February 2026

UK. Trustees urged to integrate ESG across DB endgame routes as pricing risks evolve

Defined benefit (DB) pension scheme trustees must take a holistic and proactive approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks as endgame strategies evolve, a guide from Isio has stated. In its Endgame Sustainability Guide, the firm noted that discussions around endgame targets were shifting, with trustees now facing greater optionality between insurance, consolidation, and run-on strategies, rather than pursuing a single objective of full funding on a prudent basis. Isio head of sustainable investment, Cadi Thomas, warned that ESG risks were...

CalPERS appeals for ‘strong’ GPs in current political climate

California Public Employees’ Retirement System needs “strong” GPs to endure political opposition to climate and sustainability investments, according to CEO Marcie Frost. “We are getting a little more demanding about the capital, making sure that we have more values alignment,” Frost said during a keynote interview at PEI Group’s NEXUS 2026 in Orlando on Tuesday. “We need our GPs to be strong. We need our GPs to withstand the political pressures that they’re getting in addition to the political pressures that CalPERS continues to...

Revolutionary ‘Department of Future Aging’ transformed a German town for its elders

The world is getting older, and it’s getting older quickly. In 2019, there were approximately 700 million people aged 65 and older. The UN predicts that the number will more than double by 2050. In the U.S., the Census Bureau estimates that retirement-age residents will outnumber children for the first time in the nation’s history by the 2030s. Clearly, helping the aging population live their later years with as much comfort and dignity as possible is a growing concern. And one German town is...

U.K. Pension savers increasingly turning to AI when starting retirement planning

Pension savers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI), rather than financial guidance or advice websites, to begin their retirement planning, according to PensionBee. The pension provider analysed data on Google keyword searches and traffic to free advice websites, and found that AI was increasingly satisfying the typical, early-stage needs of pension holders when they start to consider pension and retirement options. It noted that the rise of ‘AI Overviews’ may be reducing the need to go direct-to-source for important information...

US. Retirement Asset Ownership Is Widespread Among Gig-Worker Households

As the gig economy has grown, so too has concern that a workforce increasingly made up of freelancers, independent contractors, and app-based workers is falling through the cracks of the US retirement system. Because gig workers can sometimes lack access to employer-sponsored plans, they are often portrayed as disengaged from long-term savings and at a heightened risk of financial insecurity in retirement. These assumptions have shaped policy debates, media coverage, and calls for reform, often treating gig work itself...

U.K. How CDC schemes can be a win for every generation

As collective defined contribution (CDC) enthusiasts and people who are committed to finding a way for pensioners to enjoy a substantial annual income in retirement without making complex investment decisions, we are delighted that the pensions industry seems unified on the CDC performance debate. Whether CDC schemes outperform standard DC by 20% or 60% is a matter of assumptions and perspective, but it's generally agreed that: "through pooling of longevity risk, and adopting a higher return-seeking investment strategy, CDC can...

Nigeria. Fighting poverty in retirement: The role of pensions for informal workers in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the word “pension” evokes different reactions. For many civil servants and corporate workers, it symbolises hope for a near-comfortable retirement. However, for the majority of Nigerians working in the informal sector, it represents a bleak future. These are the market traders, motorcycle riders, small-scale farmers, artisans, and workers in countless micro and nano-scale businesses. With approximately 90% of Nigeria’s workforce operating outside the formal economy, pension coverage for informal workers is almost non-existent. Believe me, this has...

UK. Research finds gap between pension holders’ investment beliefs and knowledge

Pension holders believe it is important to know where their pension is invested but few actually know what their money is funding, research from Nest Pensions has shown. The workplace pension scheme found that 83 per cent of UK pension savers thought it was important to understand where they were invested, but just 24 per cent actually knew. Nest stated that this gap mattered as people missed the fact their pension was “one of the most powerful” financial tools they have...

US. How One Extra Dollar of Income Can Cost You Thousands in Retirement

As a retiree, any extra income probably feels welcome. But unfortunately for some, a seemingly minor increase in reported income can ripple through your finances, affecting not just your tax return but also your Medicare premiums. If you're on Medicare, the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) means that crossing an income threshold by even one dollar can trigger higher Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. Understanding how IRMAA works is essential — especially when a single dollar can make a difference....

Nigeria. Ogun introduces fresh pension benefit to boost CPS confidence

The Ogun State Government has introduced an Additional Pension Benefit (APB) to address stakeholder concerns following the full implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in the state. Approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun, the initiative was announced after consultative meetings with organised labour, the State and Local Government Pension Administration Committees, and the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo. The CPS became fully operational in Ogun State on July 2, 2025. The APB is a one-off payment at retirement designed to...