News

INCLUDING: UK - FTSE offers short and leveraged indices; AUSTRALIA - Mercer selects RCM; EUROPE - STOXX indexes licensed to Commerzbank AG

NETHERLANDS - The number of Dutch pension funds that fail to meet government rules on the ratio of assets to obligations increased more than fivefold in the third quarter as equity investments declined.

Another defined benefit pension scheme entered into the Pension Protection Fund in November resulting in an additional 402 people receiving compensation.

Defined contribution charges must be "substantially reduced" and members must be made aware about 40pc of their pot is swallowed up in fees, a study says.

Pension risk poses a "clear and present danger" to the health of sponsoring employers, Hewitt Associates warns.

Uncertainty over pension errors; Fury over SNP decision to continue overpaying Scottish public sector pensions; We can't go on paying gold-plated pensions; Pension chief admits 40% goes in fees

Sponsoring companies who have not protected themselves through de-risking face a "pensions Armageddon" in 2009, Towers Perrin warns.

The department for work and pensions has launched a consultation on the impact of age discrimination on employers' flexible retirement policies.

AUSTRALIA - The A$13bn (US$9bn) Sunsuper has selected SunGard to provide bookkeeping and administrative services, as the superannuation fund presses ahead with the in-house integration of its recently purchased outsourced administrator.

CANADA - The Ontario government has proposed a law to give temporary solvency relief to pension funds in the province.