AUSTRALIA - Self-managed super funds should have the same compensation processes as large super funds in the event of fraud, the industry association believes.

NETHERLANDS - Dutch pension funds should lower costs and require external investment managers to give a full accounting of expenses to increase their capital in the long term, financial markets regulator AFM said.

CANADA - The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) returned 13.68% in 2010, ending the year with C$35.7bn ($37.3bn) in net assets.

CANADA - The Public Sector Pension Investment Board and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation have agreed to acquire TimberWest Forest Corp for C$1.03bn ($1.07bn).

MEXICO - Mexico will allow pension operators to hire third-party firms beginning in May to help manage their investments, the chief of the country's retirement-fund regulator said.

UK - Pension trustee boards continue to struggle to make swift changes in allocations to new asset classes, research by Aon Hewitt shows.

US - The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) has reported a fall in its funding level of 7% to 71% in the fiscal year to June 30 2010.

EUROPE - KAS Bank has developed an app for the iPad which enables pension fund managers, trustees, sponsors and fund administrators to access up-to-date fund data at any time and from any location.

GLOBAL - Pictet Asset Management is to launch a pooled fund for institutional investors following growing client demand for environmental, social and governance opportunities.

NETHERLANDS - Dutch pension plans believe fiduciary management will continue to grow but it remains a controversial strategy, new research shows.