July 2025

Dutch pension fund PME on ensuring alignment with asset managers

It is safe to say that asset owners are increasingly scrutinising how their managers are approaching sustainability. And PME, the Dutch pension fund for those in the metal and technology sector, is at the forefront of these efforts. The €59 billion asset owner is in the process of revising its approach to selecting and assessing managers to ensure the ones they use are delivering on its return expectations and are aligned with its values. Daan SpaargarenEvaluating managers on ESG is not new, notes...

UK. Most pension schemes not making use of impact reports in investment decisions

Whilst most UK pension schemes are receiving impact reports, very few are reading them closely or using them to guide investment decisions, research from Pensions for Purpose has revealed. The report, commissioned by Impact Frontiers, revealed that although the UK’s impact investing market is growing fast, expanding over 10 per cent annually between 2021 and 2023, many institutional investors remain unsure how to use impact data meaningfully. According to the report, whilst most pension funds assess whether their managers produce impact...

Germany. Alarming Wage Statistics Indicate Increased Risk of Poverty in Retirement

The risk of poverty in retirement is on the rise in Germany, as indicated by recent statistics that reveal alarming trends. A report suggests that millions may face financial difficulties in their later years due to inadequate income levels. According to data, almost one in five individuals over the age of 65 were considered at risk of poverty last year, a figure that has been steadily increasing in recent years. A recent response from the German government to a query...

UK. Government revives landmark Pensions Commission to confront retirement crisis that risks tomorrow’s pensioners being poorer than today’s

Millions of people could benefit from a more secure retirement as the Government today [Monday 21 July 2025] revives the landmark Pensions Commission to examine why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s and make recommendations for change. The Commission of 2006 was a huge success, building a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving that means 88% of eligible employees are now saving, up from 55% in 2012. However, new analysis shows that there...

Nearly 1 in 4 people in the U.S. over 50 are delaying retirement due to economic concerns, survey finds

About one-quarter of Americans over the age of 50 have been pushing back their retirement plans due to economic uncertainty and their financial readiness, a new survey finds. The survey, conducted by ROI Rocket for F&G Annuities & Life, polled 2,000 U.S. adults aged 50 and older who are financial decision-makers and have at least $100,000 in financial savings. Of this group, 23 percent said they are delaying their planned retirement date — a figure that shot up 14 percent from 2024. Half of...

Nigeria. IG orders security as retired cops plan pension protests

Retired police officers have reaffirmed their commitment to embark on a nationwide protest today, July 21, 2025, insisting that their action is devoid of any political agenda and solely focused on pressing for their exit from the pension scheme. The development comes as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, pledged to provide security coverage for the retirees and ensure the protest remains peaceful. He warned against any attempts by political actors or miscreants to hijack the demonstration. Speaking ahead of what they...

The Gig Economy’s Unstoppable Rise: How Freelancing is Reshaping Global Markets and Investment Strategies in 2025

The freelance workforce has become a cornerstone of economic resilience, with 1.57 billion independent contractors now representing 46.7% of the global labor force in 2025. This shift, driven by technological innovation and a generational redefinition of work, is not merely a trend but a structural transformation. For investors, the gig economy's rapid growth—projected to expand from $8.39 billion in 2025 to $16.89 billion by 2029 at a 19.1% annual growth rate—presents a compelling case for strategic allocation. The Forces Behind...

Ranked: The Countries With the Most Seniors (2025-2100P)

The world has entered a demographic transition that it’s never quite contended with before. As fertility rates fall and longevity rises, the share of people aged 65 and over is climbing rapidly. This visualization ranks the nations—having a population of at least one million—with the biggest senior populations today. It also shows how that lineup is set to change by 2100. Data for this visualization is sourced from the UN World Population Prospects, which tracks and projects the share of adults aged...

US. Institutional investors warm to crypto but demand still nascent

Bitcoin's surge to a record this week has reignited questions about the role institutional investors are playing in pushing it higher, with analysts suggesting their role is still in its infancy. The world's largest cryptocurrency earlier this week surged to a record above $123,000, receiving a boost on the expectation of pro-crypto policies from Washington. While buzz around digital assets has increased, there is room for demand from institutional investors to grow as pension funds and other long-term buyers add bitcoin to...

UK. Webb sets out ‘three tests’ for govt pension review

Former pensions minister and LCP partner Steve Webb has set out ‘three tests’ against which the second stage of the government’s pensions review should be judged. Focusing on the adequacy of pension savings, Webb said the first test needs to be questioning whether the review is given a ‘free hand’, including recommending reforms which will cost the government money. Most changes to the system, including getting people to save more, will have a cost implication, such as through higher costs of...