GLOBAL - The development of longevity as an asset class continues to grow as longevity risk becomes increasingly recognised, experts believe.

US/GERMANY - Prudential is preparing to launch the first longevity insurance product in the US "very soon", delegates at the Longevity 7 conference in Frankfurt were told.

SWITZERLAND - The funding levels of Swiss pension funds fell by 4% in the second three months of the year, research by Towers Watson shows.

US -The California State Retirement system (CalSTRS) is to oversee the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) defined contribution plan.

US - Private equity giant Carlyle Group has confirmed its plans to go public.

US - The aggregate deficit in S&P 1500 pension plans increased by $73bn during August as equities and bond yields suffered a rollercoaster month, figures from Mercer show.

FRANCE - Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) has acquired a controlling interest in investment advisory firm Darius Capital Partners.

SWEDEN - Första AP-fonden (AP1) returned SEK 3bn ($463bn) after expenses in the first half of 2011, representing a return of 1.4%.

CANADA - Two pension funds have filed a C$6.5bn ($6.5bn) class action lawsuit against China-based timber company Sino-Forest and its auditor Ernst & Young.

GERMANY - Hermes Equity Ownership Services (EOS) has published a list of corporate governance principles for German listed companies.