March 2026
09Mar

German pensions to rise by 4,24 percent in July

The German government has announced that statutory pension payments will increase by 4,24 percent from July 1, 2026. The increase, which will benefit around 21 million pensioners in Germany, is slightly higher than a prognosis increase issued in the autumn. According to the Federal Labour Ministry, this will increase the current pension value (aktueller Rentenwert) from 40,79 euros to 42,52 euros. Why is this figure significant? The German pension system is points-based. A year’s contributions at the average earnings of all contributors earns you one “pension point”...

March 9, 2026
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09Mar

EU Gender Equality Progress Slowed by Persistent Pension Gap

According to a report from Euronews, full gender equality across the European Union remains a distant prospect, estimated to be at least five decades away. This outlook persists despite acknowledged advancements in women's representation in leadership and a narrowing pay gap. A primary area of concern is the disparity in pension benefits. Data from 2024 indicates that the average pension for women aged 65 and over in the EU was one quarter lower than that for men. This gap was...

March 9, 2026
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06Mar

Estimated funded status of 100 largest U.S. DB pension plans reaches 84.7%: report

The funded status of the 100 largest U.S. defined benefit pension plans is projected to have reached 84.7 per cent as of Nov. 30, 2025, according to a new report by Milliman Inc. It noted the last time these plans reached similar heights was in December 2021, when the funded ratio reached 85.5 per cent, a high-water mark in the nearly 14-year history of the report. The report also found aggregate assets reached US$5.05 trillion and total pension liability was $6.50...

March 6, 2026
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06Mar

Iran conflict: markets and money questions answered

Geopolitical events can move markets quickly and unpredictably. The escalation of tensions involving Iran has prompted understandable questions from investors about what it means for markets, energy prices, interest rates and household finances. Periods like this often bring heightened volatility as markets attempt to price in uncertainty. Investors reassess risks to global growth, inflation and trade, particularly when events affect strategically important regions such as the Middle East. History suggests that while markets can react sharply in the short term —...

March 6, 2026
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06Mar

Canada’s largest pension funds joining Australian peers to increase investments in both countries

Canada’s largest pension funds are joining an initiative that aims to boost pension investments between Canada and Australia. The Canadian-Australian Pension Funds Investment Initiative, announced Wednesday during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Australia, will create a framework for pension funds in the two countries to discuss policy barriers and associated solutions to improve the current business environment. The agreement includes participation from the Alberta Investment Management Corp., the British Columbia Investment Management Corp., the Caisse de dépôt et placement du...

March 6, 2026
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05Mar

UK. DWP State Pension age change begins April 2026 as payment increase confirmed

The State Pension age is due to increase from 66 to 67 from next month, with the change anticipated to be fully implemented for all men and women across the UK by 2028. This proposed rise in the official retirement age has been in place since 2014, with an additional increase from 67 to 68 planned between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 brought forward the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67 by eight years. The UK...

March 5, 2026
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05Mar

China outlines strategy to address population aging

China will advance a proactive national strategy in response to population aging, according to the government work report submitted on Thursday to the country's top legislature for deliberation. The report prioritizes elderly care services in rural areas. Minimum basic old-age benefits for rural and non-working urban residents will be raised, and the country's unified national management system for basic old-age insurance funds will be scaled up. The government will work to increase the supply of public-interest elderly care services, according to...

March 5, 2026
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05Mar

Yale study challenges notion that aging means decline, finds many older adults improve over time

Aging in later life is often portrayed as a steady slide toward physical and cognitive decline. But a new study by scientists at Yale University suggests an alternate narrative — that older individuals can and do improve over time and their mindset toward aging plays a major part in their success. Analyzing more than a decade of data from a large, nationally representative study of older Americans, lead author Becca R. Levy, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at...

March 5, 2026
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05Mar

New Retroactive Pension Payments for 37,000 in Greece

Anew round of retroactive pension payments is being implemented in Greece, targeting approximately 37,000 retirees, as the country’s main social security authority (e-EFKA) proceeds with gradual disbursements. The package concerns pending pension recalculations. Although pensions for these beneficiaries had already been recalculated, subsequent corrections and adjustments led to further increases. While the revised higher amounts were paid, the corresponding retroactive sums were not included at the time. These outstanding amounts will now be credited, covering the period from January 1,...

March 5, 2026
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04Mar

UK. Government urged to withdraw mandation from Pensions Bill

Pensions UK is calling on the Government to withdraw the power that would allow it to direct how pension schemes invest UK workers’ retirement savings from the Pension Schemes Bill. As drafted, the reserve power extends significantly beyond the Government’s stated intention of supporting the Mansion House Accord, a voluntary commitment by 17 of the largest workplace pension providers to invest at least 10% of their defined contribution (DC) default funds in private markets by 2030, with 5% of the...

March 4, 2026
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