November 2021

US. For a workforce in flux, retirement plans and benefit options may be increasingly important

The tight labor market shows no signs of easing in the coming year, likely making benefits and retirement plan options an important part of employee recruitment and retention. “This open enrollment season is an important time for employers to get the pulse of their workforce and staffing needs as they face another year of competition for talent,” said Sri Reddy, senior vice president of retirement and income solutions for Principal Financial Group. Principal asked retirement plan participants and plan sponsors about...

Mexico. Pensions will consume 16.5% of the federal budget next year

About one-sixth of the 2022 federal budget will be used to pay pensions as a record 1.17 trillion pesos (US $56.6 billion) will end up in the pockets of retired workers next year. According to the 7-trillion-peso (US $338.8 billion) budget approved in the lower house of Congress last Sunday, the outlay on pensions will increase 6.2% in 2022 and represent 16.5% of the total budget. Read also UK. Could CDC solve the USS crisis? The 1.17 trillion pesos will go to...

One-third of UK pension schemes to set climate risk targets

A third of UK pension schemes have set, or are in the process of setting, targets to reduce their exposure to climate-related risks, but a similar proportion do not plan on doing so themselves. That is according to a new report from the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA), which has identified an emerging division in pension scheme attitudes to climate risk. Although 33% were at least in the process of setting climate risk targets as of July this year, 28% said...

US’s shot at a sustainable future

By John D. Vincent The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15 will help to fuel America's economy for the next decade, driving sustainable and innovative growth across multiple regions and sectors. It is less ambitious and more focused than first envisioned but, under the bipartisan deal, the IIJA will invest approximately $1 trillion in revitalizing America's transportation, energy infrastructure, clean water infrastructure and broadband, among other priorities....

US. Major Pension Fund Adds Leverage As Assets Push Half A Trillion

The CalPERS Pension Fund, has resolved to change its investment allocation next year. The new asset mix reduces public equity exposure adding exposure to private equity, fixed income and real assets. However, the more interesting angle is that total exposure for the fund is now 105% rather than 100%. That is to say, the fund will borrow to fund its investment portfolio. Read also US. For a workforce in flux, retirement plans and benefit options may be increasingly important Leverage Though the fund...

UK. Investment consultants publish ESG metrics for consistent reporting

A group of investment consultants working in the UK has come up with a list of environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related metrics for all public equity and public credit asset managers to report on, or work towards being able to report on, as soon as possible. The Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group (ICSWG) said the list was based on metrics that institutional investors were increasingly seeking to collect from asset managers. Anthony Soothill, chair of Telefonica UK Pension Plan Trustees, is...

Bangladesh. Guardian Life launches “Ajibon Pension Plan” – A Complete Retirement Solution

Believing in "Insurance for All", Guardian Life has been at the forefront of innovation in terms of products, services and business models to minimize financial risks of customers. As Guardian Life believes in customer-first policy, the company has always been committed in meeting the diverse needs of the customers. To cover more people under the shade of Guardian Life, a new product- "Ajibon Pension" plan has been launched which is a first of its kind in Bangladesh, states a press...

Nigeria. Pension schemes subscribers increased by 3.6% year-on-year in 2020 – PenCom

The National Pension Commission, PenCom, has disclosed that the total membership of the pension Schemes increased by 3.6% from 8.95 million from December 2019 to 9.3 million in December 2020. This is according to the Commission’s recently released 2020 Annual Report. Growth in the industry is said to have been triggered by factors such as increase in the level of compliance by the public and private sectors owing to steps taken by the commission to improve compliance and coverage, as well...

Milliman: Pension risk transfer premiums more competitive

Pension risk transfer premiums became more competitive in October as deal volume is set to increase in the fourth quarter, a study by Milliman showed. The estimated buyout cost as a percentage of accounting liabilities (accumulated benefit obligation) was 102.5% as of Oct. 31, down from 102.7% as of Sept. 30, according to a report of the Milliman Pension Buyout index. September's premium was up significantly from 102.2% as of Aug. 31. Meanwhile, the average annuity purchase rates among the most competitive rates...

US. House committee advances bipartisan retirement security bill

The House Committee on Education and Labor approved a bipartisan retirement security bill Wednesday in a voice vote. The Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act, or RISE Act, includes several ideas that have been introduced as stand-alone bills and as parts of larger retirement security bills, including the creation of a national online lost-and-found database for retirement accounts at the Department of Labor and enabling 403(b) plans to participate in multiple employer plans and pooled employer plans. Read also US. Newly...