July 2026

UK MPs back benefit boost for 66-year-olds as pension age increases

The UK government should look at increasing universal credit for 66-year-olds to prevent financial hardship stemming from the "lottery of life" as the state pension age rises to 67, according to a committee of MPs. The Work & Pensions Committee said it is backing calls for the government to increase universal credit for 66-year-olds. It said ministers should consult on the change with a view to putting it in place by the end of 2026 as a temporary measure, allowing time...

Japan to push its massive pension fund to boost alternative investments, Nikkei says

Japan aims to raise the ratio of unlisted shares, real estate and ​other alternative investments in the portfolio ‌of the Government Pension Investment Fund, the world's largest pension fund, the Nikkei said on Sunday. Finance ​Minister Satsuki Katayama, who has been trying ​to boost the weak yen, sparked ⁠a jump in the currency and government ​bond prices on Friday by saying the government ​aimed to steer the $1.8 trillion GPIF and other state pension funds to "substantially" increase investments in...

US. Chicago’s Pension Crisis: Mendoza Warns of Bankruptcy Risks

Chicago mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza raised alarms regarding the city's underfunded pension system, warning that some funds are at risk of "complete bankruptcy" amid market adjustments. This news is particularly relevant for investors in Super Micro Computer Inc SMCI -0.9% 84, which operates in the technology sector. GF Value™ verdict: $88.13 vs Current Price $28.24 = 68.0% undervalued GF Score™: 84/100, indicating strong fundamentals Key financial signal: P/E (TTM) of 14.94x compared to a 5-Year Median P/E of 19.34x What's Behind the News? Mendoza's comments...

Jamaica. Senate approves pension rule changes, unblocks billions for private equity

THE Senate on Friday approved amendments to the regulations governing pension schemes to allow them to increase the investment limit for private equity from five per cent to 7.5 per cent, with a further increase to 10 per cent by April 2027. There was bipartisan support for the measure that Government and Opposition senators said will unlock investment opportunities, ultimately leading to economic growth. However, there was concern from Opposition members about the small percentage of Jamaican workers enrolled in pension...

China targets stable employment, enhanced social security in next five years

China aims to create a considerable scale of urban jobs and keep the urban surveyed unemployment rate within 5.5 percent over the next five years, according to a human resources and social security development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) unveiled on Thursday. The plan, released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, sets seven major goals and 18 quantified indicators. "Employment will be kept generally stable, with new progress in high-quality and sufficient employment," said...

Invest in Britain or I’ll force you to, minister tells pension funds

The business secretary, Peter Kyle, has told UK pension funds to “get off their high horses” and invest in Britain or be forced to do so by law. Expressing frustration at the level of investment in British companies after years of government initiatives, Kyle said the UK’s biggest asset managers “should feel a patriotic duty in making Britain a success”. “I don’t think mandation is ideal in any circumstances. But I’ll use it if I have to, because I’m in a rush,”...

Hard Times Drive Surge in Early Pension Withdrawals Across Kenya

A growing number of Kenyans are withdrawing their retirement savings long before reaching retirement age as households grapple with rising living costs, unemployment, business losses and mounting financial pressures, exposing the deep economic strain facing workers across the country. Latest industry data shows that early pension withdrawals have surged in recent years, with financial hardship overtaking retirement as the main reason many contributors are accessing their savings. Pension fund managers say more workers are opting to cash out immediately after...

Germany Plans to Implement Proposed Pension Reforms by the End of 2026

The commission’s recommendations are, for now, political proposals. Concrete implementation—such as through legislative procedures—is still pending. Nevertheless, the proposed key points are notable because they may affect typical human resources and compensation structures—and because the federal government has sent a clear signal that it intends to implement all proposals. At the heart of a potential reform is the goal of placing the statutory pension system on a more stable long-term financial footing and broadening Germany’s overall retirement savings framework beyond...

South Africa. 16 municipalities caught pocketing workers’ pensions

Sixteen municipalities took money out of their workers’ salaries for pension contributions, and did not pay it over to the pension funds it belonged to. The finding came out as part of National Treasury’s decision to temporarily withhold R13.5 billion in July equitable share transfers from 69 municipalities across the country, including R3.6 billion from the City of Johannesburg. Treasury said the municipalities had shown persistent, serious non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act. The South African Local Government Association, which represents...

UK. Can CDC solve the retirement income challenge?

Retirement in the UK is starting to feel out of reach for many workers. Not because people do not understand the importance of pensions, nor because they are unwilling to save, but because once the bills are paid, there is little left. The Pensions Commission’s figures tell the story. Around 15 million people are estimated to be under saving for retirement, while projections suggest millions could face pensioner poverty by 2040 if current trends continue. Only around 4 per cent...