December 2018

Zimbabwe. IPEC endorses policyholder security

The proposed Policyholder Protection Fund for the insurance and pension industry is a welcome development as it will help assure policyholders that they will receive compensation due to them upon the occurrence of an insured event, the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) has said. The insurance and pension industry regulator said given the critical role played by insurance in the growth of the economy, it is critical that the market is stable against any market shocks or failure. IPEC’s remarks come...

Financing decent pensions: a challenge for European states

Some 70,000 people took to the streets of Brussels on 28 May 2018. And tens of thousands demonstrated once again in several Belgian cities on 2 October. The trade union mobilisation against the reform of the pension system in Belgium attracted nationwide attention. But this protest movement did not emerge from nowhere. It is, rather, the culmination of many years of discontent. The federal government undertook to reform the entire pension system, to cope with Belgium’s ever-ageing population, from the...

Nigeria. Pension: PenCom Adopts Risk-based Supervision To Promote Risk Mgt

The National Pension Commission (NAICOM) has adopted a risk-based supervision approach to promote better risk management in pension sector of the nation’s economy. Acting director-general, PenCom, Mrs. Aisha Dahiru-Umar, who stated this at the Compliance Officers Forum held in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State recently, disclosed that the commission moved to a more risk based approach to supervising pension operators by aligning its supervisory framework with that of the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC). Stating that risk management is essential to the...

Nepal needs a rights-based approach to transform unequal social structures, not piecemeal schemes

The Nepal government’s announcement of a social security scheme for formal sector workers this month has once again thrust social protection policy into the political spotlight. While such schemes can be important social policy instruments, significant concerns have been raised about this scheme and previous policies, particularly regarding government’s ability to fund and implement them. Now more than ever, it is important that social protection policies and programs effectively address issues of marginalisation and vulnerability that undergird social insecurity and...

US. 401(k) plans are 40 years old. To celebrate, here’s a look at how they could be better

It's clear that 401(k) plans have been huge successes in the 40 years since they were authorized, amassing more than $5 trillion in assets and becoming investment mainstays for millions of Americans through workplace-benefit programs. But 401(k) plans and similar defined-contribution programs haven't worked out well for everyone, and criticisms linger. As the 401(k) concept marks the 40th birthday from its creation in the Revenue Act of 1978, here's a look at some of the shortcomings: These programs aren't pensions Perhaps the...

The Future of Ageing in Europe: Making an Asset of Longevity

By Alan Walker This book provides the most comprehensive analysis available of the challenges created by Europe’s ageing population. Grounded in state-of-the-art scientific assessments by leading European researchers, the book is strongly policy focused. Indeed this book contains a detailed account of the policies required across a broad field, from economic sustainability and extending working lives, to healthy ageing, technological innovation, long term care and political citizenship, for the successful adaptation to the challenges of ageing in Europe and globally....

The Vulnerability of Older Australians in Bankruptcy: Insights from an Empirical Study

By Lev Bromberg (The University of Melbourne), Ian Ramsay (Melbourne Law School - University of Melbourne), Paul Ali (University of Melbourne - Law School; Centre for International Finance and Regulation (CIFR)) This article presents the results of the first empirical study focused on older Australians in bankruptcy. Our study — based on the examination of a large and unique dataset obtained by the authors from the bankruptcy regulator — provides a valuable insight into the severe financial challenges faced by...

Human Movement Across Border: Key Ingredient Behind Thai Economy and the Future

By Akadet Chaichanavichakit (Waseda University, Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies) Over the past 50 years, immigration has become a strong force throughout the world. Economic opportunity is among one of the most important factors expediting migrant’s decision to move. The destination countries, which in general have relatively higher level of economic development, usually share the same characteristics of intense labor demands, aging population, and declining birth rate. Therefore, migrant workers have become an important, or even integral, part to...

México. Recomiendan calma ante caída en Afores

Ante el segundo mes consecutivo de minusvalías en los recursos de las Afore, especialistas recomiendan a los trabajadores a mantener la calma y no cambiarse de administradora para no hacer efectiva la pérdida. "La principal recomendación es que no se cambien de Afore. Es importante que no lo hagan para que la minusvalía no se convierta en pérdida. Han sido dos meses complicados para las Afores por el tema del aeropuerto y la guerra comercial entre Estados Unidos y China,...

Perú. AFP: Fondos de pensiones pierden más de 8 mil millones de soles

Plantan que exista un observatorio para monitorear la gestión de los fondos de las AFP. Entre el 5 de enero al 23 de noviembre de este año, lo fondos de pensiones que administran las AFP suman pérdidas de más de 8 mil millones de soles, alertó la Asociación Peruana de Consumidores y Usuarios (Aspec). Para Crisólogo Cáceres, presidente de Aspec, las pérdidas se originan por las malas inversiones que hacen las AFP lo cual sólo perjudican a los afiliados. "Las AFP siguen...