News

AUSTRALIA - A Superannuation Advisory Group has been established by minister for superannuation, Senator Nick Sherry, to provide ongoing consultation between the industry and government.

UK - The record funding surplus of the 200 largest company pension schemes cannot prevent a bleak future, according to Aon Consulting.

UK - The Pensions Regulator has seconded Hewitt Associates consultant Russell Agius, who will focus on delivering the policy framework for the regulator's defined benefit (DB) funding work programme.

UK - Pension scheme trustees feel their workloads have increased significantly and many claim they don't have sufficient time to complete their duties, a survey by Aon has revealed.

INCLUDING: US - Pioneer appoints US head of portfolio management; US - CalPERS appoints board member; US - CalPERS appoints board member

UK - Local authority pension schemes are being unfairly funded by council tax, according to the TaxPayers' Alliance.

IRELAND - The Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) has warned a soft mandatory approach to pensions by the government could exacerbate the problem of take up and contributions.

US - New York City pension funds have committed to affordable housing by adopting real estate investment principles which allow them to 'opt-out' of investing in individual properties that could adversely affect tenants and affordability.

UK - Goldman Sachs' Rothesay Life has agreed to buy out the £700m (US$1389m) Rank Group Pension Scheme, in the biggest deal of its kind to date.

NETHERLANDS - PGGM has confirmed it has stopped some of its classical alpha activities in liquid markets but says it will use the technique in other areas of investment.