June 2024
25Jun

Morningstar launches index tracking LGBTQ+ inclusive companies

The new Morningstar Developed Markets LGBTQ+ Leaders Index is designed to deliver exposure to 100 large and mid-cap companies from across regions and sectors that demonstrate strong LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices. Companies are screened for controversial product involvement, UN Global Compact compliance, and severe ESG controversies using Morningstar Sustainalytics leading ESG data and research and are then ranked by ExecuPride score and size with the 100 highest scorers making it into the index. “We are thrilled to add this new...

June 25, 2024
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25Jun

Spain Goes Into Debt To Fill The Pension Pot

Can you imagine taking out a loan to open a bank deposit? Well, that is what Spain is doing to fill the pension fund with 7 billion. Last year, the pension system needed to borrow 50 billion from the state to meet pension payments. This 50 billion shortfall is exactly 3.6% of GDP. And it is exactly the figure for the Spanish public deficit in 2023. But that is no obstacle for the Government to have decided to endow the...

June 25, 2024
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25Jun

South Africa. Cosatu works with stakeholders on two-pot system implementation

The Congress of South Africa’s Trade Unions (Cosatu) General Secretary, Solly Phetoe says the affiliation is working with the National Treasury, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and pension funds at Nedlac to ensure a smooth implementation of the two-pot system on September 1. The two-pot retirement system is confirmed to rollout on September 1 when workers will be able to access 10% or up to R30 000 of their existing pension funds. Phetoe says Cosatu condemns anyone that spreading misinformation...

June 25, 2024
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24Jun

U.K. pension funds oppose dual-class voting proposed by regulators

U.K. pension funds and asset owners with a collective £136.2 billion ($173.2 billion) oppose reforms to U.K. listings that would allow for dual-class share structures that carry separate levels of voting rights. Dual-class share structures are already prevalent in other markets, such as the U.S. and Sweden. More than 40% of U.S. technology initial public offerings used dual-class structures between 2020 and 2022, according to a report by the Investor Coalition for Equal Votes. In a signed a letter to Ashley...

June 24, 2024
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24Jun

German Allianz to invest in China’s mega pension company with 2% stake

 Allianz Global Investors (AGI), one of the investment arms of German insurer Allianz, has become the first foreign company to own a stake in China's pension insurance giant Guomin Pension. AGI was allowed to subscribe to newly issued shares representing 2% in the company, and the stake is worth 228 million yuan ($31.40 million), the pension firm said in a statement issued Monday. Guomin Pension, jointly launched by China's largest banks and insurers, was established in 2022 to promote the development...

June 24, 2024
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24Jun

Thailand becomes first South-East Asian country to legalise same sex marriage

Thailand has become the first nation in South-East Asia to legalise same sex marriage, with the country's Senate approving the landmark bill on Tuesday afternoon. The legislation was expected to pass after it cleared the country's House of Representatives in a near-unanimous vote in March. Despite Thailand's bustling gay bars and prominent transgender community making it a mecca for LGBTQ+ tourists, until now local same-sex couples there have been unable to marry. The law will take effect 120 days after its announcement in the...

June 24, 2024
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24Jun

Americans Want Pensions To Make a Comeback. Will They?

It’s financially challenging to comfortably retire in the U.S. and many Americans work, without necessarily “wanting” to, well into their golden years. Though not being able to save enough for a secure retirement isn’t a particularly new crisis, the struggle has become more widespread in recent decades. One of the factors fueling the problem is the mass decline of the traditional pension plan. Americans want pension plans to make a comeback. According to a recent report from the National Institute for Retirement Security, 83%...

June 24, 2024
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21Jun

The United States will need 7 million migrants to cover old age support programs for baby boomers

The immigration crisis has become a recurring theme in social gatherings and political debates, and is the main issue of the U.S. presidential election. Amid this discussion, one certainty stands out: while it’s well known that migrants have a need to live in the United States, a study has highlighted that the country needs them too. Twenty percent of U.S. workers were not born in the United States, and it is expected that in the near future more than seven million more migrants...

June 21, 2024
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21Jun

Russia. Putin suggests using oil windfall for pensions

Russia's President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday to use a part of the accumulated oil wealth to support voluntary pensions saving and capitalise development institutions. "Part of the money in the National Prosperity Fund should be used to co-finance voluntary pension savings," Putin said in his annual address to both houses of parliament. Putin suggested the state should contribute 1,000 roubles for each 1,000 roubles contributed by private individuals in voluntary pension savings schemes. "Part of the money should be used for...

June 21, 2024
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21Jun

How financial advisors can help LGBTQ clients prepare for retirement

However, as they prepare to settle down and retire, LGBTQ people tend to have higher debt and lower confidence, which can make them particularly vulnerable as they plan for retirement. Advisors can take steps to make sure they are conscious and respectful of how clients' identities may affect their retirement planning. Financial Planning spoke with three LGBTQ advisors who service clients in their community and asked them about how they best provide top-notch advice to their clients. Jana Davis, a financial...

June 21, 2024
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