults will sleep between seven and eight hours a night, but an unfortunate result of juggling work and family time, means that one in three of us get just five hours sleep a night.

Poor quality sleep is known to lead to problems with learning, memory, concentration and low mood. There are, however, a number of ways to help ensure you achieve the best night’s sleep possible. ‘The Good Sleep Guide’ is full of simple tips and tricks to help you get the perfect night’s rest, from ways to develop the right bedtime routine – including which foods will trigger sleep and which you should avoid – to creating the ideal sleeping environment.

Did you know that you will sleep better if the temperature of your bedroom is between 17 and 18 degrees and that you should avoid dim lighting in the bedroom as a quick transition between bright light and complete darkness triggers sleep? The guide also addresses common sleep problems and helps you get to grips with them by providing practical advice, including visualisation techniques which re-focus your mind away from day-to-day stresses and prepare your mind for sleep.

TEMPUR Information

TEMPUR Mattresses are made from unique TEMPUR Material, a proprietary, open celled, temperature sensitive material that conforms to and supports the individual user by evenly distributing body weight. The basis for the TEMPUR pressure relieving material was originally developed by NASA to protect astronauts against G Forces during lift off and re-entry to the earth’s atmosphere. Today TEMPUR is the only producer of mattresses and pillows worldwide to be endorsed by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation.

On conventional mattresses the body needs to adjust during the night. This is due to unrelieved pressure, which restricts blood flow and results in the build up of pressure, causing pain and forcing the body to reposition. TEMPUR Mattresses, on the other hand, mould to the exact shape and position of the body giving the neck, back, shoulders and feet the comfort and support they need. Pressure is evenly distributed thus reducing pressure points and practically eliminating the need for tossing and turning.

TEMPUR Products are recommended by over 30,000 medical professionals worldwide, and their beneficial properties are supported by clinical research. A trial at the Institution for Clinical & Physiological Research at the Lillhagen Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden tested 23,000 patients over an eight year period of home and clinical use of the TEMPUR Mattress and Pillow. Patients suffered less pain, experienced enhanced deep sleep, and an 83% reduction in tossing and turning when using TEMPUR Products.

A whole host of celebrities are now claiming they have found the perfect sleeping partner – their TEMPUR Mattress including George Michael, Jane Seymour, Paris Hilton, The England Rugby Team, Paul McCartney, David Blaine, The Ozbournes, Kyran Bracken, Claire Sweeney, Charlie Dimmock Susan Hampshire and Noel Gallagher.

TEMPUR Mattress prices start from ÂŁ675, and TEMPUR Pillows are priced from ÂŁ69.95. For more information about TEMPUR Products, call 08000 111081 or visit www.tempur.co.uk

Pet Arthritis – advice from leading vet Carol Osborne

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By Dr Carol Osborne

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease which causes painful inflammation of the joints and affects dogs and cats as well as humans. Recent research reveals that arthritis manifests itself in 95% of dogs even at the age two, and 99% of people at age 35, even if there are no visible signs. Twenty percent of all dogs two years of age and older are afflicted.

Symptoms include limping, lameness, decreased activity, stiffness, reluctance to stand, climb stairs, run and jump. In the case of cats they become reluctant to move and often have accidents outside the litter box.

Although arthritis is more common in large dogs, small dogs and cats are also vulnerable to this condition which destroys the cartilage and connective tissue, which normally act as a cushion and absorbs the shock between bones and joints.

But medical management, weight control and moderate exercise can help many pets to live a relatively pain free life even with this condition. This has traditionally consisted of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids, which are effective in relieving pain but can carry serious side effects. But new, natural remedies are able to offer similar benefits without the risks. Moderate exercise helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength for joint support. Weight control also helps reduce the burden of excess soft tissue the joints must support.

Like humans pets can benefit from taking supplements that provide relief from pain while increasing joint lubrication and flexibility and enhancing the joints ability to absorb shock. These should contain a range of ingredients including glucosamine, methylsulfonylemethane (MSM, Green Lipped Mussel, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, natural chelated minerals, Ester C, enzymes and polypeptides.

Since age, breed, diet, lifestyle, injury and stress can affect the health and function of joints in different ways it is always wise to seek the advice of a professional vet.

Dr Carol can be contacted toll free in the US at 1-866 DR CAROL or by email at drcarol@drcarol.com. For more information visit www.drcarol.com

Get summer style advice from TV’s Trinny & Susannah in live web chat

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London: Summer is almost upon us and women across the land will be contemplating one of the most important issues of their lives, their summer wardrobe!

With this in mind we have grabbed two women respected by all, the style duo that is Trinny and Susannah. The two who are best known for their no nonsense approach when it comes to clothing will be live in our studio to tell you whatÂ’s hot and whatÂ’s not this Summer.

The fab duo, who recently appeared in a Littlewoods spy spoof advert, have created a style guide based on body shapes called “the Rules” and will be giving advice to women of all sizes, whether you’ve got big boobs or no boobs, short legs or saddle bags. It’s time to throw out those frumpy jumpers, kick off those crusty crocs and burn those skintight jeans!

Join the golden girls of fashion as they swap balaclavas and wetsuits for cutting edge styleÂ… all in the name of fashion!

Trinny and Susannah will be live online at www.webchats.tv/webchat on Tuesday 17th April at 15.10 (GMT-1) as they discuss this season’s hottest looks

To view Trinny and SusannahÂ’s online style guide visit www.littlewoods.com