INDIA - India's expenditure on civil service pension schemes risks spiralling out of control, according to the World Bank.

Employers face threat of pension levy rise; Pensioners to switch to PAYE; WH Smith to scrap final-salary pension; Aviva finance director set to be chief as Harvey announces retirement

THE NATIONAL Association of Pension Funds is set to transfer its historical records to The Pensions Archive Trust.

ADMINISTRATION costs for London council pension funds are nearly four times higher than other metropolitan authorities, a new report reveals.

US - The New York City Pension Funds have filed shareholder resolutions urging four companies to ensure their overseas suppliers respect workers' human rights.

AUSTRIA - The new Austrian coalition government has extended the Hacklerregelung, a special retirement scheme for manual labourers, from 2008 to 2010 and will raise the retirement age for those eligible.

WH SMITH has announced plans to shut its final salary pension scheme to existing members.

UK - WHSmith Pension Trust has closed its final salary scheme and will be transferring the scheme's active members to a defined contribution plan.

Strathclyde decision

THE FACULTY of Actuaries will report to members at the end of January on its plans to merge with the Institute of Actuaries.