SCHEMES saw surpluses fall by over £48bn during July, latest figures from the Pension Protection Fund reveal.

A QUARTER of the UK's biggest firms fail to provide proper reports to shareholders on audit practices, the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum claims.

US - The Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) has revamped its investment strategy resulting in contract awards and managerial searches.

Growth threatened by market turbulence, say economists; DC schemes may run into trouble without reforms; Pensioners owe £57bn in debt; Schemes influence policy

CANADA - The Canada Pension Plan's (CPP) first quarter return rate tumbled by 11.2% compared to the last fiscal year, according to new figures.

TRUSTEES are not assessing asset allocations regularly enough, BlackRock claims.

JAPAN - State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has exclusively revealed plans to launch global exchange traded fund (ETF) products in Japan to boost the options available to investors.

AXA subsidiary Thinc Group has taken over employee benefits consultancy PIFC Consulting.

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans are turning away from annuities in favour of higher monthly payouts that may not last for the rest of their lives.

INCLUDING: UK - Skandia launches institutional share class; UK - The Pensions Report to launch in October; UK - HBOS pension deficit reduced by two-thirds.