November 2024

UK. Pensions savings confidence hits seven-year low, says BlackRock

Three-quarters of UK defined contribution pensions savers say they are not on track to achieve a “reasonable standard of living” in retirement, according to asset manager BlackRock, marking the lowest level of confidence in long-term savings prospects since the survey began in 2017. The survey of 1,000 savers across the UK found half of those questioned said they could not afford to save enough for retirement, while over a third of DC members said their “biggest concern” was not having...

UK. Pension scheme panned for reportedly taking Bitcoin position

An unnamed UK pension scheme has sparked controversy after investing 3% of its assets in Bitcoin, becoming the first in the country to do so, according to Sky News. The move has been criticised and called "deeply irresponsible" with the warning that it risks retirees' futures by speculating in volatile assets. The pension scheme's advisor, Cartwright, argued that Bitcoin offers diversification and could yield high returns with minimal downside risk. However, critics, including actuary Daniel Wiltshire, caution that pension funds should prioritize long-term stability...

The Gig Economy in India: A Double-Edged Sword

The rise of the gig economy in India represents a profound transformation in the country’s labour market. Enabled by rapid digitization, growing smartphone usage, and platforms like Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato, millions now perform short-term “gigs” without formal employment. This shift promises flexibility for both businesses and workers, offering companies an on-demand workforce while allowing workers immediate earnings. Yet, this transformation has a dual nature: while it offers flexibility and income opportunities, gig work also brings challenges, such as...

México. Declaran constitucionalidad de reformas en vivienda y pensiones

El pleno de la Cámara de Diputados declaró la constitucionalidad de las reformas en materia de vivienda para trabajadores y sobre la entrega de pensiones a adultos mayores y personas con discapacidad. La reforma al artículo 123 de la Constitución para otorgar viviendas de bajo costo a los trabajadores y establecer un método de rentas con opciones a compra en el mediano plazo fue avalado por la Cámara de Diputados el pasado 23 de octubre y por el Senado el...

Alertan sobre riesgos para fondos privados de pensiones en Colombia

La agencia calificadora de riesgo Moody's publicó su primer informe sobre la reforma pensional de Colombia tras ser oficialmente convertida en Ley de la República. La entidad aseguró que el nuevo sistema reducirá las perspectivas de mercado de los administradores de pensiones privados. De acuerdo con Moody's, aunque el proyecto podría tener aspectos positivos desde el punto de vista social: la reforma representa un impacto negativo en términos crediticios para los administradores privados de pensiones, cuyo mercado potencial se reducirá significativamente".normal La...

Reducen calificación de Panamá

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P), redujo la calificación crediticia de la deuda de Panamá, dejando al país a un escalón cercano de perder el grado de inversión. El ministro de Economía y Finanzas, Felipe Chapman, calificó como una alerta la decisión S&P, que revisó la calificación soberana de Panamá de BBB a BBB-, motivado por el incremento de la deuda pública y la debilidad de los ingresos. Sin embargo, la perspectiva se mantiene estable. Según Chapman, la calificadora le está...

Kodak looks to terminate US pensions, will gain over $500 million in finances

According to a filing with the SEC, Kodak said that it looks to cut its pension plan. The plan has increased significantly due to initial contributions and market performance. The SEC filing stated that Kodak looks to use the cash from the cut and sale of the plan, which would to offset its debt. The sale — which also includes the sale of “illiquid assets” — was to Mastercard Foundation, and Kodak would retrieve more than $500 million. Kodak confirmed with...

Managing the future of risk for Canadian public pensions

Canada’s largest public pensions — unofficially called the “Maple 8” — are internationally respected and in a healthy fiscal position at the end of 2024 [1]. These eight public pensions collectively hold $2.1 trillion in assets under management as of the end of 2023. Despite recent economic headwinds, the Maple 8 are in a strong financial position with almost all members of this unofficial group above 100% funding. In fact, by 2023, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Fund assets were...

Pension System in Ukraine: Citizens’ Perspective

Do citizens consider the pension system fair, and what would they like to change? How well do Ukrainians understand the pension calculation formula and the factors that affect the pension sum? How confident are citizens that the pension system will be able to provide them with a decent life in old age? What do people think about the introduction of mandatory funded pensions? We can answer these and other questions with the results of a nationwide survey on social...

Largest US pension fund CalPERS over halfway to $100B climate investment goal

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is more than halfway to its goal of investing more than $100 billion in climate solutions, the pension fund announced last week. CalPERS, the largest pension fund in the nation, said it had invested $53 billion in climate solutions, a year after it set the $100 billion target, according to a Nov. 18 press release. While the climate solution funding goal is part of CalPERS’s 2030 sustainable investing strategy, some of its beneficiaries...