AUSTRALIA - The A$74.6bn ($81bn) Future Fund posted a return of 3.9% for the quarter ending 31 March, giving a return of 11.7% for the first nine months of the financial year.

AUSTRALIA - The proposed Budget for the 2011/2012 financial year saw widespread, if incremental, cuts and reforms to certain programmes and tax structures, together with and an expansion of jobs and health-related social programmes.

AUSTRALIA - The Government has signalled its desire to encourage superannuation fund and private sector investment in infrastructure projects in its 2011-2012 budget by proposing to remove tax impediments, reduce sovereign risk and increase transparency...

Bulk annuity buy-ins and buyouts are now a more popular solution than longevity risk hedging for trustees looking to de-risk, research by MetLife Assurance shows.

UK - Bulk annuity buy-ins and buyouts are now a more popular solution than longevity risk hedging for trustees looking to de-risk, research by MetLife Assurance shows.

AUSTRALIA -Non-Government Schools Super (NGS Super) intends to merge with UCSuper, creating a combined entity worth A$4.4bn ($4.7bn).

FRANCE - Alcatel-Lucent made a cash contribution of €42m ($60m) to its worldwide pension funds in Q1, the company's quarterly financial statement shows.

UK - CB Richard Ellis Investors has launched a property fund specifically designed for defined contribution pension scheme investors.

AUSTRALIA - The top 30 superannuation funds have posted an average rolling 12-month return of 5% for the 12 months to the end of March, latest figures show.

NETHERLANDS - AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) has won a €2.2bn ($3.1bn) fiduciary mandate by Ahold Pensioenfonds, the Dutch pension fund of retailer Ahold.