September 2024

UK. Pension funds generating more cash than savers expect, finds research

Pension funds are generating more returns than most Britons expect, according to new research which suggests many savers underestimate how much cash their pension can generate. Industry data shows that leading pension funds have brought average annual returns of 7.72% over the last five years for people who are 30 years away from retirement. The same researchers found in a previous survey that over a third of savers aged 18 to 54 only anticipate returns between 5% and 7%. The findings underline the...

Two million French seniors live in poverty: charity report

Two million seniors in France live below the poverty line, warns a charity that works to alleviate isolation amongst the elderly. It pointed to a rise in poverty, particularly among older women and people living alone. The poverty level of people aged 60 and older is on the rise, the Petits freres des pauvres (Little brothers of the poor) charity in its annual report published Monday. In 2024, some 11 percent of elderly people live under the poverty line, compared to eight...

Interview: “Focusing on well-being over numbers is solution to low birth rates”

The United Nations Population Division announced in November 2022 that the global population had surpassed 8 billion. This marks a doubling from 4 billion in 1974, a span of just 48 years. The world’s population exceeded 2 billion in 1927 and 1 billion in 1805. Over just 200 years, the global population has increased eightfold. However, the UN forecasts that due to a general slowdown in growth rates, the world population will reach 9 billion by 2037. Population growth has...

Pension investors seek better means to force action on climate

Pension savers across the world are increasingly looking to invest their money in ways that help the climate. And, for those so inclined — whether as an employee with a workplace scheme or someone going it alone with a private pension — there are plenty of options available. Since 2022, UK pension schemes with more than £1bn in assets under management have been legally required to consider and report on climate-related risks and opportunities. Each relevant scheme should have a...

Global equities attract more pension investments

It is expected to continue as larger pension plans diversify their equity strategies. Pension funds are increasingly shifting towards global equity mandates as part of their investment strategies, reflecting a growing interest in international equities. According to Lesley-Ann Morgan, Global head of Pensions and Retirement, and Rachel Munnery, Product Strategy director at Schroders, sector flow data revealed a significant trend of positive net sales in global large-cap equities, contrasting with the consistent net outflows from regional equity mandates. Corporate defined benefit (DB) plans,...

Perú. Nueva Ley de pensiones obliga a independientes a aportar a AFP

El Gobierno de Perú ha promulgado una nueva Ley de pensiones que, entre sus disposiciones, impone la obligación de que los trabajadores independientes aporten para su fondo de pensiones en su AFP. Estos aportes se aplicarán de forma progresiva con un esquema de incrementos cada dos años. La reforma, promovida por Fuerza Popular y publicada en el diario oficial El Peruan, tiene como objetivo ampliar la cobertura del sistema previsional. La reforma también introduce otras modificaciones como la pensión mínima garantizada y la posibilidad de que nuevas...

Chile. Por primera vez una mujer es presidenta de una AFP

El 21 de octubre se concretará un importante cambio en AFP Cuprum, cuando se haga efectiva la renuncia que presentó Pedro Atria al cargo de presidente de la administradora, según informó la firma a través de un hecho esencial a la Comisión para el Mercado Financiero (CMF). En su reemplazo asumirá la actual directora de Cuprum, Daniela Zecchetto, transformándose en la primera presidenta de una AFP en Chile. Zecchetto es ingeniera comercial de la Universidad Católica de Chile y magíster en...

State pension programs feel the strain of aging populations

In a nutshell Aging populations mean more retirees, pressuring state budgets State-funded pensions are likely to expand into basic-income schemes A rise in productivity is the only cure; but it remains elusive Politicians do not pay much attention to demography. Given their electoral horizons, this is hardly surprising. The so-called demographic crisis and its consequences unfold over decades, while in most countries elections of some sort take place at least every two years. Little heed is paid to whether, in...

UK. FCA data reveals surge in pension access without advice

The latest FCA retirement income data for 2023/24 reveals a significant shift in pension access and withdrawals, reflecting ongoing economic pressures and evolving strategies within retirement planning. The total number of pension plans accessed for the first time surged by 19.7%, reaching 885,455 compared to 739,652 in 2022/23. This substantial increase indicates that more individuals are turning to their pensions to manage their financial needs, likely influenced by the cost-of-living crisis forcing people to dip into their pension pots to...

Only 26% of Nigerian workers have pension plan and health insurance- NBS Report

The Nigeria Labour Force Survey published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that only 26.3% of Nigerian workers have a pension plan and health insurance in 2023. The report noted that Zamfara state in the Northwest recorded the highest number of employees with health insurance and pension at 65% while Abia had the lowest number of wage employees with health insurance and pension plan at just 3.9%. The report states, “The percentage of employees entitled to either pension or health...