The aggregate deficit of S&P 1500 pension plans increased by $134bn in September, reaching a "post-World War II high", Mercer claims.

GLOBAL - The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) has unveiled a five-step strategic plan to drive its agenda over the next two years.

US - AQR Capital Management has launched a $100,000 annual award competition for academic papers that have the most significant practical implications for investors.

GLOBAL - JLT Investment Solutions, New Mexico Public Employees Retirement Association Board, AXA Investment Managers, BlackRock, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, F&C Investments, RPMI, Oddo Asset Management

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 - Acadian Asset Management has named Ronald Frashure chairman and Churchill Franklin, chief executive, after a restructure of the firm's top ranks.

US - Some 92% of institutional investors are unhappy with executive pay relating to performance at the companies they invest in, research shows

GLOBAL - Investor confidence rose by 1.8 points to 88.9 in September thanks to gains in Europe and Asia, research by State Street shows.