June 2026

Why Hasn’t the Labor Shortage Pushed Up Real Wages?

For a dozen years, the Bank of Japan, the government, and stockbrokers have all been promising that a labor shortage in Japan will soon push up wages. And that faith is behind the BOJ’s decision that it’s time to normalize interest rates. Here’s the argument. Due to the declining working-age population, companies in 2014 offered 1.2 jobs for every job seeker. By 2019, the ratio had climbed to 1.6 and is now 1.2. So, it is argued: when demand...

How to turn retirement savings into reliable income

Retirement planning ultimately comes down to one question: How can you turn your savings into income that supports the life you want? The challenge isn’t just saving enough—it’s whether those savings can provide reliable income tailored to your needs and priorities while accounting for the risks of unpredictable markets and life events. Why turning retirement savings into income can be difficult Retirement planning is inherently personal, such that no two retirements look exactly alike. Two investors with similar account balances may...

Vietnam to raise pensions and social security benefits from July 1

Around 3.4 million pensioners and social insurance beneficiaries will receive an 8% increase under the government's latest social welfare measures. Vietnam will implement a series of social welfare adjustments from July 1, increasing pensions, social insurance benefits and assistance payments for millions of people as part of efforts to offset inflation and improve living standards. Under Government Decree No. 161/2026, the statutory base salary will increase from VND2.34 million ($92) to VND2.53 million ($100) per month from July 1. The adjustment...

May 2026

US. Aging in place comes with major financial hurdles

More than 75% of older Americans say they want to “age in place,” or live in their home for as long as possible. Sounds reasonable. But 40% have doubts about whether that's possible, according to a survey by AARP. For many, financial constraints will force them to downsize, relocate to a less expensive city or state or move in with family or into an independent retirement or assisted living community. Money issues such as the cost of age-proofing a home, the...

Europe’s wage and pension gaps reveal deep east-west divide

Who earns most?: Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Iceland top average wage rankings, while Eastern and Southern nations remain at the lower end. Pensions vs. costs: In 20 of 39 European countries, pensions fail to cover living costs, with the worst gaps in Georgia, Albania, and Ukraine. Minimum wage spread: Luxembourg, Ireland, and Germany lead nominal minimum wages, but purchasing power narrows the gap between east and west. OECD’s 2026 wage report shows stark disparities The OECD’s 2026 data reveals average gross wages ranging from €18,590 in Turkey...

Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout

Retirement may not unfold the way most people (or planners) expect, and new research from the suggests that without a reliable income floor, the consequences can be severe. The Employee Benefit Research Institute study tracked how household net non-housing assets shifted across a roughly three-decade window using longitudinal data from the 1992–2022 Health and Retirement Study. What it found challenges the conventional image of retirement as a steady, predictable spend-down of accumulated wealth. Asset drawdown varied dramatically depending on how much a retiree...

New Economics of Retirement: New Solutions Provide a Ray of Hope

By Goldman Sachs In our annual Retirement Survey & Insights Report, we are pleased to present findings that may challenge conventional wisdom about retirement preparedness in America. While many acknowledge the looming retirement crisis, the traditional advice to simply save more may fail to account for the complex and evolving realities faced by millions of Americans. This year’s report introduces the "new economics of retirement,” as we grapple with the question “does the retirement math still work?” The report illustrates how rising costs...

Europe’s demographic challenge: how to guarantee intergenerational fairness in pensions and beyond

Engaging younger generations earlier  The core challenge is timing. Pension planning often begins too late, even though early contributions are crucial. Yet for many young people, retirement feels too distant to prioritise.  Speakers highlighted financial literacy and pension awareness as key tools but stressed that education must go hand in hand with practical solutions. Well-designed systems, such as automatic enrolment, can significantly increase participation, while pension tracking tools can help individuals keep oversight in increasingly mobile careers.  Addressing persistent inequalities   Fairness between generations...

US. Pension income in 2026 reshapes safe withdrawal strategies

Pension changes withdrawal: Guaranteed income covering 40%+ of expenses can justify higher withdrawal rates than the 3.9% baseline. COLA protects income: Inflation-adjusted pensions help maintain purchasing power, supporting more confident portfolio draws. Advanced strategies rise: Dynamic Spending or Guardrails can exceed 5% withdrawals when backed by a strong income floor. Why 2026's economic conditions change the retirement math Morningstar’s 2026 guidance starts retirees at a 3.9% withdrawal rate due to current market valuations. Research from Wade Pfau and the Journal of Financial Planning indicates that when...

The Impact of Corporate Employment: Minimum Wage or Social Insurance Policy? — Evidence from China

By Junpeng di, Wanhe li & Mingyuan zhang China's minimum wage standards and enforcement have been on the rise, and the academic community generally believes that minimum wage increases enterprise labor costs and has an important impact on employment. However, less attention has been paid to social insurance, which is also a cost for Chinese companies. This paper considers both minimum wage and social insurance policy at the same time, and firstly analyzes the influence mechanism of the two on...