June 2023

El Salvador. El ISP recibió $244.3 millones para pagar pensiones pero solo usó $119.5 millones

El Ministerio de Hacienda ya transfirió al Instituto Salvadoreño de Pensiones (ISP) el 57% del presupuesto de 2023 para obligaciones previsionales, pero no todos los fondos han sido ejecutados y no se especifica el destino del dinero no usado, según los datos oficiales. El Instituto Salvadoreño de Pensiones (ISP) ya recibió de manos del Ministerio de Hacienda las transferencias de dinero que suman $244.3 millones para el pago de pensiones, según datos oficiales hasta abril de 2023. Sin embargo, de esos...

The politicisation of investments at US public funds

By Amanda White with Sarah Rundell The attempts by multiple Republican states to restrict where US pension funds can invest is symptomatic of bad governance. Top1000funds.com takes a deep dive into the quagmire of US state pension funds to assess the impact of partisan politics on the ability of CIOs to do their jobs. The analysis highlights the need for improved practices around delegated authority to prevent the politicisation of investments. So much has been written about the rise and fall...

Ghana’s pensions authority seeks support from development partners — As SECO project comes to an end

The National Pensions and Regulatory Authority (NPRA) is asking for support from the World Bank and other development partners for continuous technical training for the effective operationalisation of its Risk Based Supervision (RBS) System. The RBS systems which was developed in 2019 through the help of the Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) is aimed at streamlining the supervisory and regulatory mandate of the authority. It was also designed to help the authority to stay abreast with the emerging pensions...

Germany set to introduce ‘one of the most modern immigration laws in the world’

What’s going on? Germany's long-debated Skilled Worker Immigration Act aims to make it easier and faster for skilled foreign workers from non-EU countries to come to the country, to help plug the growing labour shortage. The reforms announced in March include loosening Blue Card rules and introducing a points-based immigration system. The urgency for the reforms was made clear in the latest report by the Institute of German Economy (IW) released in April, according to which the skills gap in Germany...

5 Better Ways for States to Promote Retirement Savings

Nobody plans to be broke when they retire, but American culture promotes consumption over thrift, and saving for retirement is particularly difficult for low-income workers. With Social Security so deeply underfunded that skinnier benefits and heftier taxes seem likely in the coming decade, the reluctance of many workers to save for their retirement is a mounting challenge that many states are taking upon themselves by prodding private-sector employers to provide retirement savings plans. But as it’s said about leading a...

Robot Caregivers: China’s Solution for Aging Population

China, home to the world’s largest aging population, is facing a significant challenge in providing adequate care and support for its elderly citizens. However, in a remarkable display of innovation and foresight, China embraces the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to address this pressing issue. Focusing on developing cutting-edge technology, China aims to utilize robots as caregivers for older adults, revolutionizing how aging populations are cared for. This article delves into China’s ambitious endeavors, highlighting the advancements...

Reforma pensional: megapensiones seguirían sin pagar impuestos en Colombia

La reforma pensional del gobierno de Gustavo Petro logró aprobarse esta semana en primer debate en el Congreso y, con esta, se confirmó que las megapensiones seguirían sin pagar impuestos. El proyecto se avaló en la Comisión Séptima de Senado, donde surtió un debate expedito y sin mayores complicaciones. De hecho, la ministra de Trabajo, Gloria Inés Ramírez, destacó los avances logrados en dicha corporación, que pudo avalar los más de 90 artículos del proyecto. “Hemos dotado al país para que en...

Oposición afina estrategia en pensiones: habría consenso en proponer PGU diferenciada

El reloj sigue corriendo, mientras el oficialismo y la oposición despliegan sus estrategias para destrabar la reforma de pensiones, tras 10 años de intentos fallidos en distintos gobiernos. Si bien las posiciones entre La Moneda y algunos sectores del Congreso siguen alejadas, en ambos sectores políticos esperan que la reforma -independiente de los cambios que se le pueda hacer durante su tramitación- finalmente vea la luz durante este período. En este escenario, tanto los sectores de Gobierno como la derecha buscan...

US. Teacher pensions systems are increasingly underfunded, making teachers vulnerable and salaries less attractive

By Andrew G. Biggs Pensions are an important component of total compensation for most employees but particularly for public school teachers. Teachers tend to have relatively low salaries but retirement benefits that are considerably more generous than in a typical private-sector 401(k) plan. Yet the risk facing teachers is that many teacher pension plans are significantly underfunded, placing their employers under considerable financial strain, and reducing resources available for schools and for teacher pay and benefits. The funding shortfalls facing...

UK. Fifth of savers want oil excluded from their pensions

A growing number of pension savers would like to see the oil sector completely excluded from their pension fund's investments. Some 21 per cent of pension savers say they want oil to be axed from their pension, according to a survey from online pension provider PensionBee. This has jumped from 15 per cent of pension savers last year. Alongside oil, the main investments people want excluded from their pensions are companies contributing to deforestation, habitat destruction and predatory lending. Pension savers also believe...