July 2025
01Jul

Ghana. Expand informal sector pension coverage – Minister charges NPRA board

The Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, has charged the governing council of the pensions regulator to expand pensions coverage to the informal sector. He said the sector held a significant share of the working population and untapped pension contributors of the country. “Innovative policies and tailored products must be developed to harness and protect the hard-earned savings of informal workers,” Dr Pelpuo said, when he swore in a 10-member board of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA)...

July 1, 2025
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June 2025
26Jun

India Gears Up To Launch Landmark Social Security Scheme For Gig Workers

In a major step toward formalising protection for India’s growing gig economy, the government is preparing to roll out a dedicated social security scheme for gig and platform workers under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)—the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance program. The announcement, made as part of the Union Budget 2025, marks a watershed moment for the country’s informal workforce, which has long remained outside the ambit of structured welfare systems. PM-JAY, also known as Ayushman Bharat, was...

June 26, 2025
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13Jun

Hong Kong’s gig economy workers want industry regulated. Can city deliver?

Hong Kong food delivery rider John Lam* cannot afford to make a single mistake while working. The 40-year-old takes extreme care while delivering orders on his motorcycle, knowing that if he has a work-related accident he will receive few employment benefits and minimal compensation. “I understand that being highly responsive to my phone can lead to more orders. But for safety reasons, I only handle my phone when my vehicle has completely stopped,” said Lam, who delivers food for the city’s...

June 13, 2025
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06Jun

The Future of Financial Inclusion: Fintech, Microfinance, and Alternative Banking Models

By Selina Zhan Financial literacy refers to the ability to make informed financial decisions through acquiring relevant knowledge and skills such as investing, budgeting, and asset management. Individual financial literacy is crucial as many governments around the world are unreliable when it comes to providing adequate and stable financial support to their civilians. Additionally, as institutions become more and more exclusive with their increasingly complex products, the need for financial literacy grows, especially as the cost of retirement rises each...

June 6, 2025
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May 2025
30May

The Early Retirement Gap: Does Job Satisfaction Matter Less for the Self-Employed?

By Raquel Justo, Adrian Merida & Juan A. Sanchis-Llopis Understanding the drivers of early retirement is increasingly important in the context of aging populations and growing concerns over pension sustainability. While extensive research has examined the retirement behavior of paid employees, the self-employed, who operate under distinct work arrangements and institutional contexts, remain comparatively understudied. This work examines whether job satisfaction influences actual retirement behavior differently for self-employed individuals and paid employees. Leveraging longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing...

May 30, 2025
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29May

US. PensionBee Launches SEP IRAs To Include Non-Traditional Retirement Savers

PensionBee, a leading online retirement provider, announced today the launch of Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRAs in its digital platform. This offering provides a best-in-class retirement solution designed for self-employed individuals. Self-employed Americans consistently report lower levels of retirement preparedness. Only about 13% of self-employed individuals in single-person businesses participate in retirement plans, compared to nearly 72% of traditional employees. The launch comes at a critical time as the gig economy continues its rapid expansion. By 2025, gig workers are expected...

May 29, 2025
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20May

Malaysia. Framework for gig workers to thrive

THE gig economy has rapidly grown in Malaysia, providing flexible work opportunities to millions of individuals across various industries. Gig workers, including ride-hailing drivers, food delivery riders, freelancers and digital platform workers, play a crucial role in the country’s labour market. However, despite their significant contributions to the economy, many gig workers face job insecurity, lack of social protections and unfair treatment due to the absence of a legal framework governing their rights. Recognising these challenges, the government is set to introduce...

May 20, 2025
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07May

Philippines. SSS Announces New Grants & Pensions for 2025

SSS Announces New Grants & Pensions: If you’re a Social Security System (SSS) member in the Philippines, 2025 brings some of the most comprehensive updates in recent years. The SSS has officially rolled out a host of new grants, expanded coverage, pension enhancements, and voluntary retirement savings programs, offering fresh opportunities for all member categories. Whether you’re a full-time employee, a self-employed professional, or a retiree, these changes are designed to enhance your financial security and retirement readiness. In a time of...

May 7, 2025
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06May

Informal sector and gender-responsive budgeting: Key to effective social spending

This week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka for the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) potentially unlocking another $ 344 million in financing. Amongst energy pricing and tax reforms, social protection remains a commitment under the IMF’s fourth review. However, the integration of gender-specific considerations, particularly the inclusion of women, within the IMF’s bailout program has been limited and could be the key to missed targets. Under the EFF arrangement, the...

May 6, 2025
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April 2025
24Apr

Canadian plan sponsors watch China’s pension opt-outs for gig economy warning signs

More than 40 percent of flexible workers in China—including delivery drivers, livestreamers, and freelancers—are choosing not to participate in the national pension system, according to Morningstar Canada. Their shift away from the system has contributed to the state pension fund’s first cash-flow deficit since 2018, raising concerns about its sustainability. 29-year-old delivery driver Liu Xin works six days a week in Chengdu but cannot afford the $195 monthly contribution to the state plan. “That’s two weeks of groceries,” he said. “I can’t lock...

April 24, 2025
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