November 2023
10Nov

The world’s largest pension funds – 2023

By Thinking Ahead Institute  The global top 300 pension funds is an annual study conducted by the Thinking Ahead Institute, in conjunction with Pensions and Investments. The research highlights high-level trends in the pension fund industry and provides information on how the characteristics of these top funds have changed. Key findings Assets Under Management (AUM) of the top 300 pension funds total US$20.6 trillion, having reduced by 12.9% in 2022, down from 8.9% growth the previous year Volatility and uncertainty in...

November 10, 2023
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08Nov

UK. Pensions notably excluded from King’s Speech

Speaking at the 2023 State Opening of Parliament this morning, the King did not mention any new pensions legislation to build on chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Mansion House reforms announced earlier this year. Reforms included the creation of the Mansion House Compact, alongside several consultations on issues such as defined benefit (DB) superfunds, deferred small pots, collective defined contribution and a value money for money framework. ‘Disappointed' The pensions industry has aired its disappointment over the lack of mention of pensions in the monarch's first King's Speech. Aegon pensions director Steven Cameron...

November 8, 2023
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October 2023
19Oct

US. Inflation Spurs Rethink of Retirement Savings Strategy, Survey Shows

Two-thirds of Those Surveyed Aren't Confident They Will Be Able to Retire When They Want Inflation is creating more worries for retirement savers, with many now changing how they are saving and investing to meet those goals, a new survey shows. Persistently higher prices from inflation is leading 60% of retirement plan participants to think differently about retirement, according to the 2023 Global Retirement Survey from MFS Investment Management. Three-in-four said they now need to save more for retirement than they originally thought,...

October 19, 2023
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13Oct

UK. Govt urged to using ‘more timely’ data for state pension triple lock

The government should consider using more timely inflation and earnings growth data as part of long-term plans for the state pension triple lock, Aegon has said. The September inflation figure that could be used for the state pension increase in April will be announced next week (18 October), although it is expected to be below the 8.5 per cent earnings growth figure for May-July, which was published in August. While Aegon acknowledged that state pension rises need to be confirmed early...

October 13, 2023
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September 2023
19Sep

UK. Systemic risks’ in pension schemes’ inflation hedging – SPP

There are systemic risks with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes’ inflation hedging, the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has warned in its latest research.According to its Vision 2023 report, the inflation hedge of a DB scheme is imperfect because a Retail Prices Index (RPI) asset is used to hedge an inflation-linked liability, where the inflation linkage of the latter is limited by caps and floors. “This means the amount of index-linked gilt exposure needed will change as inflation levels...

September 19, 2023
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15Sep

U.S. falls to 20th in Natixis retirement security index; Norway retains top spot

The U.S. now ranks 20th globally for retirement security, according to Natixis Investment Managers' 2023 Global Retirement index, dropping two spots from last year, due to such factors as high inflation, steep public debt and a sharp decline in U.S. health scores. These factors offset improvements in employment and income inequality, lowering the U.S. on a relative basis in the 44-country index, said a Sept. 13 news release. Natixis IM created the index in collaboration with Core Data Research and focuses...

September 15, 2023
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13Sep

UK. Sunak tells PMQs he is ‘committed’ to pensions triple lock

Criticised over the state's pension policy, the PM says the government is committed to the triple lock He did not specify that this would extend beyond the next general election It follows Commons questions about maintaining the state pension triple lock beyond the next general election Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asks the PM why Wandsworth escapee Daniel Khalife was not held in a category A prison The PM says such escapes are "extremely rare" and confirms an...

September 13, 2023
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12Sep

Inflation: Pensioners are worse hit —Nigeria

The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has said pensioners are the most affected by the inflation, following the removal of fuel subsidy in the country The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has said pensioners are the most affected by the inflation, following the removal of fuel subsidy in the country. NUP’s Head of Information, Mr Bunmi Ogunkolade, told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that pensioners are worse hit by the rise in price of goods in the market because of the...

September 12, 2023
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08Sep

Policy Forum: Pensions, Retirement Incentives, and the Role of Inflation

By Tammy Schirle This article describes the role of wage and price inflation for the retirement plans and well-being of registered pension plan members. The federal Public Service Pension Plan is used as an example to illustrate how wage and price inflation can be accounted for in pension design. Alternative scenarios illustrate the importance of pension plan provisions for the standard of living afforded retirees as well as incentives to delay retirement and continue working at older ages. Source @SSRN

September 8, 2023
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05Sep

UK. One in five cut back or axe pension saving – risking a poorer retirement

One in five people have cut pension contributions or stopped saving for retirement due to tighter household budgets, research reveals. Men, younger people and higher earners are the most likely to have pared back or axed pension contributions altogether, despite the serious damage this inflicts to their long term finances. Inflation also means people need to save up even bigger pensions than ever to fund a decent old age. Some 14 per cent of people have stopped saving into their pension and 8...

September 5, 2023
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