May 2024

Why half of Japan’s cities are at risk of disappearing in 100 years

With contributions from around 370 celebrities, intellectuals and cultural figures of the time, the April 1920 edition of the now defunct Nihon Oyobi Nihonjin (Japan and the Japanese) magazine ran a special feature on what the country would look like in 100 years. Sakio Tsurumi, then-director of the government's Forestry Bureau, predicted that the nation’s population would grow nearly five-fold to around 260 million by 2020, approximately double what it actually is now. Professor Riichiro Hoashi of Waseda University expected...

México. Promueven el primer amparo colectivo contra Fondo de Pensiones

A dos días de la promulgación en el Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) del decreto mediante el cual se crea el Fondo de Pensiones para el Bienestar, 727 personas que laboran en los sectores público y privado, promovieron el primer amparo colectivo contra la determinación. La pensión tiene como propósito procurar el pago de un complemento a trabajadores en retiro. Con el monto adicional podrán recibir poco más de 16 mil pesos al mes. La demanda la presentó la firma...

Venezuelan National Assembly Approves Pension Protection Bill

The National Assembly of Venezuela approved on Thursday in the first discussion, the Social Security Pension Protection Bill, after it was presented to that body by the executive vice president of the South American country, Delcy Rodriguez. "We wanted to bring this bill that has 13 articles that seek special protection, through contributions and contributions of private business for the protection of pensions against criminal blockade"said Rodríguez and also recalled that the country’s income from the blockade was impacted by...

February 2024

U.S. Public Pensions Highly Vulnerable to Market Correction

Investment volatility has re-emerged as a key concern for defined benefit public pension plans since the pandemic began, signalling the risk that market corrections can set back progress in stabilizing funded ratios and trigger higher contributions, Fitch Ratings says. Asset values surged in 2021 followed by sharp reversal in 2022 and a rebound in 2023. Based on audits of almost 100 major state pension plans, fiduciary plan assets rose a median of 24.4% in fiscal 2021, then fell 7% yoy...

January 2024

Chile. Sin la derecha, comisión de la Cámara aprobó el fin de las AFP

Sin la derecha, cuyos representantes se retiraron de la sesión, la Comisión de Trabajo de la Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados votó este miércoles el primer capítulo de la reforma previsonal y aprobó la separación de la industria y, con ello, el fin de las Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones (AFP). Precedida del anuncio de la "suma urgencia" que le ingresó el Gobierno, la instancia sesionó dos veces esta jornada, primero al mediodía y luego durante la tarde. Esta última estuvo...

December 2023

Chile. Gobierno buscará acelerar pacto fiscal y reforma de pensiones ante un dividido Congreso post-plebiscito

Lo dijo el Presidente Gabriel Boric en su discurso de anoche en el Palacio de La Moneda. Con el proceso constitucional cerrado, el Gobierno pondrá el pie en el acelerador para intentar sacar adelante el pacto fiscal y la reforma de pensiones, los dos grandes proyectos que el Ejecutivo debe negociar en el Congreso. En el primero, ya ha enviado un borrador a los partidos políticos con seis ejes, en el que también se incluyen medidas proinversión, rebajas impositivas y...

U.S. pension funds heavily invested in China despite crackdown

U.S. proposals to clamp down on investments in China may be being undermined by continued funding from some of America's biggest institutional investors, new analysis shows. The majority of U.S. public pensions, as well certain universities and non-profit organizations, have committed funds to China and Hong Kong, including in sensitive technologies — some as recently as this year, according to a report by Future Union, a non-partisan trade organization. The 74 largest contributors have allocated more than $70 billion to companies...

The new longevity: Stanford center examines societal impacts of a population living longer

BY 2030, ONE in four Californians will be 60 years or older. By 2060, the percent of Californians in the 60+ age group will have increased three times faster than the total population. People are living longer than ever. Worldwide, the average life expectancy of a newborn has more than doubled since 1900, from 32 years to 71 years. Half of 5-year-olds in the United States today will likely live for 100 years or more. The Stanford Center on Longevity (SCL)’s mission is to...

October 2023

UK trustees should challenge advisors but government needs to lead change

Around £1.2 trillion of UK pension fund assets lies in around 5,000 defined benefit schemes that primarily invest in Gilts and corporate bonds. With a suite of initiatives, the government is attempting to get the country’s fragmented DB (and DC) pension sector to invest more in illiquid assets and help fuel economic growth, as well as exploring how to consolidate these funds into larger pools. The biggest UK pension funds like Railpen, Nest and LGPS already invest in alternatives and nine...

Chile. Reforma de pensiones: diputados llaman a que Gobierno ingrese indicaciones tras dos semanas de retraso

Esta semana la ministra del Trabajo y Previsión Social, Jeannette Jara, mantendrá el usual estilo que ha marcado los últimos meses de negociaciones en la reforma previsional. Tendrá conversaciones informales con diversos actores, en la incesante búsqueda de su cartera por concitar apoyo para las propuestas de indicaciones que debieron ingresar hace dos semanas y que fueron anunciadas por la propia ministra a principios de septiembre. Juan Santana, presidente de la Comisión de Trabajo de la Cámara, dijo que “los votos para ganar...