March 2025

UK. How US stock market falls could affect your pension – and what to do about it

Stock markets in the US fell sharply on Monday, with worries about the economic impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs thought to be behind the dip. The S&P 500, a stock market index tracking the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States, was down over 8 per cent at close on Monday compared to its all-time high in February. The Nasdaq, which focuses more on technology stocks, also dipped, as did Asian markets at...

Pension funds should take climate risk more seriously, say experts

Pressure is mounting on pension funds to take more account of climate change risks, with campaigners calling on trustees to make sustainable investment decisions and use their voting power to push companies they invest in to go green. They also want  governments to consider tighter regulation to force transparency. The push comes as some big pension funds are already taking more action on climate despite US president Donald Trump’s hostility to ESG, and some companies are backtracking on climate commitments...

UK. A shocking number of over-40s think they’ll have to work past pension age – for one clear reason

A huge number of over-40 workers in the UK fear they’ll be unable to retire from the workforce until into their 70s - because they won’t have the pension in place to do so. New research data shows more than a third of over-40s think they’ll still be working far past the state pension age, currently 66, while over a quarter are concerned they don’t know enough about their pension plans because their employers do not provide the necessary information. In the UK, the deadline...

Oman. Early retirement poses risk to pension fund sustainability: SPF CEO

Early retirement remains a major challenge to the sustainability of pension funds in Oman and the Gulf region, according to Dr Faisal bin Abdullah al Farsi, CEO of Social Protection Fund (SPF). He also said that extended provision of job security benefits is straining the fund’s reserves. Speaking at the inaugural session of Communication Dialogue, organised by Government Communication Centre, Farsi emphasised the need for reforms to ensure long-term financial stability. He noted that early retirement is a system unique...

Germany. Gender discrimination in company pension schemes: Need for action and cost risks

As is well known, the Pay Transparency Directive imposes a need for action on companies. Employee comparison groups must be established to identify potential gender pay gaps. Employees are granted extensive and highly detailed rights to information, which must also be actively communicated. Even during the recruitment process, companies must be able to provide information about their remuneration systems. Comprehensive reporting obligations apply for companies with 100 or more employees, requiring the disclosure of remuneration structures. The greater involvement...

Thailand. Social Security Board approves fairer pension calculation

The Social Security Board has approved an adjustment to the calculation of retirement pensions to ensure fairness among Section 33 and Section 39 insurers on Tuesday. Marasri Jairangsee, secretary-general of the Social Security Office, stated that the three-hour discussion included representatives from employers, employees and the government. “Labour Ministry permanent secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyut, who chaired the Social Security Board, has approved the adjustment to the pension calculation for Section 33 and 39 insurers,” she said. She explained that the adjustment has been under...

America’s aging population faces a growing shortage of geriatric care

Jerry Gurwitz, a 68-year-old geriatrician based in Massachusetts, is at a tricky point in his career. He's spent decades taking care of older Americans, but now, as Gurwitz approaches the age of some of his own patients, he sees a brewing problem with his profession: there aren't many people willing to take his job, and he has serious doubts over whether there will be enough doctors to properly take care of people as they get older, he told Business Insider. Gurwitz,...

Most young Brits have no pension plan… despite hoping to retire EARLY

Millions of young Brits have zero pension plan despite believing they will retire young and be easily able to travel the world, new research has revealed. The damning YouGov findings by savings and investment business M&G have shown that more than three quarters of 18 to 24 year olds, alongside nearly half of 25 to 34 year old's, have not started making a financial plan for their post-work life. However, a substantial number of the 2,000 young people surveyed said that...

Singapore’s population is aging fast. It hopes AI can help manage its elderly care

From listening devices that detect falls to “patient sitter” systems in hospitals and robots helping with exercise in care homes, Singapore is looking to artificial intelligence to help manage the health of its elderly population. By 2030, a quarter of Singaporeans will be 65 or older — in 2010, the figure was one in 10 — and it’s estimated that around 6,000 nurses and care staff will need to be hired annually to meet Singapore’s health workforce targets. Technology is much needed to help fill the...

AFC chief pushes to unlock billions from African pension funds

The African Finance Corporation said it is accelerating efforts to mobilise the continent’s own money for investments, and tapping investors in the Middle East and Asia, as developing nations grapple with seismic shifts in geopolitics and funding flows. Samaila Zubairu, chief executive of the AFC – a development finance institution owned by Nigeria’s central bank and other African financial institutions – said in an interview the lender is ready to weather a world in which the United States and Europe...