US - The majority of senior finance executives view 401(k) plans as a significant tool for strengthening both their workforces and their companies, a study by Charles Schwab has revealed.

GLOBAL - Pension funds make up the highest proportion of investors in unlisted infrastructure funds, a study by Private Equity Intelligence (Preqin) has shown.

US/UK - The US$420bn Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities fund (TIAA-CREF) has launched its first overseas office in London.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has intensified its focus on environmental, governance and social (ESG) issues, hiring F&C Investments as an adviser and committing to make public its UK voting records.

Pensions law firm Sackers has promoted associates David Saunders and Robin Simmons to partners.

Prudential is to use postcodes as an additional risk factor for annuities, Hargreaves Lansdown says.

AUSTRALIA - Single pensioners are struggling to meet basic living costs, receiving less than those in other developed countries, a background paper for the Rudd government's Pension Review shows.

PPF faces £80bn deficit as market turmoil takes toll; Perfect storm hits pensions five years after the last one; Inflation takes fresh leap to 4.4pc

Two local government pension funds are leading a US class action law suit against Lehman Brothers over sub-prime losses.

US - The City of Jacksonville's pension plans face a major overhaul if recommendations from a government watchdog are put in place.