February 2026

UK. FCA’s pension transfer plans are anti-competitive and anti-consumer

A healthy, efficient pension transfer market is an essential ingredient to helping people make the most out of their retirement savings. As we all start up auto-enrolment pensions every time we join a new employer, for most people consolidating their discarded pensions under one roof makes the most sense. It reduces administration, tracking, and decision-making, especially as clients approach retirement. Deciding when and how to take an income from a pension pot is tricky enough, but having multiple pension pots...

Pension funds moving to scenario-driven and dynamic portfolio construction approach

Pension funds are adapting their portfolio construction approaches as uncertainty becomes more structural, return dispersion widens, and traditional anchors for asset allocation weaken, according to a report from BlackRock. Its 2026 Institutional Investment Direction report, which analysed pension schemes in the UK, US, and Euro area, highlighted a move away from relying on a single base case and towards a more scenario-driven and dynamic approach to portfolio construction. Pension investors were rethinking what they invest in and how portfolios are implemented as outcomes...

EU’s pension gender gap persists as women receive 24.5% less

Women aged 65 or over in the EU received pensions that were 24.5% lower on average than men in 2024. The biggest average pension gaps were recorded in Malta (40.3%), the Netherlands (36.3%) and Austria (35.6), Eurostat informed on Wednesday. The smallest gaps were in Estonia (5.6%), Slovakia (8.4%) and Hungary (9.6%). Alongside averages, the data also compares pensions using the median — the middle value in a range — which is less affected by a small number of very high or...

Forever Chemicals Linked to Faster Aging in Middle-Aged Men, Study Finds

A new study shows that exposure to two specific 'forever chemicals' may accelerate biological aging, especially in middle-aged men. These chemicals – PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) and PFOSA (perfluorooctanesulfonamide) – are just two of the thousands of 'forever chemicals', or to use the more technical term, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Used widely since the 1940s and 1950s, PFAS are found in raincoats, upholstery, non-stick pans, food packaging, firefighting foams, and much more. This vast range of synthetic substances was specifically designed to be durable. They...

Germany’s retirement savings shake-up: What banks need to know

Germany is overhauling its state-subsidised retirement savings framework, and financial institutions have a firm deadline to prepare for. The federal government approved a pension reform law in late 2025, with parliamentary proceedings underway in 2026. If passed — which appears near-certain — the legislation will bring the Altersvorsorgedepot (AVD), or retirement provision depot, into force from 1 January 2027. From that date, no new contracts under the old Riester model will be permitted. fincite, which offers an end-to-end digital asset...

México. La Suprema Corte obligó al IMSS a aumentar pensiones de Ley 73: quiénes se benefician y cómo reclamar el ajuste

Recientemente, la Suprema Corte obligó al Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) a aumentar el monto de las pensiones de quienes se encuentran inscritos en la Ley 73. La instancia confirmó  que los pensionados por cesantía en edad avanzada o por vejez amparados por este régimen tendrán derecho a un ajuste en sus pagos a partir de marzo de 2026. Cabe mencionar que todos quienes estén amparados por el Régimen 73 verán reflejado el aumento en sus depósitos. Sin embargo, no todos los pensionados...

Chile. ¿Qué viene ahora con la Reforma de Pensiones? Conoce cuándo vuelven a subir las jubilaciones

La Reforma de Pensiones trajo cambios significativos, con beneficios y aumentos para mejorar las jubilaciones y calidad de vida de los adultos mayores. Una vez que termine de implementarse, se espera que favorezca a más de 2,8 millones de pensionados, ya que contempla ajustes en el sistema previsional actual y en materia laboral. ¿Cuándo volverán a subir las jubilaciones con la Reforma de Pensiones? Las autoridades indicaron en un comunicado que en septiembre de 2026 subirá la Pensión Garantizada Universal (PGU) para mayores de 75 años, mientras que en agosto...

Perú. Retiro AFP: Presentan tercer proyecto de ley para concretar el noveno desembolso

El congresista Alfredo Pariona (Bancada Socialista) presentó un proyecto de ley que propone autorizar un noveno retiro facultativo de hasta 4 UIT (S/22.000). Con esta propuesta, el debate sobre un nuevo retiro de fondos vuelve a la agenda del Congreso ahora con mayor presión, ya que se trata del tercer proyecto que plantea hacer este retiro efectivo. Según el Proyecto de Ley 14073-2025-CR, todos los afiliados al Sistema Privado de Pensiones podrán retirar hasta 4 UIT de manera opcional. Entre sus argumentos, destaca la necesidad de brindar liquidez inmediata ante el aumento de la...

US President announces new retirement plan at State of the Union

President Trump announced during his State of the Union address Tuesday night plans to offer Americans access to a retirement account similar to those available to federal workers. Why it matters: There are roughly 50 million Americans without employer-sponsored retirement plans, like 401(k)s, and there's been growing bipartisan interest in expanding access. What he's saying: Trump said he would offer Americans who don't have 401(k)s or other employer-based retirement accounts "access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker." "We will match your...

UK. Trustees urged to integrate ESG across DB endgame routes as pricing risks evolve

Defined benefit (DB) pension scheme trustees must take a holistic and proactive approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks as endgame strategies evolve, a guide from Isio has stated. In its Endgame Sustainability Guide, the firm noted that discussions around endgame targets were shifting, with trustees now facing greater optionality between insurance, consolidation, and run-on strategies, rather than pursuing a single objective of full funding on a prudent basis. Isio head of sustainable investment, Cadi Thomas, warned that ESG risks were...