October 2020

Portuguese schemes now required to report ESG investment

A new law has been introduced for Portuguese occupational pension funds requiring them to prepare a statement of investment policy principles detailing their approach to risk and to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. The law, which took effect last August, said the statement must include the methodology for assessing investment risk; risk management processes applied; and the asset allocation strategy followed, taking into consideration the type and duration of pension liabilities, as well as ESG factors. The statement...

Australia. Release the Retirement Income Review: Labor

Labor MP Stephen Jones has joined ASFA and the Business Council of Australia in demanding the government release the long-awaited Retirement Income Review ahead of more changes to super. Jones, who was speaking at an online event for ASFA, criticised the government's latest raft of superannuation reforms and the early release of super (ERS) program. "The Superannuation Minister [Jane Hume]- who flips and flops between ambivalent and conflicted in her own portfolio - argues that there is no cost...

South Africa. Deflation puts brakes on retired SA public servants’ pensions

For the first time since the 1990s, nearly 15,000 retired South Australian public servants will see their indexed pensions frozen until consumer prices bounce back – but the state Treasurer has intervened to ensure they don’t lose money. After this year’s record fall in the consumer price index, State Treasurer Rob Lucas has used his legislative discretion to maintain pension payments at their current level to more than 14,300 people in the pre-1986 scheme administered by Super SA....

Half of UK pension funds seek buy-out

About half of all UK defined benefit pension funds are now targeting a buy-out as their long-term objective, new research shows. A survey of 100 DB pension scheme trustees by consultancy Hymans Robertson revealed the number of pension funds aiming for self-sufficiency has dropped markedly in the past four years, down to just 37% from 81%. Now, the number of funds aiming for a buy-out has increased to 49% - up from just 15% four years ago. The remaining...

Thanks to the Coronavirus, There’s a New Barrier to Retirement Savings

Saving for retirement is hard enough for most Americans, many of whom have far too little money set aside. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown another wrench into the works: Millions of parents across the country have been left without good child care options. In fact, according to a July study from E*Trade Financial, 46% of parents indicated child care was a barrier to retirement, up six percentage points compared with the first quarter, before the pandemic set in....

E.U. Strengthening minimum income protection in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Council adopts conclusions

The Council adopted conclusions on strengthening minimum income protection in the EU with the aim to combat poverty and social exclusion during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Read also Portuguese schemes now required to report ESG investment The Council recognises that minimum income schemes contribute to the social protection of the most disadvantaged groups in society, including people hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. They also have a stabilising effect for the economy as a whole. The Council also acknowledges that...

Canada. Commission on Aging to hear about COVID-19 impact on elderly at Oct. 21 meeting

The meeting, which takes place Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m., will feature community resource organizations that assist and/or provide older adults with their everyday needs, such as food, supplies and medications The commission wants to hear how COVID-19 has impacted the older adults they serve and how they have modified their services during the pandemic. The presenters include: Mikayla Springob, Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of SW Washington Emily Kaleel, Clark County Food Bank Jeananne Edwards, Human...

US. Can designing DC plans with deferred income annuity options help fill the pension gap?

Pensions, which provided financial security in retirement for previous generations, are all but a thing of the past today, leaving employees looking for the best strategies to ensure they have sufficient savings and income in retirement to last them for as long as they live. Saving in 401(k) and individual retirement accounts is the primary tool today’s savers are using to achieve financial stability in retirement, but guaranteed income is also appealing. Social Security provides one guaranteed income stream...

Japan. An Unconventional Pension Fund Bets on Volatility’s Return

A small Japanese pension fund known for its aggressive bets on alternative investments is changing tack. The West Japan Machinery Pension Fund has an unconventional strategy with 90% of assets invested in the likes of loans and private equity. While still committed to alternatives and disavowing sovereign bonds, it has been pivoting away from low-liquidity assets such as PE and infrastructure debt, said chief investment officer Yoshisuke Kiguchi. “Instead, we have recently increased convertible bond arbitrage quite a lot...

Latin America’s new poor

When the pandemic struck Piura, a city in northern Peru, Daniel Zapata had a part-time job with a market-research firm. The 250 soles ($70) he earned each month paid his fees for a three-year course in business administration. The covid-19 recession put paid to all that. The firm closed, and Mr Zapata, who is 20 and lives with his parents and a sister, has dropped out of his course. The family received 760 soles in emergency aid from Peru’s...