August 2024
22Aug

US. Reduction in Pension Benefits Leads to Wider Income Inequality, Study Finds

The continuing decline of the number of defined benefit pension participants in the U.S. is widening America’s income equality gap, which in turn is stunting economic growth, according to a recent study from the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems. The study also found that public policies aimed at cutting public costs by reducing pension benefits or switching to defined contribution plans may actually increase the need for public spending due to “the dynamic interrelationship between pension reforms, income inequality, the...

August 22, 2024
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22Aug

Canadian pension funds recognized for governance, sustainability practices: report

Four of Canada’s largest pension funds have been ranked among the top 10 global pension funds for demonstrating best practices in governance, sustainability and resilience, according to a new report by data platform Global SWF. The assessment tool, which reviews the practices and efforts of state-owned sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds, gave the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the British Columbia Investment Corp. perfect scores across the board alongside the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Singapore-based...

August 22, 2024
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22Aug

DWP announces £780 payment increase for UK households to help with cost of living

UK households are set to receive a financial boost this year to help with the cost of living. With inflation slightly rising back to 2.2 per cent, additional financial support will be beneficial in managing the ongoing income squeeze, especially following the recent cut in interest rates to 5 per cent at the start of August. This extra support for households is due to changes implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions. It has applied a 6.7 per cent...

August 22, 2024
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22Aug

Impact of COVID-19 on Healthy Life Expectancy of Older Adults in the Region of the Americas

The Region of the Americas has experienced a significant decline in the health life expectancy (HALE) of older adults at age 60 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New data from the WHO Global Health Observatory reveals that the HALE at 60 years old was reduced from 16.61 years in 2019 to 15.21 years in 2021 in the region. This dramatic decline underscores the severe impact of the pandemic on older populations, reversing years of advancements in public health and longevity. The...

August 22, 2024
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21Aug

UK. Almost four in 10 pensioners have retirement regrets

Almost four in 10 (39 per cent) pensioners have retirement regrets, research from Hargreaves Lansdown has found. The research revealed that the top regret for retired people was failing to put together a plan early enough (15 per cent). In addition to this, one in 10 said they regretted not boosting contributions early enough, while 1 per cent said they wished they had taken financial advice. The research also revealed that 3 per cent of pensioners said they wish they had kept...

August 21, 2024
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21Aug

Milliman analysis: Competitive pension risk transfer costs climb from 100.3% to 102.5% in July

Milliman analysis: Competitive pension risk transfer costs climb from 100.3% to 102.5% in July Competitive bidding process saves about 2.4% of buyout costs as of July 31 Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced the latest results of its Milliman Pension Buyout Index (MPBI). As the pension risk transfer (PRT) market continues to grow, it has become increasingly important to monitor the annuity market for plan sponsors that are considering transferring retiree pension obligations to an insurer. During...

August 21, 2024
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21Aug

Money managers stand firm on AI stocks in Asia

Artificial intelligence stocks led the market rout that took place in late July and early August, but fund managers say there still are AI companies with structural growth potential, particularly in Asia. Some investors might associate AI stocks with big names such as Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Amazon.com and Tesla, but the AI universe also includes a slew of manufacturers that enable the technology, the managers said. “People bucket AI into one big thing, but we look at it as a part of it...

August 21, 2024
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21Aug

UK. Pension organisations call on Treasury to expedite regulation of investment consultants

ShareAction has written to the Treasury urging it to expedite plans to regulate all activities of investment consultants. The charity was joined in its call by several pension organisations, including the Association of Member-Nominated Trustees, Pensions for Purpose, and Make My Money Matter. ShareAction noted that, at various times over the past 10 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and parliamentary committees have called for investment consultants to be brought within the FCA’s regulatory framework. It urged...

August 21, 2024
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21Aug

South Africa. Two-pot retirement system: fewer early withdrawals, more financial optimism

While many South Africans who are members of pension funds are counting the days until they can withdraw from their savings pot under the two-pot retirement system, research suggests that fewer people plan to dip into their retirement savings early, probably thanks to financial optimism as the economy improves. According to the 2024 Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor that took a deep dive into the two-pot retirement system, the number of working South Africans with retirement savings provision (income...

August 21, 2024
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20Aug

US pension funds react to Republican probe of Climate Action 100+

Public pension funds in the US have pushed back against a Republican probe into the US members of Climate Action 100+, warning that climate engagement is consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities. At the end of July, Republican lawmakers on the House Judicial Committee sent a letter to more than 130 investor signatories – or recent ex-signatories – of CA100+, demanding information on actions they planned to take as part of the initiative, which Republicans call a “climate cartel”, as well...

August 20, 2024
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