March 2018

España. Villalobos apuesta por impulsar los planes de pensiones en la empresa y Twitter responde

La presidenta de la Comisión del Pacto de Toledo, Celia Villalobos, ha apostado por impulsar los planes de pensiones de empresa para complementar las pensiones públicas, como ocurre en otros países de Europa, una fórmula que, según ha reconocido, “a los empresarios no les gusta” pero que debe aplicarse. Sus palabras han vuelto a encontrar respuesta, como cada vez que habla Villalobos, en Twitter, donde los usuarios se han vuelto a mostrar preocupados de que sea la política sea...

Brasil. Chocan policías y maestros en huelga en Sao Paulo

La policía de Sao Paulo usó gas lacrimógeno y balas de goma el miércoles para dispersar a una muchedumbre de furiosos maestros de escuelas públicas que protestaban contra cambios propuestos a sus planes de pensiones. Los maestros se habían congregado frente al Concejo Municipal cuando éste comenzó los debates para incrementar las contribuciones mensuales de los empleados públicos a los fondos de pensiones de 11% a por lo menos 14%. El choque comenzó cuando solamente algunos de los maestros en huelga...

Canada. Group annuities grow steadily and may hit $5 billion in 2018

The group annuity business — which allows corporations to reduce the risks associated with managing their pension funds – continues to thrive, even if, in the grand scheme of things, it is still relatively small. In 2017, according to a recent annual review from Willis Towers Watson, a pension fund-consulting firm, the volume of business undertaken by more than 100 pension funds rose to $3.7 billion, about $1 billion more than in 2016. “High activity levels were observed throughout the year,...

Better pensions proposed for top overseas talent in China

A proposal to improve the pension system for top overseas talent in China could enhance China's competitiveness in keeping them long term, Chinese observers said. [Special coverage] Dou Xiankang, president of Wuhan University and also a deputy of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), submitted a motion to the first session of the 13th NPC as China's universities and research institutes have been attracting a great deal of high level talent through the country's programs such as the "The Recruitment...

US. Can AI relieve cost pressures on retirement plans?

The 401(k) plan market is undergoing a technology makeover, as fintechs offer providers new tools to lower the cost of the plans and boost profits. With the fiduciary rule adding additional scrutiny to employer plans, traditional providers are under increased pressure to find the best and cheapest vehicles for clients. Startups like Newark, New Jersey-based Dream Forward claim their advisor tech will help lower administration costs and keep retirement plans profitable. “Fees are going to come down overtime,” says Dream Forward...

Croatia. Retirement age to be increased to 67 years?

The Croatian Government will launch a comprehensive pension reform in the second quarter of this year as part of which it will upgrade all three pension insurance pillars in cooperation with the social partners, academic community and interested public, the state secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Pension System Majda Buríc said in Parliament on Wednesday. Read More: Total Croatia News

France. ‘You’re bleeding us dry’: Why France’s pensioners are furious with Macron

France's elderly population will march through the streets in towns and cities across the country on Thursday in anger at a move by the government they claim is hitting them hard in the pocket. Pensioners were the main losers of President Emmanuel Macron's first budget mainly due to the 1.7 percentage point hike in the CSG social charge - a levy deducted from salaries and pensions that goes towards paying for France's social security system. Only those with an income of...

Estonian government approves 7.6 percent pension increase

The new value of the pension index, according to the regulation, is 1.076. This means an increase of 7.6 percent on average in pensions and the daily rate of the work ability allowance. The annual reindexation of penions is to cost the government approximately €97.6 million this year. Following the increase, the old-age pension of an individual with 44 years of pensionable service will increase from €415.6 to €446.50, spokespeople for the government said. Read More: ERR

Czech Republic. Employers, unions hail rise in pensions, want its sustainability

Representatives of Czech employers and unions agreed with the cabinet's plan to raise pensions as of 2019 in the talks with government officials on Wednesday, Confederation of Industry head Jaroslav Hanak and CMKOS umbrella union head Josef Stredula said after the Tripartite meeting. At the same time, however, the employers and unions want the government to secure sustainability of the pensions financing in the following years. The task of the Tripartite body, which brings together representatives of the government, trade unions...

A Worrying Shift for Pensions: Retirees Will Soon Outnumber Kids

For those worried about the ability of U.S. state and local governments to cover promised pension checks, the Census Bureau announced a milestone that should add to their fears: by 2030, for the first time, senior citizens will outnumber children. In 12 years, about one in five Americans will be of retirement age, and by 2035, those 65 and older will outnumber those under 18 by about 2 million, according to the latest estimates released by the agency. The consequences...