November 2021

US. Major Pension Fund Adds Leverage As Assets Push Half A Trillion

The CalPERS Pension Fund, has resolved to change its investment allocation next year. The new asset mix reduces public equity exposure adding exposure to private equity, fixed income and real assets. However, the more interesting angle is that total exposure for the fund is now 105% rather than 100%. That is to say, the fund will borrow to fund its investment portfolio. Read also US. For a workforce in flux, retirement plans and benefit options may be increasingly important Leverage Though the fund...

UK. Investment consultants publish ESG metrics for consistent reporting

A group of investment consultants working in the UK has come up with a list of environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related metrics for all public equity and public credit asset managers to report on, or work towards being able to report on, as soon as possible. The Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group (ICSWG) said the list was based on metrics that institutional investors were increasingly seeking to collect from asset managers. Anthony Soothill, chair of Telefonica UK Pension Plan Trustees, is...

Bangladesh. Guardian Life launches “Ajibon Pension Plan” – A Complete Retirement Solution

Believing in "Insurance for All", Guardian Life has been at the forefront of innovation in terms of products, services and business models to minimize financial risks of customers. As Guardian Life believes in customer-first policy, the company has always been committed in meeting the diverse needs of the customers. To cover more people under the shade of Guardian Life, a new product- "Ajibon Pension" plan has been launched which is a first of its kind in Bangladesh, states a press...

Nigeria. Pension schemes subscribers increased by 3.6% year-on-year in 2020 – PenCom

The National Pension Commission, PenCom, has disclosed that the total membership of the pension Schemes increased by 3.6% from 8.95 million from December 2019 to 9.3 million in December 2020. This is according to the Commission’s recently released 2020 Annual Report. Growth in the industry is said to have been triggered by factors such as increase in the level of compliance by the public and private sectors owing to steps taken by the commission to improve compliance and coverage, as well...

Milliman: Pension risk transfer premiums more competitive

Pension risk transfer premiums became more competitive in October as deal volume is set to increase in the fourth quarter, a study by Milliman showed. The estimated buyout cost as a percentage of accounting liabilities (accumulated benefit obligation) was 102.5% as of Oct. 31, down from 102.7% as of Sept. 30, according to a report of the Milliman Pension Buyout index. September's premium was up significantly from 102.2% as of Aug. 31. Meanwhile, the average annuity purchase rates among the most competitive rates...

US. House committee advances bipartisan retirement security bill

The House Committee on Education and Labor approved a bipartisan retirement security bill Wednesday in a voice vote. The Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act, or RISE Act, includes several ideas that have been introduced as stand-alone bills and as parts of larger retirement security bills, including the creation of a national online lost-and-found database for retirement accounts at the Department of Labor and enabling 403(b) plans to participate in multiple employer plans and pooled employer plans. Read also US. Newly...

UK. Huge increase in pension schemes with over £1bn

There has been a 90% increase in the number of UK pension schemes with over £1bn in assets since 2013, research by Barnett Waddingham has uncovered. In a report published today, the researchers also reveal how 55% of pensions schemes studied were closed to accrual this year, up from just 15% eight years ago. Expansion of pension scheme assets has meant more significant challenges for trustees and employers at a time when there’s about to be a step change in regulatory...

Ghana. Employers must pay pension contributions of casual workers – TDCL

Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) has called on the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to ensure that employers enrol their casual workers on pension schemes. Mr Emmanuel Addo-Kumi, Vice Chairman Tema District Council of Labour, told the Ghana News Agency that even though laws were covering the payment of pension for workers, some companies did not do so, especially for their casual workers. Mr Addo-Kumi said, “the casual workers are complaining, some companies don’t pay which is against the law,...

In the race to a net-zero and inclusive future, Canadian pension funds have a critical role to play – and a new report shows how

In a fast-changing world where global investors are embarking on the largest reallocation of capital in history, pursuing sustainability and inclusivity offers social, environmental, and investment benefits. To seize this unprecedented opportunity, and maintain their tradition of excellence, Canadian pension funds must play a vital role in realizing a sustainable, inclusive future, says a landmark new release. This report emerges from a partnership between The Natural Step Canada, Smart Prosperity Institute, and Corporate Knights, and extensive collaboration with an...

Macron: No pension reform in France before elections

In his address to the nation, Emmanuel Macron announced that there would be no pension reform before the end of his current presidential term, effectively abandoning one of his flagship policies, for now at least. Pension reform has long been an objective of Macron’s presidency. The aim was to merge France’s dozens of separate pension systems into one simplified system. Read also Build a Solid Risk Management Road Map Attempts to push the reform through have been met with significant resistance, with...