October 2025

US. AIC Celebrates National Retirement Security Week 2025

The American Investment Council (AIC) today proudly joins in celebrating National Retirement Security Week (October 19–25) by highlighting how private equity investments strengthen retirement security for millions of Americans across the country. “Retirement systems and public pension funds nationwide continue to rely on private equity because it has outperformed every major asset class over the long term, offering steady, diversified, and robust returns,” said Will Dunham, President and CEO of the American Investment Council. “The recent Executive Order democratizing retirement...

Millennials en EE.UU.: entre el sueño de la casa propia y una jubilación segura

Los millennials estadunidenses están viviendo una encrucijada financiera que define su futuro: elegir entre comprar una vivienda o asegurar una jubilación estable. Un estudio de Advisor Authority, respaldado por el Nationwide Retirement Institute, revela que 58% de los inversionistas millennials siente que debe decidir entre ser propietario y ahorrar para su retiro. Con precios de vivienda que crecen más rápido que los salarios, esta generación enfrenta un entorno económico muy distinto al de sus padres, en el que la casa...

US. Corporate Pension Funding Ratios Hit Highest Level Since 2007

The funded ratio for the largest 100 corporate defined benefit plans improved to 106.5% in September, the highest level since October 2007 (108.1%) and up from 106.3% in August, according to Milliman’s pension funding index. September’s market returns of 2.5% added $26 billion to the market value of plan assets and swelled the funding status surplus to $80 billion last month. Meanwhile, discount rates dropped 17 basis points to 5.36%, which raised plan liabilities by $22 billion. During the third...

A Closer Look at the Retirement Prospects of the Middle Class

Representing more than half of the U.S. population, people in the middle class embody the American dream by working hard, caring for their families, and saving for the future while navigating an ever-changing economy and society. So how are they addressing these complexities? In “Retirement Throughout the Ages: The American Middle Class,” the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS) in collaboration with Transamerica Institute examines the road to retirement for people in the middle class across age ranges, their life...

US. Options for Overfunded Pension Plans

You’ve done a good job making sure that the pension plan is fully funded. So good, in fact, that you — and the plan — are overachievers and the plan is fully funded and then some. And THAT surplus spells…opportunity. The Grist Funding of pension plans generally has been on an upward trajectory for a number of years. The improvement in funded status has been dramatic, yet incremental. Willis Towers Watson’s figures show as much: they show that the funding of a hypothetical benchmark...

US. The Full Retirement Age Hits 67 in 2026–Here’s How To Avoid a 30% Benefit Cut

Social Security may have been created in 1935, but it’s a very dynamic system. Changes are made to the program every year, from the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment to more fundamental modifications. One “change” coming in 2026 that may seem sudden has actually been on the books since 1983, according to the Social Security Administration. But it’s an important one to be aware of because it could translate to a reduction in your Social Security check. Here’s what to know...

Evolution and Growth: How Public Pension Plans Have Diversified Their Investments Amid Changing Markets

By John Sullivan, Katie Comstock & Tyler Bond A report from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) and Aon examines the changes public pension plan investing has undergone throughout the twenty-first century. After decades of investing primarily in bonds and other fixed income assets, public pension plans have shifted to more diverse investment portfolios, which enabled these funds to grow, deliver reliable benefits, and withstand market turmoil during and after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). These findings are detailed in a...

Koreans’ life expectancy has exceeded 83 years, but their retirement age is still in their mid to late 50s

Koreans' life expectancy has exceeded 83 years, but their retirement age is still in their mid to late 50s. As of 2025, the average monthly receipt of the national pension is only about 670,000 won. In other words, it is not enough to prepare the necessary funds for the retirement period, which lasts more than 20 years on average. In addition, if the national pension is not received early, it can be received from the age of 63 to 65,...

US. Public Pensions Are Closing Talent Gaps, Survey Reveals

After years of fierce competition for top talent, public pension funds are seeing positive momentum for recruitment and retention, even as salary growth stabilizes. The 2025 Public Pension Compensation Survey conducted by CBIZ and NCPERS reveals that 57% of public pension funds now report no issues attracting or retaining skilled staff, an increase of nearly 20% since 2022. “The public pension sector’s recent workforce stabilization suggests that intentional compensation planning, enhanced benefits, and flexible work models are proving just as powerful as...

US government shut down and rising government borrowing costs, but still pension funding soars

The quarter end was abruptly followed by the US government going into shutdown following a lack of agreement on funding measures into the new US fiscal year, which started on 1 October. This follows a quarter where the cost of government borrowing and above-target inflation remain key challenges for major global economies. Paradoxically, this market dynamic is serving pension schemes very well... Quarter in brief US government shutdown following funding shortfall The Bank of England and the Federal Reserve cut borrowing costs despite...