The councils of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries have recommended a merger of the two bodies.

Half of all employers believe the cost of running a defined benefit scheme is now disproportionate to the value it provides, new research shows.

AUSTRALIA - The Australian government's initiative to build on the superannuation system to encourage young people to save for a home has been welcomed by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

US - The US Supreme Court has ruled unanimously to allow individual 401(k) plan participants to sue plan administrators for breaching their fiduciary duties.

US - A row has erupted between the San Diego city attorney and the city council president over the employment of a pensions expert.

Global Pensions will not produce its daily newswire tomorrow (Friday, 22 February) as we move offices. However, we will deliver Global Pensions Weekly Edition - a digital magazine you can read on-screen, or print out and take home.

GLOBAL - An influx of sophisticated products has blown the choice wide open for pension funds investing in emerging markets.

THE nationalisation of Northern Rock is "excellent news" for its scheme trustees who faced a deficit of up to £200m, Punter Southall says.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has finalised policies on its inflation-linked asset class (ILAC) to include forestland, commodities and bonds.

UK - Funding thresholds for calculating the pension protection levy are set for dramatic rises after the publication of the Pension Protection Fund's (PPF) final version of the 2008-09 Determination.