September 2021
09Sep

China to accelerate developing multi-tiered social security system: action plan

China will accelerate its efforts in developing a sustainable multi-tiered social security system that covers the entire population in both urban and rural areas and follows fair and uniform standards, according to the country's latest human rights action plan. Titled "Human Rights Action Plan of China (2021-2025)," the document was released on Thursday by the State Council Information Office. Read also China launches wealth management product pilots for retirement in four cities Under the principle of social security benefits for all eligible,...

September 9, 2021
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
09Sep

APG launches first index funds to tap Dutch sustainability drive

APG Asset Management, the largest pension fund provider in the Netherlands, said on Wednesday it would begin offering index products and said its fund clients had pledged an initial 1 billion euros ($1.19 billion) to a low-carbon strategy. APG's asset management unit oversees around 613 billion euros on behalf of pension schemes and companies, serving 4.7 million members in sectors from cleaning to construction. In partnership with index provider Qontigo, part of Deutsche Boerse, and with BlackRock, the world's biggest asset...

September 9, 2021
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
08Sep

UK. Pensions triple lock scrapped as another Conservative manifesto pledge broken

The pensions triple lock pledge has been scrapped for the 2022/23 financial year in another break of pledges made in the Conservative party manifesto. Read also UK. Scottish fintech firm set to help build pensions dashboard The moves announced today mean that pensions will not rise by 8% next April, but will instead rise by the rate of inflation, which currently stands at 2.5%. The triple lock ensures the state pension will increase in line with either the rate of inflation, wages,...

September 8, 2021
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
08Sep

Sweden. AP2 continues sustainability journey with stellar returns and costs

Swedish buffer fund, AP2, has incorporated Paris-aligned rules into its benchmark construction for global and emerging market equities. This year it turns its attention to Swedish and Chinese equities. The moves come on the back of the best-ever half year return for the SEK421.2 billion fund and its lowest ever costs. AP2 is one of the originals, a long-time ESG investor that has sustainability at its core. It started to divest from fossil fuel exposed companies in 2014 with a rationale...

September 8, 2021
News, Slider, , , ,
Read more...
08Sep

US. Retirement Reforms Included in Key House Committee Budget Language

The Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives will begin debate Thursday on a set of major budget reconciliation recommendations, as directed by Section 2002 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The mechanics of congressional budget reconciliation legislation are complicated, but as explained in a white paper published by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, reconciliation bills are not subject to filibuster. In other words, that means the legislation only needs...

September 8, 2021
News, Slider, , ,
Read more...
08Sep

Pension withdrawals by departing Hong Kong residents hit $270 mln in second quarter

Residents leaving Hong Kong withdrew HK$2.095 billion ($270 million) from Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) pension accounts in the second quarter, up 111.6% from the same period in 2020. A sweeping security law imposed on Hong Kong in June 2020, aimed at anything Beijing regards as subversion, secession or terrorism, prompted residents of the city to move tens of billions of dollars to other countries including Canada, where thousands hope to forge a new future. read more A total of 8,000 claims...

September 8, 2021
News, Slider, , ,
Read more...
08Sep

India. PFRDA proposes changes in premature exit rules for Atal Pension Yojana, facilitates timely payment of money

By Navneet Dubey To increase acceptability of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) scheme among informal sector workers, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has proposed modifications in premature exit processing for the benefit of subscribers. APY is a social security scheme administered by PFRDA through banks and the department of post. The scheme offers guaranteed pension benefits to eligible citizens after reaching the age of 60 years, who subscribe and contribute to the scheme. According to a PFRDA circular issued on...

September 8, 2021
News, OP Ed, Slider, ,
Read more...
07Sep

Sustainable investing gaining ground in Asia

Sustainable investing continues to gain ground in Asia, with governments, pension plans and asset managers moving to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their investment strategies, a new study finds. Globally, most pension fund investors stayed the course with their asset allocation, even amid heightened volatility and uncertainty over the last year, according Mercer’s Asset Allocation Insights 2021 report. Foreign equities now represent 51% of aggregate equity allocations globally, the first time since 2013 that exposure outside of investors’...

September 7, 2021
News, Slider, , ,
Read more...
07Sep

HP ships off $5.2 billion in pension liabilities

HP Inc., Palo Alto, Calif., has entered into an agreement to purchase a group annuity contract from Prudential Insurance Co. of America to transfer about $5.2 billion in U.S. pension plan liabilities. The transaction, which removes nearly half of the computer hardware company's U.S. pension plan assets from its balance sheet, is scheduled to close in the company's fiscal year fourth quarter ending Oct. 31. When completed, the group annuity purchase will transfer the benefit-paying responsibility for about 41,000 retirees and...

September 7, 2021
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
07Sep

UK. Scottish fintech firm set to help build pensions dashboard

The Pensions Dashboards Programme has appointed its central digital architecture suppliers, with technology services giant Capgemini and Scottish fintech firm Origo delivering the pensions finder, authorisation service and governance register. The procurement followed an extensive period of engagement, with both the pensions industry and potential suppliers, which shaped the development of the technical requirements. The five-month procurement started with the invitation to tender in April and its conclusion marks the end of the first phase of the programme. It now moves into...

September 7, 2021
News, Slider, ,
Read more...