ALMOST TWO-THIRDS of people have no idea how much their pensions are worth, research claims.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) claims a powerful message has been sent to UnitedHealth Group following a vote on its proposal aimed at giving shareholders more say on board nominees.

NETHERLANDS - Schroders has won a £56m (US$111m) global equities mandate from life insurer Kunst & Cultuur, which manages pension funds for the Dutch art and culture sector.

Shareholders warn Barclays over ABN Amro bid increase; Big investors failing to back boards; Permira fund 'will benefit 33 million people'

UK - Companies offering defined contribution (DC) pension schemes need more focused training, according to Fidelity International.

AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS has joined the Principles for Responsible Investment

BRAZIL - Brazil is on track to achieve "full investment grade" status within 18 months, which according to HSBC, could potentially offer institutional investors access to a large number of fixed interest instruments.

STAFF at Standard Life picketed the firm's annual general meeting over changes to their final salary pension scheme.

NETHERLANDS - Aegon has started negotiations with Poland's BRE Bank SA on a possible merger of their two Polish pension funds and the eventual acquisition by Aegon of the combined fund.

BNP PARIBAS is set to rebrand all its asset management businesses under the umbrella name of BNP Paribas Investment Partners this summer.