UK - First State Media Group has acquired the music copyright to 25,000 songs, which will form part of a media fund aimed at pension funds.

FOUR out of 10 people about to retire could get a bigger pension by considering an impaired life or enhanced rate annuity, Bank of Scotland Annuity Service says.

CANADA - State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has won a C$125m mandate to implement its first Canada-based liability driven investment strategy (LDI).

THE PUBLIC Administration Committee has called on the government to further extend the Financial Assistance Scheme to ensure all scheme wind-up victims are treated equally.

UK - The debate over control of pension fund surpluses has been reignited by David Yeadle of the EEF manufacturers' association who called for companies to be allowed access to the cash.

INDIA - Foreign fund managers may be able to get a bite of the massive Indian pensions cherry if new legislation is passed by the government, it has been reported.

UK - The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has warned life insurance companies to strengthen their life expectancy assumptions and set more money aside to pay long-living pensioners.

EUROPE - Fortis Investments has increased its profit by 10% compared to last year according to its Q1 2007 results.

INVESTMENT in ethical funds by schemes and other investors has surpassed £5bn for the first time, latest figures by the Investment Management Association reveal.

GLOBAL - Fitch Ratings has downgraded Credit Suisse's London-based asset management arm rating to 'AM2-' from 'AM2' and removed it from Rating Watch Negative (RWN).