May 2025
08May

Europe’s costly military pensions complicate defence build-up

European nations want to spend big on artillery, missiles and drones, but costly military pension commitments risk constraining those ambitious plans, according to previously unreported NATO-member defence budget data compiled by Reuters. NATO's European members are rushing to ramp up spending on military hardware as a bellicose Russia threatens their eastern flank and U.S. President Donald Trump's long-term commitment to European security appears suddenly in doubt. But for over a dozen NATO members, whose military spending Reuters analysed, pensions make up a large - and largely overlooked -...

May 8, 2025
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07May

Largest 100 Corporate Pension Plans See Strong Increases in Funding Surplus

The largest U.S. corporate pension funds had a collective funding surplus last year for the first time since 2007, according to Milliman’s 2025 Corporate Pension Funding Study. Funding ratios of the Milliman 100 rose to 101.1% in fiscal year 2024, up from 98.5% in 2023. This is the first time these companies have had an average funding surplus since 2007, when that figure stood at 106%, before falling to 79% during the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. In fiscal 24,...

May 7, 2025
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07May

New buyout strategy for pension funds?

There is a wrinkle developing in the overall theme of depressed buyout markets, and especially difficult exit conditions. And it’s hardly a positive one. According to news reports, leading pension funds which used to be stalwart independent executors of buyout transactions are now pulling back from direct investment and pursuing more partnership deals with buyout firms. Higher borrowing costs have also reduced the allure of direct investment deals. Canada’s Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has already launched a strategic...

May 7, 2025
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07May

UK. Govt urged to require UK investment in ‘quid pro quo’ for pension tax reliefs

The government should "embrace bold pension reforms", Baroness Ros Altmann has said, suggesting that the government should require at least 25 per cent of new pension contributions to be invested in Britain as a "quid pro quo" for tax reliefs. Altmann pointed out that the gross tax relief for UK pensions each year amount to over £70bn of taxpayer money, as individuals are able to take a quarter of all pension funds tax free, and no National Insurance is paid...

May 7, 2025
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07May

Philippines. SSS Announces New Grants & Pensions for 2025

SSS Announces New Grants & Pensions: If you’re a Social Security System (SSS) member in the Philippines, 2025 brings some of the most comprehensive updates in recent years. The SSS has officially rolled out a host of new grants, expanded coverage, pension enhancements, and voluntary retirement savings programs, offering fresh opportunities for all member categories. Whether you’re a full-time employee, a self-employed professional, or a retiree, these changes are designed to enhance your financial security and retirement readiness. In a time of...

May 7, 2025
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06May

US. House Committee advances proposal to cut back on federal employee pensions

In April, Representative James Comer (R-KY) announced a series of proposals that would force many federal civilian employees to pay higher premiums for retirement benefits and to lower their benefits by changing the formula for calculating payments, and last week the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability approved, by a narrow vote, to advance the proposals. Last Wednesday’s vote now advances the bill to the House Budget Committee, where it may face resistance from Republican lawmakers who might be reluctant...

May 6, 2025
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06May

UK. DB pension schemes pulling ahead of sponsors on ESG progress

Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes are pulling ahead of scheme sponsors when it comes to making progress on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, research from LawDeb has revealed. The survey showed that both DB pension schemes and the sponsoring businesses behind them are relatively aligned in some key areas, as just over a third (34 per cent) of finance leaders surveyed think both the scheme and business are leaders in diversity ambitions. However, around the same number (32 per cent)...

May 6, 2025
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06May

Ghanaian PE, securities, pensions industry leaders sign compact to mobilise domestic capital

The Ghana Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (GVCA), one of Africa’s foremost VC industry associations, has launched an industry-wide “Compact” that champions local institutional asset allocations to venture capital and private equity. Founded in 2021, the Ghana Venture Capital Association (GVCA) acts as a key connector within Ghana’s private investment ecosystem, linking asset allocators, institutional investors, fund managers, portfolio companies, advisors, and service providers. Its growing membership consists of firms, including venture capital and private equity companies, institutional investors, and...

May 6, 2025
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06May

Informal sector and gender-responsive budgeting: Key to effective social spending

This week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka for the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) potentially unlocking another $ 344 million in financing. Amongst energy pricing and tax reforms, social protection remains a commitment under the IMF’s fourth review. However, the integration of gender-specific considerations, particularly the inclusion of women, within the IMF’s bailout program has been limited and could be the key to missed targets. Under the EFF arrangement, the...

May 6, 2025
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06May

UK. State pension top-up payments ‘could take months’ to reach pensioners

Pensioners who have topped up their National Insurance records have been issued a warning as they could potentially face a months-long wait for their state pension increases. The surge in state pension top-ups has reportedly resulted in a six to eight-month delay in processing payments. This year marked the final deadline for topping up state pension payments through voluntary National Insurance contributions. Under existing rules, you require 35 qualifying years on your National Insurance record - some individuals may need more...

May 6, 2025
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