May 2021

China turns to private insurers to help unlock US$15.3 trillion of savings and avert a crisis in state pension system

This is the 11th in a series of stories about China’s once-a-decade census, which was conducted in 2020. The world’s most populous nation released its national demographic data on May 11, and the figures will have far-reaching social policy and economic implications. Read also China population: state pension fund under pressure from ‘unprecedented challenge’ as nation gets older Some of China’s biggest insurers are relishing the opportunity to unlock US$15.3 trillion of private savings, the size of the world’s second-largest economy,...

UK. Regulators ask industry for help on improving pension saving

The City watchdog and the Pensions Regulator have teamed up to investigate how people make decisions about their pension at key points throughout their working lives, in order to better support savers through future regulation. Read also UK. TPR sets three priorities in its new corporate plan The regulators today (May 18) launched a call for input from the pension industry on what influences consumers when saving into a pension and how they can be better supported to improve their pension...

US. What a Year Without Retirement Savings Can Do to Participant Outcomes

As americans faced financial hits related to the COVID-19 pandemic, their retirement savings might have suffered. Many employees were laid off or furloughed, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act made it possible for retirement plan participants to tap into their savings through increased distribution and loan amounts if they needed the money to make ends meet. Read also Retirement Planning Not A Priority For New Zealanders Fidelity Investments’ Pandemic Impact research, conducted last September, found employees were...

Investing in an Ageing Population

The world’s population is undeniably ageing. By 2050 there are likely to be 1.5 billion people aged 65 or over on the planet, up from 703 million in 2019. A report by the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs estimates that by 2100 some 61% of the world’s population will be over 65. Already today, those in this age group represent more than a fifth of the population in 17 countries and by 2100 this will be...

Aon to sell pension, investment consulting units in Germany to LCP

Aon agreed to sell its pension consulting, pension administration and investment consulting businesses in Germany to consultant Lane Clark & Peacock as the firm seeks to secure clearance from the European Commission for its merger with Willis Towers Watson. In a news release Monday, Aon said the deal with LCP "resolves questions raised by the European Commission with respect to the markets in which these businesses are active." The commission has been investigating competition issues related to the Aon-WTW merger...

UK pension fund USS buys half of 4-GW solar platform in Spain

UK private pension fund, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), has made a deal to acquire a 50% stake in Spain-based renewables platform Bruc Energy, it was announced on Monday. Bruc Energy operates as an investment vehicle of Spanish fund manager Bruc Management and is focused on solar photovoltaic (PV) assets in Spain and Portugal. The vehicle is co-owned by Canadian pension fund OPTrust and Juan Bejar, Spanish businessman and chairman of Bruc Management. USS has invested EUR 225 million (USD 273m)...

Managing a Retirement Plan Doesn’t Have to Be a Headache

COVID-19 wreaked havoc on our economy. Customers vanished and supply lines evaporated, as employees adjusted to a new paradigm of working from home. Wild swings in securities markets were a symptom of the pandemic. C-suite executives, who also found themselves working remotely, are still being pulled in multiple directions. Among the hardest-hit industries have been retail, oil & gas, hospitality and travel. In the past year, we’ve seen top national brands such as J.Crew and Neiman Marcus seeking reorganization under...

Spain. Government And Social Agents Will Evaluate The Formula For Raising Pensions

The soap opera of the revaluation of pensions could close the chapter. The Government and the social partners will carry out, within the framework of social dialogue, a periodic evaluation every five years of the effects of the new formula for the revaluation of pensions with the CPI, to which the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations finally agreed. , José Luis Escrivá , for the maintenance of purchasing power. This is reflected in the draft agreement on pensions...

Jamaica. Senator proposes to scrap NIS contributory system

Opposition Senator Damion Crawford has proposed that a portion of the general consumption tax (GCT) collected by the Government be used to pay pensions. In his proposal to scrap the current National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributory system, Crawford pointed out that many Jamaicans are reluctant to pay over funds to the NIS, and only about 20 per cent subscribe to any pension scheme. Many, he said, are left destitute when they reach retirement. Employees and self-employed persons are required to be insured...

Australia. More risks than rewards seen in super fund reforms

Australia's government is counting on superannuation system reforms to get employees to play a greater role in maximizing their retirement savings, but industry participants fear more harm than good. Analysts warn the Your Future, Your Super reforms — outlined last October in Australia's 2021 budget proposal and set to take effect July 1 — are likely to constrain asset allocators and hurt the disengaged workers the reforms are ostensibly focused on helping. A final round of consultations, under the auspices of...