US - The Investment Committee of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is to hold a workshop to examine how best to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into the pension fund's investment process.

US - Market volatility in the first six trading days of August has dealt a severe blow to S&P 1500 pension plans, with the aggregate funded status decreasing by $191bn, figures from Mercer show.

GLOBAL - European markets have stabilised after a volatile morning along with overnight falls in Asia and the US.

US - The New York State Common Retirement Fund has announced a proposed $168m settlement of its securities fraud class action lawsuit against National City Corporation over investment losses.

AUSTRALIA - Superannuation funds have seen a massive spike in calls from members concerned by the ongoing global market volatility, an industry body said.

AUSTRALIA - The Financial Services Council has called for the Productivity Commission to bring forward its enquiry into how default funds are awarded in negotiated agreements.

AUSTRALIA - Milestone Group has launched a new Tax Expense Calculation module for superannuation funds.

US pension funds who launched a class action against Wachovia over the purchase of bonds have agreed to a settlement worth $627m.

AUSTRALIA - The A$2.4bn (US$2.5bn)StatewideSuper and A$1.7bn Local Super have argreed to merge, creating one of the largest superannuation funds in South Australia.

US - The San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCER) said it will not appeal a court order to release the names and benefit amounts for retired county employees who receive more than $100,000 a year in pension benefits.