June 2023

UK. State pension could jump by 18% in two year window

State pensions could rise by 7% to £11,342 in 2024, paving the way for close to an 18% jump in two years, according to Bank of England inflation forecasts. Under the triple lock scheme, state pensions are required to increase annually at the same rate of whichever is highest out of the inflation rate in September, earnings between May and June or 2.5%. Predictions made by the Bank of England show inflation dropping from 8.7% to 7% in September, the month...

Kenya govt mulls mandatory contributions to retirement medical insurance schemes

The Kenyan government says it will review the current framework for post-retirement medical insurance schemes to make contributions to them mandatory by members and sponsors. The goal is to sustain access to healthcare services by retirees. The plan is part of proposals contained in the draft National Retirement Benefits Policy by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA. The draft was released for public feedback last week, according to a report by Business Daily Africa. A post-retirement medical scheme can be set up as...

UK Pension Reform May Drive Billions to Riskier Assets, FT Says

Highly-anticipated reforms of UK pensions could channel billions of pounds into fast-growing companies and boost investments in riskier assets, the Financial Times reported. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will use his annual Mansion House speech next month to unveil regulatory changes to encourage pension funds to invest in high-growth British assets, including early-stage companies and equities and infrastructure focused on green initiatives, the FT said, citing unidentified sources. That would mirror the approach taken by large Canadian and Australian...

Alternative funds expect surge in pension inflows

A new study conducted by Ocorian, a global leader in entity administration and alternative fund services, reveals that alternative fund managers are anticipating a significant increase in inflows from pension funds over the next 18 months. The research, which surveyed 100 alternative fund managers across the United Kingdom, United States and Europe, indicates that 36% of respondents expect a dramatic rise in investments from pension funds, while an overwhelming 87% predict an overall increase in inflows into alternative investments from...

CEO of Malaysia’s largest pension fund warns body could divest from companies not committed to ESG goals

Even as Malaysian firms are encouraged to take a step-by-step approach towards achieving environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance, they should not be disregarding ESG issues, or this could put them at risk of having the country’s largest pension fund withdraw its investments. In one of his strongest warnings issued to-date, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, chief executive of Malaysia’s Employment Provident Fund (EPF), said the fund will divest from companies not committed to ESG goals. Speaking at a session on...

EIOPA says national supervisors need more data on liquidity risks

Pension funds and insurers in Europe are holding up well in spite of higher financial stability risks, according to a new report from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) – but the body also said national supervisors need more data on liquidity and other risks to make sure buffer requirements are adequate. Publishing its June 2023 Financial Stability Report today, Frankfurt-based EIOPA said the European economy was currently experiencing a new period of high uncertainty and elevated financial...

Milliman analysis: Competitive pension risk transfer costs increase from 98.3% to 100.5% in May

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 May, the estimated cost to transfer retiree pension risk to an insurer in a competitive bidding process increased from 98.3% of a plan's accounting liabilities...

Shell Dumped by Church of England Pensions Due to Oil Risk

The Church of England Pensions Board said it had decided to divest its holding in Shell (SHEL.L) over what it said were insufficient plans to align its strategy to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Board, which up to 2022 led engagement with Shell on behalf of the CA100+ climate-focussed investor group, has around 1.35 million pounds ($1.72 million) invested in Shell of its total 3.2 billion pounds in investments. The Church of England's separate 10.3...

Ghana. Pensioners Bondholders begin third round of picketing

Members of the Pensioners Bondholders Forum have begun a third round of picketing at the Ministry of Finance to demand payments on due coupons, principals, and interest on bonds. The picketing is set to be carried out on Thursdays and Fridays of every week until government honours its obligation to bondholders. Speaking in an interview on the first day of picketing, Dr Adu Anane Antwi, the convener of the Forum, said that although the Government said it has directed the Controller...

The U.S. Population Is Older Than It Has Ever Been

While many 38-year-old millennials may still feel young, that age is an unusually high median for the country. The new data adds to the evidence that, like many European and Asian nations, the United States is graying, posing challenges for the work force, the economy and social programs. Low birthrates are the main driver of the nation’s rising median age, experts said. “It’s simple arithmetic,” said Andrew A. Beveridge, president of Social Explorer, a demographic data firm. “Fewer kids are being born.” Birthrates...