There needs to be a proper debate between government and taxpayers about the long term affordability of public pensions, independent consultant John Ralfe says.

NETHERLANDS- ING Group plans to contribute €1.8bn into its pension fund, nearly triple the amount it contributed in 2008.

UK - There needs to be a proper debate between government and taxpayers about the long term affordability of public pensions, independent consultant John Ralfe says.

US - The San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA) has launched a search for a new chief investment officer.

CHINA - Robeco has teamed with TEDA International - a Chinese private equity company wholly owned by the Tianjin Government - to form a joint venture clean-tech private equity firm.

SOUTH AFRICA - The R786bn (US$83.2bn) Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which manages pension fund assets on behalf of the South African government, has announced it is to shift R65bn to black African fund managers.

IRELAND- Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have partnered to launch a range of ETFs under the name of Source. The range has recently received approval from the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority for the listing of 50 ETFs.

US - Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick has launched a number of pension reform proposals aimed at "closing loopholes, ending abuses and restoring the public's trust in state and municipal retirement systems".

Around half of all pension schemes are unaware of how current market conditions are affecting their funding status, Punter Southall research reveals.

US - Mercer has launched a long-duration investment grade credit strategy as part of its initiative to help plan sponsors who are seeking to reduce the funded status volatility of their pension plans.