Mercer

Helen Morrissey and Charlotte Moore look at scheme governance practices around the globe and realise while the structures in place are very different the objectives are often the same

Just 20% of Global Pensions readers are facing their worst ever scheme deficits, our survey shows.

US - Marsh & McLennan, Mercer's parent company, has agreed to pay $4.75m to settle a suit brought by the Ohio attorney general alleging the firm conspired to eliminate competition in the commercial casualty insurance industry.

AUSTRALIA - Superannuation funds should introduce financial condition reports similar to those required for insurance companies, Mercer believes.

Institutional investors should undertake a "fundamental review" of equity portfolios amid concerns of a developed economies bias, a consultant says.

Defined benefit liabilities across the world are likely to have increased to record levels this year, research by Mercer warns.

GLOBAL - Defined benefit (DB) liabilities across the world are likely to have increased to record levels in 2010, research by Mercer warns.

GLOBAL - The next decade will see employers improving the spend-down phase of their DC schemes, research by Mercer predicts.

About two-thirds (65%) of buyout deals conducted in the first half of this year involved premiums of less than £10m, Mercer research finds.

EUROPE - Multinationals with defined contribution plans in Eastern Europe are starting to favour pan-European vehicles instead, John Hall, head of the international consulting practice for EMEA at Mercer said.