June 2023

Alternative funds expect surge in pension inflows

A new study conducted by Ocorian, a global leader in entity administration and alternative fund services, reveals that alternative fund managers are anticipating a significant increase in inflows from pension funds over the next 18 months. The research, which surveyed 100 alternative fund managers across the United Kingdom, United States and Europe, indicates that 36% of respondents expect a dramatic rise in investments from pension funds, while an overwhelming 87% predict an overall increase in inflows into alternative investments from...

CEO of Malaysia’s largest pension fund warns body could divest from companies not committed to ESG goals

Even as Malaysian firms are encouraged to take a step-by-step approach towards achieving environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance, they should not be disregarding ESG issues, or this could put them at risk of having the country’s largest pension fund withdraw its investments. In one of his strongest warnings issued to-date, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, chief executive of Malaysia’s Employment Provident Fund (EPF), said the fund will divest from companies not committed to ESG goals. Speaking at a session on...

EIOPA says national supervisors need more data on liquidity risks

Pension funds and insurers in Europe are holding up well in spite of higher financial stability risks, according to a new report from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) – but the body also said national supervisors need more data on liquidity and other risks to make sure buffer requirements are adequate. Publishing its June 2023 Financial Stability Report today, Frankfurt-based EIOPA said the European economy was currently experiencing a new period of high uncertainty and elevated financial...

México. Afores incrementan al doble la tenencia en bonos gubernamentales, al cierre de mayo

La Comisión Nacional del Sistema del Ahorro para el Retiro (Consar) informó que las administradoras de fondos para el retiro (afores) mantuvieron en 34% la posesión de los bonos gubernamentales a tasa fija con plazo de 10 a 20 años, al cierre de mayo. La información de Consar demuestra que la tenencia de las afores en los mencionados bonos gubernamentales creció desde 17.50% registrado en el mismo periodo del año pasado. Cabe recordar que los bonos gubernamentales a tasa fija se...

Los 4 males (de plata) que sufren los adultos mayores en Colombia; ¿y la pensión?

El Instituto de Envejecimiento de la Universidad Javeriana presentó un análisis de los 4 mayores problemas que tienen los adultos mayores en el país. Todos ellos están ligados directa o indirectamente a la falta de recursos económicos para hacer su vida más cómoda o incluso para actividades muy simples. La falta de dinero para tratamientos médicos, la informalidad laboral, la dificultad para acceder a la pensión y el analfabetismo digital son algunos elementos destacados en ese informe, citado por La República. Uno...

Milliman analysis: Competitive pension risk transfer costs increase from 98.3% to 100.5% in May

Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced the latest results of its Milliman Pension Buyout Index (MPBI). As the pension risk transfer (PRT) market continues to grow, it has become increasingly important to monitor the annuity market for plan sponsors that are considering transferring retiree pension obligations to an insurer. During May, the estimated cost to transfer retiree pension risk to an insurer in a competitive bidding process increased from 98.3% of a plan's accounting liabilities...

Shell Dumped by Church of England Pensions Due to Oil Risk

The Church of England Pensions Board said it had decided to divest its holding in Shell (SHEL.L) over what it said were insufficient plans to align its strategy to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Board, which up to 2022 led engagement with Shell on behalf of the CA100+ climate-focussed investor group, has around 1.35 million pounds ($1.72 million) invested in Shell of its total 3.2 billion pounds in investments. The Church of England's separate 10.3...

Ghana. Pensioners Bondholders begin third round of picketing

Members of the Pensioners Bondholders Forum have begun a third round of picketing at the Ministry of Finance to demand payments on due coupons, principals, and interest on bonds. The picketing is set to be carried out on Thursdays and Fridays of every week until government honours its obligation to bondholders. Speaking in an interview on the first day of picketing, Dr Adu Anane Antwi, the convener of the Forum, said that although the Government said it has directed the Controller...

México. A partir del 26 de julio se concretarán traspasos en Afores

Los traspasos de cuentas de ahorro entre afores que se tramitaron entre el 16 de diciembre y 28 de mayo se concretarán hasta el 26 de julio, informó la Comisión Nacional del Sistema de Ahorro para el Retiro (Consar). Es decir que hasta después de fecha se reflejará la cuenta en la administradora a donde enviaron su dinero. Para las personas que a partir de junio comenzaron a realizar el trámite de traspasos el tiempo será diferente, pues normalmente el...

Peru. MEF plantea pensión de jubilación mínima

El Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (MEF), como sector que presidió la Comisión Multisectorial encargada de realizar una evaluación técnica del sistema previsional peruano, publicó la propuesta normativa de reforma, que plantea establecer una pensión de jubilación mínima común. El documento es una propuesta normativa elaborada y consensuada por los miembros de la Comisión Multisectorial: la Presidencia del Consejo de Ministros (PCM), Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (MEF), Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo (MTPE), Banco Central de Reserva...