September 2023
26Sep

US Corporate Pensions at Healthiest Level in a Decade, Aon Data Shows

Pension plans for the largest U.S. companies are at their healthiest in over a decade, according to financial services firm Aon (NYSE:AON). The average pension "funded ratio" for public companies in the S&P 500 stock index was 102% as of last Thursday, marking the highest level since at least the end of 2011 when the ratio stood at around 78%. The funded ratio is a measure of a pension's financial health, comparing a company's pension assets against its liabilities. Essentially,...

September 26, 2023
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26Sep

UK pension schemes reveal 4,000% rise in cyber security breaches

Pension scheme trustees have been urged to remain mindful of cybersecurity risks, after research from RPC revealed a 4,000 per cent increase in data breach reports to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) in the year to June 2023. The research found that UK financial services firms reported 640 cybersecurity breaches to the ICO in the year to June 30 2023, marking a threefold increase on the 187 cybersecurity breaches in the previous period. UK pension schemes reported the biggest...

September 26, 2023
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26Sep

Dutch pension funds move hundreds of billions in assets to mandates

Dutch pension funds have transferred €372bn in assets from investment funds to mandates over the past three and a half years. Mandates make it easier for funds to implement their responsible investment policies. Pension funds’ net investments in investment funds used to be fairly stable, but from the end of 2019 outflows gradually started to accelerate, according to figures from regulator DNB. A DNB spokesman said that conversations with pension funds have indicated that these holdings have generally been converted to...

September 26, 2023
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26Sep

UK. How can the pensions market help diversify DC savings?

There is a wide gap between the defined benefit and defined contribution generations in terms of the standard of living they are heading into for in retirement. Narrowing this gap was identified as a key driver for government by pensions minister Laura Trott in her keynote address to Onward, which she delivered the day after chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Mansion House speech. But while many who represent pension providers are clamouring for this gap to be filled by additional contributions, the government says we can...

September 26, 2023
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26Sep

India. Around 90% regret not saving early for retirement, shows study

It is important to start saving early for retirement. In a recently-concluded study, it was revealed that a vast majority of people (90%) wish they had initiated retirement savings earlier, underscoring the significance of proactive financial planning. The study also revealed that Western India shows the least sense of security towards a peaceful retirement life compared to other zones. The India Retirement Index Study (IRIS), carried out by Max Life Insurance in partnership with Kantar, also revealed deep insights into the...

September 26, 2023
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25Sep

U.S. retirement assets continue increasing

U.S. retirement assets totaled $36.71 trillion at the end of the second quarter, according to data published recently by the Investment Company Institute. That marked the third straight quarterly increase after dropping to $32.81 trillion in September 2022. At the end of 2021, retirement assets were $39.73 trillion. Defined contribution assets totaled $10.23 trillion, up from the recent nadir of $8.96 trillion at the end of 2022's third quarter. The bulk, more than 70%, was placed in 401(k) plans. Defined benefit assets...

September 25, 2023
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25Sep

UK: Future Of Work | Understanding An Ageing Workforce

We recently launched our report on an Ageing Workforce. The report was produced by Censuswide, who surveyed 700 employees aged between 35-55 and working in different industry sectors across the UK. It explores areas including benefits, pensions, retirement planning, training and skillsets and offers employers a valuable tool in their planning for incentivising, supporting and retaining older employees. The ability to work on a flexible basis and from different locations (including overseas) continues to be an important benefit, and one...

September 25, 2023
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25Sep

AI in Investment Management: Separating Hype from Reality

Daily advances in artificial intelligence are leading some to herald it as the next frontier in asset management. AI can generate opportunity with new investment ideas and sources of alpha, as well as improve the risk management of existing quantitative models while creating new ones. But which developments are real and actionable, and which are simply noise? “What we’re seeing is, in a way, remarkable. The level of awareness of the technology has increased massively,” said Benjamin Roy, chief technology officer...

September 25, 2023
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25Sep

How The Backlash To ESG Can Create A Crisis For Companies

Companies should not be surprised when they face harsh criticism for doing what they think is the right thing, in the right way, and for the right reason. A case in point is efforts to implement environmental, social and government policies (ESG) in business and investing. What’s At Stake Given the divisive nature of society, people are more likely than not to have strong opinions—or outright and vocal opposition to the actions, decisions, and policies of companies and organizations. The backlash to ESG...

September 25, 2023
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22Sep

Alberta presents plan to exit Canada Pension Plan

Today, the Alberta government released a report detailing just how Alberta plans to exit the Canada Pension Plan — which would have ripple effects on all Canadians. The proposal would amount to Alberta removing more than $330 billion — or almost sixty percent — of the Canada Pension Plan’s assets. Since 1966, Canadians have confidently invested their retirement savings in the CPP. More than 650,000 Albertans are CPP beneficiaries, and Canada’s chief actuary reports that the CPP is sustainable for at...

September 22, 2023
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