Mercer

Pensions deficits for FTSE350 companies grew by 21% in September as falling bond yields and volatile stock markets were mitigated by a reduction in interest rate projections.

The country's biggest firms have increased their pensioner longevity assumptions for the fifth year running in a move which has added about 1% to scheme liabilities, Mercer says.

Rachel Alembakis looks at the details behind the Australian government's plans to create a cheaper, more effective pensions industry

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

US - The number of defined contribution (DC) retirement plans in the US offering a sustainable and responsible investing (SRI) choice could double in the next three years, research suggests.

KOREA - Mercer has set up an investment management business in Korea to help local institutional investors take advantage of global market opportunities.

UK - Pension funds are facing a dilemma in that de-risking is expensive and not getting cheaper. Instead, they should take on more risk in the current climate, delegates at this year's Professional Pensions Show heard.

Pension funds are facing a dilemma in that de-risking is expensive and not getting cheaper so they should take on more risk in the current climate, delegates heard.

AUSTRALIA - The A$17bn ($17.3bn) Sunsuper superannuation fund has retained Mercer as its investment consultant for the next three years.

US - The aggregate deficit in S&P 1500 pension plans increased by $73bn during August as equities and bond yields suffered a rollercoaster month, figures from Mercer show.