US - The issuance of pension obligation bonds by cash-strapped governments is a risky move that can increase pension costs, a new report by the Center for State and Local Government said.

UK - The Local Government Pension Scheme's deficit could swell to £60bn (US$97.8bn) this year if current trends continue, research from the Liberal Democrats revealed.

GLOBAL - A strong majority of global pension fund investors believe active managers have the ability to deliver alpha, a new survey by Pyramis Global Advisors found.

EUROPE - Equity manager RCM, a subsidiary of Allianz Global Investors, is set to launch a diversified growth fund in the first quarter that invests only in exchange traded funds.

Equity manager RCM, a subsidiary of Allianz Global Investors, is set to launch a diversified growth fund in the first quarter that invests only in ETFs.

NETHERLANDS - Dutch pension funds held €15.3bn (US$22.2bn) in direct real estate investments as of the third quarter 2009, new figures by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), the Dutch central bank, showed.

EUROPE - Long-term UCITS funds attracted €19bn (US$27.4bn) in assets in November, marking the eighth consecutive month of gains, according to new data by the European Fund and Asset Management Association.

US - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Sterling Savings Bank on behalf of staff seeking compensation over the firm's alleged failure to protect pension investments in company stock.

FINLAND - Neste Oil will transfer is supplementary pension plans to insurer OP Life Assurance, the firm said today.

JAPAN - Japanese pension funds will decrease their home equity bias in light of weak home-country equity returns, a consultant predicted.