EUROPE - A single European market would see pension funds posting higher returns and thus result in more savings and better pensions, said European commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

UK - The total deficit in FTSE 100 pension schemes could add up to more than £100bn due to companies underestimating future life expectancy by between two and four years, according to Pension Capital Strategies (PCS).

NIGERIA - The Nigerian government has set aside as much as NGN80bn (US$6.2bn) for its pension system as part of its 2007 budget proposals.

LIMITED progress has been made during intense discussions between British Airways bosses and unions on controversial pension proposals this week.

EUROPE - The European Commission (EC) has sent letters of formal notice to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland for failing to properly transpose a pensions directive on the supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision.

SVM ASSET Management is launching a new pan-European socially responsible investment fund.

US - The US$219bn California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has created a $500m investment vehicle that will primarily target investments in California, and will be managed by Hamilton Lane.

THE PENSIONS Regulator joined pensions managers to further discuss governance issues at a forum hosted by eShare.

Lawyers have curbed the "snoopers' charter" that allows anyone to request sensitive information from schemes, sponsors, trustees and advisers involved in litigation.

NETHERLANDS - The €19bn PME has invested €250m, or roughly 1.5% of its total assets, in a forestry project.