US - Plans by the Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to increase premiums would undermine the private sector defined benefit pension system, businesses have warned.

MTAA Super is being investigated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for removing its currency hedges in the middle of the global financial crisis, reports suggest.

AUSTRALIA - AustralianSuper's decision to sign one-year pilot agreements with six financial advisory firms may be seen as controversial but could serve as a new business model for the fund, chief executive officer Ian Silk believes.

US - The aggregate deficit in pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500 companies increased by $37bn during May, figures from Mercer show.

AUSTRALIA - the government has outlined the final terms of how an A$55m levy will be raised on regulated superannuation funds to recompense superannuation fund members who lose money due to the collapse of an investment manager.

AUSTRALIA - The Sunsuper superannuation fund has awarded a A$700m mandate for domestic equities benchmarked to an index that measures the impact of capital gains tax (CGT) upon the performance of the largest 300 listed companies.

US - Institutional investors are increasingly turning to commodity trading advisers following a historical reluctance to do so, Agecroft Partners believes.

Global Pensions teamed up with the Principal Officers Association for the third consecutive year to host last night's Imbasa Yegolide Awards for South African pension service providers.

CANADA/NORWAY - A consortium of investors including the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has agreed to acquire a 24.1% stake in Norway's Gassled Joint Venture.

Aviva, Northern Trust, Schroders, Prudential Financial, American Century Investments