November 2024

US PRT Market sees $14B in Volume in Q3

Following a record-breaking first half of 2024 for the U.S. pension risk transfer market, which closed at $26 billion through June 30, the third quarter also finished strong, according to Legal & General Retirement America’s November market update. The third quarter closed at an estimated $14 billion in total premium—a 35% increase from the third quarter of last year, which landed at $10.6 billion. A huge chunk of that total came from one deal: IBM’s $6 billion PRT with Prudential Insurance Co. of America in September...

New York City Pension Investments with MWBE Asset Managers Reach Record of $23.1 Billion for Fiscal Year 2024; Grew Nearly 40% During Comptroller Lander’s Tenure

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released a report announcing that investments by the City’s five pension funds with minority- and women-owned asset management firms grew to $23.1 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, an increase of $6.3 billion, or 37.5% since Lander took office. Assets under management by MWBE firms grew from $16.8 billion in FY22 (11.6% of actively-managed US assets), to $19.5 billion in (12.7%) in FY23, to $23.1 billion (13.3%) in FY24. Investment firms owned by people of color and...

Kodak looks to terminate US pensions, will gain over $500 million in finances

According to a filing with the SEC, Kodak said that it looks to cut its pension plan. The plan has increased significantly due to initial contributions and market performance. The SEC filing stated that Kodak looks to use the cash from the cut and sale of the plan, which would to offset its debt. The sale — which also includes the sale of “illiquid assets” — was to Mastercard Foundation, and Kodak would retrieve more than $500 million. Kodak confirmed with...

Largest US pension fund CalPERS over halfway to $100B climate investment goal

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is more than halfway to its goal of investing more than $100 billion in climate solutions, the pension fund announced last week. CalPERS, the largest pension fund in the nation, said it had invested $53 billion in climate solutions, a year after it set the $100 billion target, according to a Nov. 18 press release. While the climate solution funding goal is part of CalPERS’s 2030 sustainable investing strategy, some of its beneficiaries...

Are You One of 38 Million Seniors Who Fear Your Retirement Income Won’t Be Enough? You’re Not Alone.

Social Security is one of the most crucial functions of the U.S. government. Last year, the program paid roughly $1.5 trillion to 68 million Americans, 51 million of whom were retired. Many of these retired Americans rely on the program for a significant portion of their incomes. Originally intended as one of three income sources for retirees along with employer pensions and personal savings, Social Security's role has grown as pensions have become rare for most. Many lower-income earners are unable...

Public Pension Funding Index November 2024

By Rick Gordon & Rebecca A. Sielman October 2024 broke the five-month positive investment return streak for public pensions, prompting a decrease in the estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans from 82.8% as of September 30, 2024, to 81.2% as of October 31, 2024, as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index (PPFI). We estimate a calendar year-to-date investment return of 7.6% through the end of October. We have projected the aggregate funded status forward from October...

Global Investor Insights Survey: Pension funds results

By Schroders The Schroders Global Investor Insights Survey analyses the investment perspectives of global financial professionals on a range of topics including macro themes, sustainability and public and private markets. The respondents represent a spectrum of institutions, including pension funds which are the focus of this report.​ The field work was carried out by CoreData Research via an extensive global survey during June–July 2024. The 420 pension fund respondents were split as follows: 28% Corporate DB, 14% Corporate DC, 13% Corporate Hybrid...

US. Public pension funding ratios drop in October, first dip since April — Milliman

The overall estimated funding ratio of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans fell in October, the first such decline since April, according to the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding index. The drop in the funding ratio to 81.2% as of Oct. 31 from the estimate of 82.8% as of Sept. 30 was primarily the result of negative investment returns. It was the first decline after five straight months of increases due to strong market returns. Before that streak had begin,...

US. Soaring Corporate Pensions Boost Retirement Security

Corporate pensions in the United States have been experiencing their strongest performance in over a decade. According to data from Aon, pension plan funding has consistently improved since the Great Recession. As of September 21, the pension-funded ratios of public companies on the stock index averaged 102%, signifying that pension funding had reached its highest point since late 2011, when the ratio was approximately 78%. A funded ratio is used to assess the health of a pension plan by...

‘Golden Girls’ no more: How America’s concept of old age became outdated

The idea of retirement is losing its luster The stereotype of retirement as a time to play golf, travel and relax is a relatively new concept in American history. But by now, even that idea is outdated as more older adults work longer and grapple with the need for purpose in their older years. Also, with people living longer and healthier, there may be several chapters in their lives to pursue different jobs, vocations and hobbies. In the new book, "Golden...