October 2019

22Oct

UK. FCA calls for pension policy simplification

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has called on pensions policy to be simplified for consumers due to the overly complex nature of defined contribution schemes. Speaking at the Cicero event on the future of regulation, FCA executive director of strategy and competition, Christopher Woolard, said that choices that members may not understand can make a “huge difference” to their retirement outcomes. He outlined the importance of advice for consumers in making these decisions and helping them understand the...

October 22, 2019
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21Oct

These are the world’s best (and worst) pension systems

The Netherlands and Denmark have the best pensions systems in the world, according to a global study that shines a light on how nations are preparing ageing populations for retirement. Read also What Does It Take To Build The World’s Best Pension Systems? Ask The Netherlands And Denmark The countries took the top two slots in the Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index published on Monday, both earning an A grade for the level of financial security provided in...

October 21, 2019
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21Oct

Croatia: retirement without peace

Most retired people in Croatia receive the standard pension, which for July was 2,228 kuna (€300). 15,546 retired people receive a pension of less than 1,000 kuna. Adding those who receive pensions in between the two amounts we arrive at the number of 586,613 persons with an income lower than 2,228 kuna, or 55.31 percent of retired people. Peace in retirement clearly still needs to be fought for. There is a whole series of problems with the Croatian pensions...

October 21, 2019
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11Oct

Tactical Target Date Funds

By Francisco Gomes, Alexander Michaelides, Yuxin Zhang We propose target date funds modified to exploit stock return predictability driven by the variance risk premium. The portfolio rule of these tactical target date funds (TTDFs) is extremely simplified relative to the optimal one, making it easy to implement and communicate to investors. We show that saving for retirement in TTDFs generates economically large welfare gains, even after we introduce turnover restrictions and transaction costs, and after taking into account parameter...

October 11, 2019
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01Oct

UK government writes to British expats but pension freeze risk remains

The UK government is writing to more than 363,000 British expats who retired and now live in the EU to reassure them that their state pensions will still increase in the event of a no-deal Brexit. However, that guarantee is only valid for three years. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending out letters outlining that even in the event of a no deal Brexit, pensions for those in the EU will be uprated for a further 3 years...

October 1, 2019
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September 2019

30Sep

UK. State pension could rise by 4% next year – giving elderly £351 extra a year

If you reached state pension age before April 6 in 2016, you'll be receiving the old state pension, which means your payments would rise from £129.20 to £134.35 per week - or an extra £267.28 per year, insurer Aegon says. The state pension is currently protected by the so-called triple lock, which ensures it rises by at least the same rate as the cost of living. It means that the state pension increases either by 2.5 per cent a...

September 30, 2019
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23Sep

The U.S. Didn’t Make the Top 10 Best Countries for Retirement

The United States could learn quite a bit from other countries around the world when it comes to retirement security, according to a new report. The annual Global Retirement Index, started by Paris-based investment bank Natixis Investment Managers, analyzes four key indexes: finances in retirement, including taxes and the old-age dependency ratio; health, such as life expectancy and expenses; “material well being,” which is income equality and unemployment; and quality of life, including happiness and water quality. Iceland topped...

September 23, 2019
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11Sep

Ireland has gender pension gap of 35% – study

Irish men receive an average of €153 more than women in their pension payments, according to research by the Economic and Social Research Unit (ESRI). The study found the average total weekly pension income in 2010 was €280 for women and €433 for men, indicating a gender pension gap of approximately 35%. The total gender pension gap is due to differences in incomes from private and occupational pensions. Some 55% of retired men receive a private or occupational pension,...

September 11, 2019
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10Sep

Estonian average pension to exceed 500 euros after indexation

The average Estonian pension will after the spring 2020 indexation surpass 500, the country’s Finance Ministry has stated. Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports that on Monday, September 9, the Estonian government’s summer economic forecast presentation has been held. Pensions increase annually in April as a result of indexing, with the change coming into effect on the first day of the month. In the second quarter of 2019 the average Estonian old-age pension was nearly EUR 485. In 2020, a...

September 10, 2019
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09Sep

$200 trillion in global debt at risk if trust falters: OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned almost $200 trillion in public and private debt could be the catalyst for another global economic crisis if trust in government and financial institutions deteriorates. In a report overseen by former Australian Securities and Investments Commission chief Greg Medcraft, the OECD also said the destruction of trust following the global financial crisis (GFC) had contributed to the rise of crypto-currencies, which themselves were exacerbating the globe's economic risks. The...

September 9, 2019
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