April 2025

UK. TPR turns to AI in effort to detect scammers but government can do more to help

Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, comments on The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG) adopting the use of AI to detect scam websites: “Stopping pension scammers is a perpetual game of whack-a-mole. Whenever one scam is shut down another soon starts up in its place. That means it is vital that regulators and bodies like Action Fraud use every tool at their disposal to fend off scams as they emerge, closing down fraudulent...

UK government urged to amend pension rules to support sustainable growth

Lack of clarity over fiduciary duty and a heavy sustainability reporting burden are key issues for the pensions industry, says UKSIF At a glance The UK government is planning an overhaul of the investment rules regulating the pensions sector in attempt to spur growth and stimulate investment in UK assets Simplifying sustainability rules should be part of the reform agenda, with a greater focus on transition planning rather than lengthy disclosures, says UKSIF The fiduciary duty of pension trustees with regards to climate...

EIOPA launches liquidity stress test of European pension funds

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has launched its fifth stress test of European occupational pension funds, assessing the impact of two adverse economic scenarios on the liquidity position of IORPs and the overall sector. The two scenarios simulate sharp increases and declines in interest rates, respectively. “In the ‘yield curve up’ scenario, EU interest rates increase sharply as market participants anticipate economic developments related to the abrupt escalation of geopolitical tensions,” said EIOPA. “These geopolitical tensions cause disruptions in...

Seven trends shaping UK employment, incentives and pensions in 2025

As these plans evolve, their ripple effects will be felt into 2025 and beyond. Global forces add further pressure. Regulatory developments in the EU, US and beyond will demand UK employers’ attention as they adapt to the shifting landscape. We’ve identified seven key trends that will define 2025. Employers can use these insights to prioritise their strategies and stay ahead. 1. Employee litigation on the rise—new rights, new risks: The Employment Rights Bill’s sweeping reforms could trigger a surge in claims,...

March 2025

Considerations on ESG Investment Implementation

By Laura T. Starks Although interest in investing according to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards is widespread, investment managers face a number of basic considerations with their portfolio choices. In this article, I give a high-level overview of these considerations within the context of the investor motivation: ESG values, ESG value, or both. These considerations include whether investors should exclude certain firms or use a positive tilt; how they could integrate ESG into an investment approach; the role...

Egypt Enhances Social Insurance And Pension Systems For 2025

The Ministry of Social Solidarity accelerates pension disbursements ahead of Eid and outlines new insurance requirements for employees. The Ministry of Social Solidarity in Egypt has issued critical updates for employees regarding their insurance and pension benefits as the country approaches the month of April 2025. Aimed at enhancing the social safety net, the updates emphasize the process and methods for enlisting new employees into social insurance and ensure timely pension disbursement for existing beneficiaries. Starting with the enrollment in social...

February 2025

UK. Pension transfer times continue to fall as volumes increase

Simpler pension transfers took an average of 10.5 days to complete in 2024, while the volume of transfers increased, the latest Origo data has revealed. The overall average pension transfer figure, which allows for slightly more complex transfers where providers may need to rely on third parties for additional information, was 12.3 days in 2024. It also found that around half of all transfers were completed in just under seven working days, while for the providers opted in to share their...

Hong Kong raises ESG disclosure standards for MPF managers

Hong Kong’s pension regulator said money managers would need to raise their disclosure standards on environment, social and governance (ESG) funds to help contributors understand their risk management and investment strategies The 12 participating fund managers, or trustees, including HSBC and Manulife, should improve the transparency levels on ESG-related reporting in their pension schemes, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) said on Monday. The trustees must clearly state ESG strategies and focus on risk management in their brochures, as well...

The UK pensions dashboard faces new delays

The long-awaited pensions dashboard is facing fresh delays and may still not be ready to roll out next year – more than a decade after it was first proposed. The Government’s dashboard, designed to allow people to view all their pension pots in one place, has been beset by a series of delays and is tens of millions of pounds over budget. A National Audit Office report in May last year found that the cost of the project had increased from £235m in 2020...

Social Security Programs and Retirement around the World: The Effects of Reforms on Retirement Behavior

By Axel Börsch-Supan & Courtney Coile Employment among older men and women has increased dramatically in recent years, reversing a downward trend in the closing decades of the twentieth century. Social Security Programs and Retirement around the World examines how changing retirement incentives have reshaped labor force participation trends among older workers. The chapters feature country-specific analyses for Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They find that while there is significant heterogeneity...