September 2024

Reflecting on this summer’s global IT outages – lessons for pension schemes

After the Capita Cyber Security incident of March/April 2023 (which we discussed at the time here) and, more recently, BBC cyber security incident of May 2024 (which we also discussed here), the pensions industry arguably did not need another reminder of the importance of cyber security for its schemes and stakeholders. However, the global IT outage that took place this summer (July 2024) has provided another such reminder – highlighting the heavy reliance of modern society on our digital infrastructure, and equally,...

Ghana. NPRA press releases on informal sector pensions: Matters arising

There are two press releases circulating on Informal Sector Pensions dated 26/08/2024 and 30/08/2024 issued by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), bringing to the attention of the general public that informal sector pensions already exist. In the 30/08/2024 press release, the NPRA directly linked informal sector workers to self-employed persons, stating: “…the new Pensions law has offered opportunities for self-employed persons (informal sector workers) to voluntarily contribute towards their pensions. Additionally, the NPRA associated Personal Pension Schemes with the informal...

México. Guía de pensión permite anticipar un plan de retiro

Encontrar herramientas para maximizar los rendimientos de tu Afore no siempre es fácil, aquí te explicamos cómo puedes aprovechar la guía del retiro de Afore Sura. En México, más de la mitad de la población planea financiar su vejez a través de una pensión, jubilación, o un plan de Afore, de acuerdo con la Encuesta Nacional de Inclusión Financiera (ENIF) 2021, publicada por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (Inegi). Ante esto, es importante saber cuánto debemos ahorrar para garantizar...

Colombia. Gustavo Bolívar salió en defensa de la reforma pensional: “Les duele que las mujeres se pensionen con 300 semanas menos”

Bruce Mac Master alertó sobre las dificultades que enfrentan las reformas del gobierno de Gustavo Petro durante el segundo día del Congreso Empresarial Colombiano (CEC) organizado por la Andi. El presidente del gremio empresarial señaló que la reforma pensional corre grave riesgo debido a irregularidades en su trámite en el Congreso y numerosas demandas por inconstitucionalidad, según informó Portafolio. Luego de las palabras del presidente de la Andi, uno de los funcionarios del gobierno nacional salió a defender la reforma...

República Dominicana. Urgencia y justificación para corregir el cálculo del límite de las pensiones públicas

La República Dominicana enfrenta una deuda histórica con sus servidores públicos. A pesar de los avances en materia de seguridad social, persiste una práctica injusta que afecta a miles de empleados al momento de su retiro: la incorrecta aplicación del límite de las pensiones establecidas en la Ley 379-81, una ley que regula las jubilaciones de los servidores públicos. La Ley 379-81 es clara al estipular que "en ningún caso el monto de la pensión será mayor a la cantidad...

Buoyant markets pump up largest retirement plan assets to $22.6 trillion in 2023

Assets of the world’s top 300 retirement plans increased by 10% in 2023 to a total $22.64 trillion, staging a recovery from their 12.9% decline in 2022, according to the according to the latest annual survey by Pensions & Investments and Willis Towers Watson PLC's Thinking Ahead Institute. The plans benefited from the recovery of markets, which have picked up momentum and generally did better in 2023, said Jessica Gao, London-based director at the Thinking Ahead Institute. “But we still have interest-rate pressure...

India. Social security benefits for gig workers likely to be on fast-track: Report

The Indian government plans to advance the launch of social security benefits for workers employed in unorganised sectors potentially before the full implementation of the comprehensive Social Security Code, according to a report by The Economic Times. This development follows efforts by several states to introduce similar provisions within their local laws. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has been engaged with aggregators operating in digital marketplaces for gig work, urging them to prepare for the extension of social security benefits...

UK. FCA bans 4 over ‘reckless’ pension transfer advice

The Financial Conduct Authority has banned two financial advisers and two partners from St Martin’s Partners LLP from working in financial services and has collectively fined them £590,544, for "reckless" pension transfer advice. The regulator said Adrian Douglas, Liam Martin, Frank Oxberry and Alec Cuthbert were responsible for a pension transfer advice model that put people’s guaranteed retirement benefits at risk. Between October 2015 and July 2016, the FCA claims St Martin’s Partners’ advice model put 547 customers at “significant risk” of transferring...

Outrage Over Pension Cuts in Indonesia: Key Insights on Contributions and Withdrawal Options

New Pension Program Will Cut Employee Salaries: What You Need to Know The implementation of a new pension program will lead to salary deductions for workers. This mandatory contribution aims to enhance retirement benefits. However, many employees are worried about the impact on their take-home pay. Labor unions are actively voicing their opposition, especially in regions like South Kalimantan. They argue that the additional deductions will strain workers’ finances. Warning! The new pension deductions may significantly affect workers’ salaries. Employees should prepare...

México. Inicia la 17ª Semana Nacional de Educación Financiera 2024 con enfoque en el Bienestar Financiero

La Comisión Nacional para la Protección y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros (CONDUSEF) lanzó oficialmente la 17ª edición de la Semana Nacional de Educación Financiera (SNEF) 2024, destacando la nueva Plataforma Virtual “La Ruta al Bienestar Financiero”. Este evento se llevará a cabo del 2 de septiembre al 31 de diciembre y estará disponible a través del sitio oficial de la SNEF. Durante la conferencia de prensa, autoridades de diversas instituciones financieras, como la Asociación de Bancos de...