GLOBAL - Social security systems in large advanced economies need to be put on sounder footings in the face of ageing populations, said the International Monetary Fund.

ACCOUNTANT Baker Tilly is hosting a one-off seminar to help employers address flexible benefit options and meet evolving employees' needs.

UK ADULTS have been overspending their state pension allowance by 158pc, research reveals.

EUROPE - Without further pension reforms, contribution rates in some countries may increase to as much as 40% of salaries, European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has warned.

ITALY - New pensions revenue policy should not be discussed before the country's financial status is consistent, said a trade union leader.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has been appointed sole lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group over its stock-option grant practices.

US - The Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System will be investing up to US$180m in real estate and alternative investment funds.

Ministers are pushing through pension changes to make local authority work more attractive to private firms, a scheme manager claims.

The wait is over. The first phase of the judges' task is now complete and here is the shortlist for this year's Pension Scheme of the Year Awards - with the sole exception of the Scheme Manager of the Year which is still being debated by judges.

AUSTRALIA - Current proposals for the UK's national pensions savings scheme (NPSS) fail to address vital issues including fraud and employer insolvency, according to the architect of the Australian mandatory model.