February 2026

UK. Industry urged to ‘break cycle of failed ideas’ on pensions adequacy

The pensions industry risks “sleepwalking into another generation of under-saving” unless it experiments with new approaches to member engagement, People's Pension has warned. The master trust argued that traditional, well-intentioned efforts to boost pensions adequacy had delivered limited success in recent years and called on the industry to support bolder, more innovative engagement strategies. In particular, the scheme urged greater focus on Generation Z, which it identified as the cohort most likely to opt out of pensions but with the longest...

US. Investors First: The New Rules of Retirement

Kunal Kapoor: Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to the latest episode of our Investors First series. Today, we are going to talk about the new rules of retirement planning, and I’m thrilled to welcome two of my colleagues and friends here to join me today: Brock Johnson, who leads Morningstar’s retirement business, and Christine Benz, who’s our director of personal finance and retirement planning. Welcome, both of you. Great to have you here at a moment when it feels...

January 2026

India. Central Government approves wage and pension hikes for PSGICs, NABARD and RBI

The Central Government has officially approved wage and pension revisions for employees and retirees of Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This decision is expected to benefit approximately 46,322 employees and over 46,000 pensioners and family pensioners across these institutions. According to the government, the move 'reflects Government's continued commitment and emphasis on social security and financial well-being of employees and pensioners.' For those working...

Underpensioned: Analysis of Pensions Wealth data

By Pensions Policy Institute This Technical Report provides details of analysis undertaken for now:pensions as part of the Underpensioned Series of reports. John Adams, Senior Policy Analyst, at the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), carried out the modelling and produced this report published in November 2025. The PPI is grateful for the input from Samantha Gould of now: pensions, in the production of this paper. Editing decisions remains with the author, who takes responsibility for any remaining errors or omissions. Sponsorship...

December 2025

US. Research Finds Slowdown in Spending During Retirement

Retirement spending is dynamic, with 60% of new retirees seeing their annual expenses fluctuate by more than 20% in the first three years, according to the J.P. Morgan Asset Management report, “Retirement by the Numbers.” “This means that compared to periods just before retirement, they see a 20% jump—up or down—in their annual spending compared to that baseline right before they retire,” Michael Conrath, J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s chief retirement strategist wrote in an email. Older retirees, aged 75 to 80,...

Dignity in Retirement: A Call for Pension Justice in Ghana

In Ghana today, pensioners face indignity in retirement: no cost-of-living allowance, no inflation-indexed increases, and shrinking benefits that erode their livelihoods. Meanwhile, executives enjoy perks while elders struggle to survive. This injustice demands urgent reform. To restore dignity and align with international social security standards, Act 766 must be amended without delay. Pension justice is not charity — it is a right, and Ghana must rise to meet it. The Crisis of Pensioner Welfare Retirement should be a season of dignity,...

Bulgaria: Over 2 Million Retirees to See Pension Increase in 2026

Pension insurance contributions will not increase in 2026, while pensions themselves will be updated from 1 July under the Swiss indexation formula, resulting in an expected rise of 7–8%. These measures are part of the revised 2026 State Social Security (SSS) budget, approved at first reading by the parliamentary budget committee. Minimum Wage Set at €620.20 From 1 January 2026, the national minimum wage will be €620.20. The minimum insurance threshold for self-employed persons will match this amount, also rising to €620.20. The maximum insurance income will be €2300, a slight decrease compared to the earlier draft...

Adequacy and Sustainability of Pensions

By Commission European Pensions are the main source of income for older people in Europe, coming mostly from 'pay-as-you-go' public schemes. Retired people drawing a pension are a significant and — due to demographic ageing — a growing part of the EU population (about 124 million, or a quarter of the total population1). European pension systems are facing the dual challenge of remaining financially sustainable and being able to provide Europeans with an adequate income in retirement. The key purpose of...

US. Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap

Chicago teacher pensions leave nearly 30,000 teachers without access to benefits and the Illinois General Assembly’s solutions not only won’t help, they’ll likely make things worse. What most retirees really need is flexibility. The Public School Teachers’ Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago recently released its annual actuarial report. It highlights why pensioners need more flexibility – not boosted benefits – to secure their retirements. 1) Nearly 30,000 former teachers aren’t eligible for retirement benefits By nature, a pension fund is designed to serve career...

November 2025

PPI Digest: Autumn Budget 2025

By Pensions Policy Institute Clearly, very difficult choices have had to be made in the Budget today. It was always unlikely that pensions would escape completely from this, even though both the Pensions Schemes Bill and the new Pensions Commission are seeking ways to increase the amount of money that future generations will have to support themselves in retirement. The introduction of a contributions cap of £2,000 on salary sacrificed pension contributions from 2029 will not affect many of those who...