April 2026
08Apr

Nigeria. Pension assets jump to N29.43 trillion in February 2026

Nigeria’s pension assets rose to N29.43 trillion in February 2026, marking a month-on-month increase of N1.39 trillion. This is according to the latest data released by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). The increase represents the strongest monthly expansion since the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme over two decades ago, surpassing the previous record of N1.18 trillion recorded in January 2024. What the data is saying  PenCom data showed that total pension assets increased from N28.04 trillion in January, driven by fresh contributions and...

April 8, 2026
News,
Read more...
07Apr

US. How Much Ages 65 to 74 Have Actually Saved for Retirement Today

How Many People in Their Mid-60s to Early 70s Have Any Retirement Savings People ages 65 to 74 sit at a financial crossroads: Many have reached their highest net worth even as their incomes begin to fall with retirement. According to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, 51% of households in their mid-60s to early 70s had money in retirement-specific accounts in 2022, the most recent year available.1 That's the highest percentage for this age range since 2007, but lower than what most younger age groups...

April 7, 2026
News,
Read more...
06Apr

Here’s Exactly What I Plan to Do if the Market Crashes as I’m About to Retire

As someone who writes about investing and personal finance, I'm well aware that a stock market crash can be nerve wracking at any time. But I also know that market downturns are nothing to panic about when you're decades away from retirement. But what if the market crashes just as you're about to retire? Talk about bad timing. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing...

April 6, 2026
News,
Read more...
01Apr

U.S. retirement savings hit alarming low

Median savings reveal stark reality New analysis from the National Institute on Retirement Security finds that U.S. workers aged 21 to 64 have a median of $40,000 in defined contribution plans, but when including those without savings, the median plunges to $955. This underscores a widening gap between retirement needs and actual savings, exacerbated by the decline of pensions. AARP data shows 20% of adults over 50 have no retirement savings, and 61% believe they lack enough for their later...

April 1, 2026
News,
Read more...

March 2026
31Mar

Hong Kong Considers 33% MPF Contribution Hike To Match Rising Cost Of Living

Earlier this month, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority ("MPFA") announced that it is reviewing the maximum and minimum income levels for MPF contributions, which have remained the same for the last 13 years. The review follows consultation with over 30 stakeholder groups, including labour organisations, chambers of commerce, employer representatives and professional bodies. A review report is expected to be submitted to the government by mid-2026. According to the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, one of the city's largest...

March 31, 2026
News, ,
Read more...
26Mar

UK. Only 14 per cent of people ‘on track’ to retire when they want

Just 14 per cent of people are on track to retire when and how they want, with large gaps between expectation and reality, research by savings platform Flagstone has found. The survey findings revealed that, on average, respondents would like to retire at age 61. However, based on current savings and contribution levels, most will not be able to retire until the age of 83 – revealing a 22-year discrepancy. The findings are broken down by industry, with only 4.7 per cent...

March 26, 2026
News, ,
Read more...
19Mar

UK. Pensions and savings hammered as threat of ‘full-scale economic war’ sends shares tumbling

More than £50billion was wiped off the value of the London stock market today – taking losses since the start of the war on Iran to £225billion. On a brutal day for savers with money tied up in shares through their pensions, ISAs and other investments, the FTSE 100 index tumbled more than 200 points or 2 per cent in early trading. The wider FTSE All-share – which includes smaller companies on the London stock market as well as the 100 blue chips...

March 19, 2026
News, , ,
Read more...
18Mar

South Africa households dip into retirement savings as withdrawals surge

South African households are coming under increasing financial pressure, with many now turning to their retirement savings to stay afloat. Early data shows a sharp rise in withdrawals from the two-pot retirement system as the new tax year began in March. Financial journalist Maya Fisher-French has warned South Africans against rushing to access the savings component of their retirement funds. Fisher-French says a concerning pattern is emerging, with around 60 percent of those accessing their savings doing so repeatedly. This raises questions about...

March 18, 2026
News, ,
Read more...
13Mar

Ghana. Informal sector employers who fail to pay employees’ pensions will be prosecuted – NPRA

The National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) in the Bono Region has cautioned employers in the informal sector to ensure the regular payment of their workers’ monthly pension contributions or face prosecution. Mr Enoch Okomfo Okonah, Assistant Manager in charge of Compliance at the Bono Regional Office of the NPRA, said employers who default could be fined up to 2,000 penalty units, pay the defaults, or be sentenced to two years imprisonment—or suffer both penalties. In an interview with the Ghana News...

March 13, 2026
News, ,
Read more...
12Mar

Raising MPF contribution levels a tricky but necessary step for Hong Kong

People have long complained their mandatory pensions will never be enough to retire on. That is true, but the flip side is that by contributing less than many comparable pension schemes overseas, local workers have more spending power in the present. There is always a trade-off. Perhaps the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme should be seen more as a financial cushion for a person at the end of their working life, rather than a nest egg. Still, the scheme needs...

March 12, 2026
News,
Read more...