February 2025
26Feb

US. Public Pension Plans Reach 5-Year High of 83.1% Funded

Public pension funds’ funded status has risen to a five-year high amid equity market strength, according to a study from the National Conference of Public Employees Retirement Systems. The annual NCPERS retirement study, which the organization has conducted since 2011, found that the average public pension has seen its funded status reach 83.1% through the first half of 2024, typically when the fiscal years for these plans ended. The report also found that discount rates have decreased to an average of 6.67%...

February 26, 2025
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26Feb

UK. U-turn shows pitfalls of unpicking pensions triple-lock

A pensions timebomb is ticking on the Isle of Man and the self-governing island off the UK's west coast came very close to defusing it last week. Like the UK, the island protects state pensions with the triple lock, which automatically increases the state pension each year by the maximum of three measures: price inflation, average earnings or 2.5%. The Isle of Man's government wanted to scrap the triple lock for some pensioners in its budget last week. But ministers were forced...

February 26, 2025
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26Feb

German economist suggests tapping into VAT to stabilise first pillar’s contribution rate

German economist and pensions expert Bert Rürup has proposed channelling one percentage point from VAT to the first-pillar pension system, a form of public subsidy to stabilise the contribution rate of the pay-as-you-go pension system, in an article published by Handelsblatt newspaper. One percentage point from VAT would mean channelling €16bn per year to the first-pillar pension system, he added. Rürup’s idea is akin to a model chosen in Switzerland under the reform of the first-pillar AVH21, with the increase of...

February 26, 2025
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26Feb

Long-running surveys help researchers track trends in aging

One of the largest recipients of National Institutes of Health funding at Johns Hopkins University is the Center on Aging and Health, an interdisciplinary effort spanning medicine and public health. And for good reason: There will soon be more adults aged 65 and older than children aged 5 and younger, according to U.S. census data. "This critical juncture accentuates the important nature of our research, which enables older adults to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives," Jennifer Schrack, director of the Center...

February 26, 2025
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25Feb

The Biggest Challenges Facing Older Americans: Insights from the Aging Advisory Group

Adults aged 50 and older are the fastest-growing age group of those experiencing homelessness, making up nearly half of the single-adult homeless population, which is estimated to triple over the next decade. Older adults are especially vulnerable to becoming homeless, as many live on fixed incomes that are insufficient to cover the cost of housing and other expenses. Aging Advisory Group To address the rapid increase of older adults experiencing homelessness, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in partnership with the RRF...

February 25, 2025
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25Feb

UK. Pension transfer times continue to fall as volumes increase

Simpler pension transfers took an average of 10.5 days to complete in 2024, while the volume of transfers increased, the latest Origo data has revealed. The overall average pension transfer figure, which allows for slightly more complex transfers where providers may need to rely on third parties for additional information, was 12.3 days in 2024. It also found that around half of all transfers were completed in just under seven working days, while for the providers opted in to share their...

February 25, 2025
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25Feb

Why a significant portion of Nigeria’s workforce remains vulnerable to old-age poverty – Aiku

Opeyemi Aiku is a seasoned investment management professional with over 19 years of experience in multi-asset portfolio management, high-net-worth advisory, pension fund oversight, and financial planning. She specialises in fixed income, equities, and alternative investments, applying her expertise in risk management, research, and strategic planning to help individuals and institutions achieve long-term financial stability and growth. As Senior Investment Manager at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria CPFA Limited, she oversees the Fixed Income & Research desk, ensuring fund portfolios align with strategic...

February 25, 2025
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25Feb

India. Voluntary pension scheme for all on cards: Won’t be tied to employment, will be open for all

The ministry of labour and employment has started deliberations on the umbrella pension scheme. "The scheme, which would be voluntary and contributory, will not be tied to employment and hence will be open for everyone to contribute and earn a pension," a senior government official told ET. The broad contours of the scheme under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) are being worked on, said the people cited. Pooling of Cess Once this exercise is over, the ministry will hold stakeholder consultations to...

February 25, 2025
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25Feb

Micro-retirement: has gen Z found a brilliant fix for burnout?

Is this one of those things where gen Z takes an old concept, gives it a new name and pretends they invented it? Not at all. The concept is taken from a 2007 book called The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. I take it back. Although nobody really talked about it until this year, when a bunch of TikTokers started doing it, so you’re partly right. So what is it? You know work-life balance? I am vaguely aware of it, yes. And you know how the company you work for only cares...

February 25, 2025
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24Feb

Pension funds boost contributions amid rising risks

Pension funds are bracing for heightened risks in 2025, with 74% of senior executives planning to increase contributions and 73% raising budgets for scenario modelling, according to Ortec Finance, a provider of technology and solutions for risk and return management. Despite 65% of executives reporting an improved funded status, many remain cautious about liquidity and long-term sustainability. The survey, which covered pension funds managing $1.451 trillion in assets across the UK, US, Netherlands, Canada, and Nordics, found that 84% expect...

February 24, 2025
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