Including: UK - Unions back changes to BT scheme; US - More 401(k) freezes introduced; UK - NAPF helps trustees deal with transactions

UK - Defined contribution (DC) schemes will move increasingly to target date funds over the course of 2009, with greater emphasis on member engagement industry experts claim.

There will be no Global Pensions newswire between 22 December 2008 and 4 January 2009. The Global Pensions team will resume normal service on 5 January 2009.

AUSTRALIA - The global financial crisis could mask the risk of long-term demographic trends, Mercer warns.

GLOBAL - Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has committed €250m (US$350m) to a Turkish retail property fund.

Large multinationals could see pension liabilities fall by €250bn (£235bn) due to discount rate distortion caused by the credit crunch, Lane Clark & Peacock says.

Decade of decline for elderly savers; Public pension gulf

Aon Consulting's third party administration business has implemented the ViaNova data standard for straight through processing with the adoption of Idea Group's Gateway product.

Tesco workers will be able to take advantage of an extra day's paid holiday as a thank you for their work during the festive season.

The Pension Protection Fund has rejected claims it will be forced to cut member benefits as a result of the recession.