February 2021

​EC’s sustainable governance play: Asset owners wary of potential snags

The idea of drawing up EU rules to ensure companies embed sustainability into the way they operate has met with steady applause from pensions and asset management industry representatives – as well as warnings of potential unintended consequences. Read also Spain Counts on Citizens to Buy Into Revolution for Pensions Questions put out by the European Commission in its consultation on an initiative on sustainable corporate governance – which closed in early February – centred around topics such as directors’ duty...

Does financial wellness education increase retirement plan participation?

Any good advisor knows, a successful retirement plan requires more than a robust investment menu. Plan participation is essential, but also one of the biggest challenges. Financial wellness education can increase participation, bolstering plan participants’ chances of a successful, on-time retirement. In turn, this helps plan sponsors by reducing costs associated with retirement-age employees. With American adults experiencing increased financial stress during the pandemic, plan sponsors and participants are especially interested in financial wellness benefits that can help reduce financial stress...

México. En una década aumentó 180% gasto en pensiones

En una década el gasto del gobierno destinado al pago de pensiones y jubilaciones de los mexicanos se disparó 180 por ciento, de acuerdo con cifras oficiales, lo que presiona las finanzas públicas del país y disminuye los recursos destinado a otros rubros como inversión, salud o educación. Leer también México. La pandemia hace que se disparen quejas por expediente electrónico Según información de la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP), en 2011 se destinaron 343 mil 334 millones de...

Chile. El debate por un eventual tercer retiro del 10% de los fondos de pensiones

Los dos proyectos por un eventual tercer retiro del 10% en las AFP debiesen ser discutidos cuando termine el receso parlamentario: uno presentado por el diputado Jaime Mulet (FRVS) y otro anunciado por Pablo Maltés, candidato a gobernador metropolitano y jefe del gabinete de la diputada Pamela Jiles. Leer también Gobierno chileno rechaza tercer retiro de AFP: “No ayuda a los más pobres” La senadora y candidata presidencial de la DC, Ximena Rincón, aseguró que “el problema de plantear un tercer...

UK. Govt urged to conclude net pay review in Spring Budget

The government should support the retirement incomes of lower paid workers by concluding the net pay review in this year’s budget, according to Now Pensions. Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spring 2020 Budget, released on 11 March last year, had stated that the government would “shortly publish a call for evidence on pensions tax relief administration” following the inclusion of plans for a comprehensive review of issues caused by the anomaly in the Conservative Party’s 2019 election manifesto. However, this review was paused...

Ireland. Pensions timebomb waiting to go off unless we take action now

As we battle our way through the Covid-19 pandemic the Government has had to deal with an extraordinary crisis with no advance warning or time for preparation. However, there is another major issue that has been gathering pace for some time and which also affects everyone in this country – and that is the “pension crisis”. In this case the Government has had time to plan, be prepared and act and that time is now. Luckily, much of the work...

U.S. Signals Policy Shift on California State Retirement-Savings Program

Signaling a shift in retirement policy, the U.S. Labor Department has dropped its support for a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate a California state retirement-savings program for people who lack access to 401(k) plans at work. In a notice filed in a federal appeals court on Feb. 5, the agency said because of the change in administration, it “no longer wishes to participate” in the case and “does not support either side.” The reversal “isn’t surprising,” said John Scott, director of...

How your retirement investments can help protect the environment

As a climate-conscious consumer, you might already be cutting down on your water use, buying from eco-friendly companies for your everyday needs, and making the switch away from single-use plastic. But have you thought about how your money is impacting the environment when it's not in use? Take your retirement account. If you're lucky enough to have retirement investment options, you most likely consider it a "set it and forget it" kind of decision. But there's good reason to go...

Ageing can be cured—and, in part, it soon will be

ld age is a massacre,” wrote Philip Roth, long before the pandemic underscored its hazards. Even those who count as young must often watch the ineluctable drift of loved ones into decrepitude. Andrew Steele has a hopeful message for all those facing this prospect (ie, everyone). Old age needn’t be a massacre; in fact, old age needn’t even be old. Mr Steele’s thesis in “Ageless” is that ageing can be cured—and, at least in part, that it very soon will...

Presidente de la Asociación de AFP de Colombia: “En Chile tienen una situación muy polarizada, que ha ideologizado mucho el debate público”

El economista Santiago Montenegro comenta que en Colombia también surgió la idea de retirar fondos durante la pandemia, pero no prosperó, e incluso se opusieron los sindicatos. Cree que en Chile fue distinto porque este tipo de discusiones están muy politizadas. “Lo que yo diría es: sigan las recomendaciones de la última Comisión Bravo, o hagan otra Comisión, pero no tomen decisiones apresuradas”. Ese es el consejo que da el presidente de la Asociación Colombiana de AFP y Cesantías (Asofondos,...