November 2021
11Nov

UK. Huge increase in pension schemes with over £1bn

There has been a 90% increase in the number of UK pension schemes with over £1bn in assets since 2013, research by Barnett Waddingham has uncovered. In a report published today, the researchers also reveal how 55% of pensions schemes studied were closed to accrual this year, up from just 15% eight years ago. Expansion of pension scheme assets has meant more significant challenges for trustees and employers at a time when there’s about to be a step change in regulatory...

November 11, 2021
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11Nov

Ghana. Employers must pay pension contributions of casual workers – TDCL

Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) has called on the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to ensure that employers enrol their casual workers on pension schemes. Mr Emmanuel Addo-Kumi, Vice Chairman Tema District Council of Labour, told the Ghana News Agency that even though laws were covering the payment of pension for workers, some companies did not do so, especially for their casual workers. Mr Addo-Kumi said, “the casual workers are complaining, some companies don’t pay which is against the law,...

November 11, 2021
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11Nov

In the race to a net-zero and inclusive future, Canadian pension funds have a critical role to play – and a new report shows how

In a fast-changing world where global investors are embarking on the largest reallocation of capital in history, pursuing sustainability and inclusivity offers social, environmental, and investment benefits. To seize this unprecedented opportunity, and maintain their tradition of excellence, Canadian pension funds must play a vital role in realizing a sustainable, inclusive future, says a landmark new release. This report emerges from a partnership between The Natural Step Canada, Smart Prosperity Institute, and Corporate Knights, and extensive collaboration with an...

November 11, 2021
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10Nov

Macron: No pension reform in France before elections

In his address to the nation, Emmanuel Macron announced that there would be no pension reform before the end of his current presidential term, effectively abandoning one of his flagship policies, for now at least. Pension reform has long been an objective of Macron’s presidency. The aim was to merge France’s dozens of separate pension systems into one simplified system. Read also Build a Solid Risk Management Road Map Attempts to push the reform through have been met with significant resistance, with...

November 10, 2021
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10Nov

UK. Advisers could be forced to ask about sustainability

I am writing this piece from the relative comfort of an Avanti train, heading home from Glasgow having recharged my batteries somewhat by listening to some great presentations at COP26. Although I could have seen more of the major announcements had I watched it online, the experience of ‘being there’ was quite something. I particularly enjoyed getting the sense that there are so many of us working on different aspects of the sustainability puzzle. An event organised by Make My Money Matter...

November 10, 2021
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10Nov

Tech for aging society can be Japan’s ‘advantage’: Google executive

Google Japan aims to focus on developing and offering technology that supports the country's aging society, its top executive said at a Nikkei event on Wednesday. "It is our responsibility to enable elderly people to maintain good health and access necessary information or jobs through our technology," President Shinji Okuyama said at Nikkei's Global Management Forum. Google's Japanese unit hopes to turn the challenge of aging into opportunities. This includes providing digital skill training to seniors, as well as utilizing the...

November 10, 2021
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10Nov

Ireland. ESRI says cheaper childcare and flexible work arrangements will keep women working longer

Cheaper childcare and flexible working is needed to bridge the gender pension gap and keep women in employment for longer, according to a leading think-tank. The Economic Social and Research Institute (ESRI) will tell TDs and Senators today that there is a gender gap of 35pc for retired women compared to retired men. Appearing before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Dr Claire Keane will tell politicians that cheaper childcare, flexible work arrangements and long-term care services are crucial to...

November 10, 2021
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09Nov

UK gov’t unveils stricter pension transfer rules to fight scams

The UK’s Department for Work and Pension (DWP) has introduced a set of laws designed to prevent pension transfer scams. Fraudsters often use pension freedoms and the statutory right to transfer to another scheme as a way to persuade consumers into moving their life savings into a bogus pension. As a result, the DWP has set out that savers will not be able to invoke their right to transfer on every single occasion, but only if they are moving their pots...

November 9, 2021
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09Nov

India’s informal economy more than halved

The Reserve Bank of India’s digital payments index also captures the spread of digital, taking into account growth in the payments infrastructure. Of the four key objectives of demonetisation, India appears to have done well on three. There has been a rise in digital transactions. Besides this, there has also been a drop in fake currencies. Counterfeit notes detected continued to fall from 3.1 lakh in FY19 to 2.9 lakh in FY20 and 2 lakh in FY21. There are also...

November 9, 2021
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09Nov

Nigeria. Pension Funds downsize investments in states by 36%

Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) are now downsizing their investments in state governments’ bonds amidst fears that the states’ financial stability and their commitment to pensions are questionable. Financial Vanguard’s findings in the data from the National Pension Commission, (PenCom) shows that the PFAs’ investments in state government securities fell by a huge 36 percent to N97.89 billion in the first half of 2021 (H1’21) from N152.93 billion in the corresponding period in 2020 (H1’20). But the PFAs’ interest in Federal Government...

November 9, 2021
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