September 2025
18Sep

US. Rethinking Retirement A Four-Pillar Framework for Security and Sustainability

America’s retirement system needs an overhaul. Many retirees face inadequate income and persistent uncertainty. On the bright side, however, most Americans do have more money than ever before to finance their retirement. Thus, reforming our retirement system will not require significant government resources. But it will require a fundamentally new approach that considers all potential sources of retirement income. One key feature of our retirement system, the 401(k), was designed to generate wealth that supplements income from Social Security and...

September 18, 2025
News, ,
Read more...
17Sep

US. IRS finalizes Roth catch-up contribution rules, clarifies SECURE 2.0 provisions

The Internal Revenue Service has finalized regulations implementing key provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act, including new requirements for catch-up contributions in workplace retirement plans. The rules, announced Monday, set out how plan sponsors and administrators must handle after-tax Roth catch-up contributions for higher-earning participants, as well as increased contribution limits for certain age groups. "The final regulations provide guidance for plan administrators to implement and comply with the new Roth catch-up rule and reflect comments received in response to the...

September 17, 2025
News, ,
Read more...
12Sep

The world’s largest pension funds – 2025

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. The world’s top 300 pensions funds now stand at a record US$ 24.4 trillion This surpasses the previous record set in 2021, completing a three year recovery Yet asset growth slowed in 2024, increasing by 7.8% from...

September 12, 2025
Books, Books, Management, Reports, , , ,
Read more...
12Sep

2025 Read on Retirement survey

By BlackRock Workplace savers are feeling more confident about retirement—but plan sponsors aren’t on the same page. As the gap in outlook widens, advisors have a critical role to play. Uncover the insights shaping this divide. Navigating uncertainty and a growing divide Saver confidence is up but fragile. This year’s dip underscores how closely confidence tracks with market volatility. And while savers feel increasingly sure, only 38% of employers believe the majority of their employees are truly on track—a record low. The...

September 12, 2025
Books, Books, Pension design, Reports, , , ,
Read more...
12Sep

US. Worker Optimism About Retirement Rises, Actual Savings Contributions Fall

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of workers feel on track with their retirement savings, but there is a record gap between their confidence level and that of their employers, according to BlackRock’s 2025 Read on Retirement survey, published Monday. Only 38% of employers surveyed reported they believe at least 60% of their employees are on track with their retirement savings, a record low since BlackRock began its survey in 2016. Meanwhile, savers’ confidence is up 23% over the same period. “A decade of...

September 12, 2025
News, ,
Read more...
09Sep

Germany. Demographics hit pension systems with full force

Bolstering the still underdeveloped second and third pillars of retirement provision is unavoidable. Expanding occupational and private pensions via pension funds and insurers would not only help shrink – or even close – the private savings gap, but also ease the strain on public budgets by stabilising or even reducing transfers to the state pension system. And not least, it would mobilise additional capital for investment through contribution funds channelled into capital markets. Lack of ambition The new CDU/CSU/SPD coalition government,...

September 9, 2025
News, , ,
Read more...
05Sep

US. The milestone ages that matter most for retirement planning

Retirement is a journey marked by important milestones—ages at which decisions can have lasting impacts on financial security, health coverage and overall well-being. Because many federal employees have been facing major decisions this year about their retirement from federal service, understanding these ages is essential. Last week, we looked at the important ages that affect Social Security and Medicare. This week, let’s focus on Thrift Savings Plan deadlines and an important age for the FERS Basic Retirement Benefit. Age 50: The...

September 5, 2025
News,
Read more...
03Sep

UK. Employees risk retirement shortfall as saving priorities shift too late

Employees could face a significant retirement funding gap as many delay prioritising their pension until their 40s and 50s, highlighting the need for better engagement strategies, according to research from Fidelity International. The study, based on the views of more than 3,000 of Fidelity’s workplace pension members, revealed the financial “balancing act” employees face when trying to manage multiple goals, with retirement saving often losing out to more immediate pressures such as property and everyday expenses. For younger workers aged 18-34,...

September 3, 2025
News,
Read more...
03Sep

Canada. Half of retirement income now depends on private savings

Canada’s affordability crisis is leaving many households unable to save for retirement, while outdated public policies no longer reflect current realities. The Securities and Investment Management Association (SIMA) has released an action plan that calls for reform to strengthen Canada’s retirement savings framework and close gaps in the system. Andy Mitchell, SIMA’s president and CEO, said “Our plan lays out achievable, evidence-based strategies that will boost retirement security, enhance flexibility, reduce pressure on public programs, and support long-term economic growth.” He added...

September 3, 2025
News,
Read more...
02Sep

US. Retirement Planning In 2025: What’s On People’s Minds

If retirement has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. A record number of Americans are hitting retirement age this year, and it’s clear that rising living expenses and health care costs are giving many people pause. Whether you're approaching retirement or already settling into your golden years, now’s the time to check in on your financial game plan. Confidence Is Shaky And Inflation Is a Big Culprit According to Fidelity’s latest State of Retirement Planning study, just 67% of...

September 2, 2025
News, , , ,
Read more...