November 2021
09Nov

Impact investing: A brief guide to responsible investing

Impact investing is gaining more attention among investors today, especially with the Millennials and Generation Z. The growing popularity of impact investing is not anecdotal, as a rising number of asset owners and managers have turned to impact investing in pursuit of meaningful financial and social gains. In a nutshell, impact investing focuses on generating positive returns for investors and society in general. What is Impact Investing? Impact investing is a strategy where you put your money to work not only to acquire...

November 9, 2021
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08Nov

US. Newly Flush With Cash, Retirement Funds Struggle to Find Appealing Investments

State and local pension funds are reaping a historic windfall thanks to billions of dollars in record market gains and surplus tax revenues. Now they need to decide what to do with the money. It is a bittersweet dilemma that the chronically underfunded retirement systems share with many household and institutional investors around the country. Just when they finally have cash to play around with, every investment opportunity seems perilous. Read more @WSJ 302 views

November 8, 2021
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08Nov

UK. More than 130 MPs call for parliament pension fund to divest from fossil fuels

More than 130 MPs, including over half of the parliamentary Labour party, have signed a cross-party letter to their pension fund calling on it to divest from fossil fuel companies to “ensure that our pensions are not funding climate disaster”. The letter, to be delivered on Monday to trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF), applauds recent reductions in investments in fossil fuels, but adds: “We believe you must go a step further, divesting from the fossil fuel industry...

November 8, 2021
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08Nov

India:Govt looks into inclusive system for retirement income

The central government is considering launching a drive to provide retirement benefit cover to nearly 380m people in the uncovered workforce in the country, so as to narrow the gap between higher life expectancy and lack of retirement income support. Inter-ministerial consultations are taking place on how to achieve this goal. “The idea is everyone should be in one of the schemes,” an official told The Financial Express. Currently, around 120m workers, the bulk of whom in the organised sector, enjoy...

November 8, 2021
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08Nov

Kenya. Pension scheme providers urged to adopt new regulations

The government has asked pension scheme providers in the country to adhere to the new pension regulations. The new regulations came into force after the adoption of the Pensions Amendment Bill of 2020. The Bill allows subscribers of pensions schemes to access up to 40 per cent of their pension to own houses. Previously, upon discharge, employees were entitled to their own contributions, 50 per cent of their employer’s contributions, and any investment income that accrued after those contributions. Furthermore, the regulations...

November 8, 2021
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05Nov

UK. State pension payments still delayed for thousands

By Kevin Peachey Thousands of newly-retired people are still yet to receive their first state pension payments after a deadline for backlogs in payments to be cleared. Most delayed pensions to people who have just turned 66 are now being paid following a catch-up exercise by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). But applications have yet to be processed for 4,900 people from whom the DWP has asked for extra details. The pandemic and staffing issues were blamed for problems over the...

November 5, 2021
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05Nov

US. IRS Announces 2022 Retirement Plan Contribution and Benefit Limits

The IRS has announced contribution and benefit limits for qualified retirement plans for 2022. The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans, as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan will increase to $20,500, up from $19,500 in 2021. The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401(k)s, 403(b)s, most 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains unchanged at $6,500. The limitation regarding SIMPLE [savings incentive match...

November 5, 2021
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05Nov

Graying China sinks pensions under critical line in more provinces

China's pension reserves have fallen below a key government threshold in a majority of provinces, as growing deficits from a rapidly aging population threaten the system's long-term viability. China has two main pension schemes that together cover 1 billion people. One is compulsory for urban employees and public servants, while the second serves other urban residents and the rural population. The urban employee pension system, the far larger of the two, received 16% less income in 2020 than the year...

November 5, 2021
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05Nov

We’re not convinced about the genuineness of the scheme’s implementation — Cocoa farmers to stage demo against cocoa pension scheme

Members of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association have threatened to embark on a massive demonstration against COCOBOD should government go ahead with its plans to implement the cocoa farmers pension scheme under the newly inaugurated board of trustees. According to the Association, they are not convinced of the genuineness and fair implementation of the scheme even though COCOBOD has inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme. They said their association, together with other cocoa farmer-based associations...

November 5, 2021
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05Nov

Norway’s largest pension fund divests from 14 arms firms

Norway's largest pension fund said on Thursday that it has divested from 14 nuclear and regular arms-producing companies. Oslo-based KLP said it made the decision after reviewing its ethical criteria on weapons. "This will primarily mean companies that produce certain types of weapons which, by their nature, violate fundamental humanitarian principles,'' the fund said in a statement. "The criterion applies mainly to nuclear weapons and cluster munitions, as well as anti-personnel mines," it said in a statement. Which companies is KLP divesting from? As...

November 5, 2021
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