May 2020
19May

European insurers face increased risk exposures due to Covid-19, but market perceptions and imbalances remained at medium level

Today, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published its updated Risk Dashboard based on the fourth quarter 2019 Solvency II data. Despite the fact that some indicators used in this Risk Dashboard do not capture the latest market development in the context of Covid-19 outbreak, the expected deterioration of the relevant indicators reflecting all available information in a forward looking perspective has been considered in the assigned risk levels. This addresses the current situation of high uncertainty...

May 19, 2020
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05May

Nigeria. PenCom dissolves interim management committee for First Guarantee Pension, appoints new board

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has dissolved the interim management committee of First Guarantee Pension Limited. The committee was set up in August 12, 2011 to handle the affairs of the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), as part of the commission’s intervention pending the resolution of legal disputes. The intervention was also based on findings of routine and especial examinations carried out by the pension regulator. In a public statement that was released on Monday, PenCom announced that...

May 5, 2020
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04May

Top US pension plans eye private credit.

Some of America’s largest pension funds are looking to pour money into private credit to capitalise on dislocations across the market stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Both the $227bn California State Teachers Retirement System (Calstrs) and the $215bn New York State Common Retirement Fund have identified private credit as an opportunity for investors that have enough liquidity to lend to struggling companies. Meanwhile, data from FT Specialist publication MandateWire shows that numerous other public funds in the US are...

May 4, 2020
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04May

Top US pension plans eye private credit.

Some of America’s largest pension funds are looking to pour money into private credit to capitalise on dislocations across the market stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Both the $227bn California State Teachers Retirement System (Calstrs) and the $215bn New York State Common Retirement Fund have identified private credit as an opportunity for investors that have enough liquidity to lend to struggling companies. Meanwhile, data from FT Specialist publication MandateWire shows that numerous other public funds in the US are also looking...

May 4, 2020
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04May

Trouble with pensions is a lack of innovation

By Steve Watson Recent research found that two thirds of employers think that pensions are far too complicated and providers are not innovating enough to offer new and progressive products. The research, which looked at the challenges employees face when it comes to pensions, found that almost 45% of employers felt that ensuring all employees have adequate funds when they retire was a huge challenge. While auto enrolment has made a huge difference to the numbers of employees saving into...

May 4, 2020
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04May

Trouble with pensions is a lack of innovation

By Steve Watson Recent research found that two thirds of employers think that pensions are far too complicated and providers are not innovating enough to offer new and progressive products. The research, which looked at the challenges employees face when it comes to pensions, found that almost 45% of employers felt that ensuring all employees have adequate funds when they retire was a huge challenge. While auto enrolment has made a huge difference to the numbers of employees saving into...

May 4, 2020
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01May

ATP, PFA assets plummet as coronavirus hits

ATP, Hilleroed, Denmark, posted a -26% investment return for the three months ended March 31, as market fluctuations hit international equities and inflation-related securities. An update Thursday said the pension fund's return was equal to a 24.7 billion Danish kroner ($3.6 billion) loss, compared with a gain of 16.8 billion kroner for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The fourth quarter 2019 return was not available. Assets increased 0.4% to 889.5 billion kroner in the three months ended...

May 1, 2020
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April 2020
30Apr

Pension Fund Industry in Mexico: Analyzing the S&P/BMV Mexico Target Risk Index Series across Different Economic Crises

By Jaime Merino This article is reprinted from the Indexology blog of S&P Dow Jones Indices. It is unnecessary to give an update on today’s economic situation since most already have a wealth of information over the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. I will instead focus on another major concern: how have pension funds performed, and furthermore, are there similarities in how they have performed during other crises? After the S&P/BMV IPC dropped 16.38% from its highest monthly return posted...

April 30, 2020
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24Apr

Tesla appoints former head of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund to its board

Tesla has appointed Hiromichi (Hiro) Mizuno, former head of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund, to the board of directors. Today, Tesla announced that its board has authorized the number of directors on the Board of Directors to increase from nine to 10 in order to appoint Mizuno. Mizuno was executive managing director and chief investment officer of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund until last month. He was recently praised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk when he...

April 24, 2020
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22Apr

Australia. 500 firms to stop pension top-ups over coronavirus

Hundreds of companies are expected to abandon attempts to fill shortfalls in their pension schemes during the coronavirus crisis. The finding from pension experts suggests "top-up" contributions will be cut by at least £500m. Debenhams has already missed a payment and the Arcadia group, which owns Topshop, plans to stop them temporarily. Regulators are permitting the suspensions to help businesses survive. The pension schemes affected are the most valuable for staff because they guarantee a retirement income based on...

April 22, 2020
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