October 2024

Morocco faces challenges of corruption and reform of pension system

The Government Action Observatory, affiliated with Al-Hayat Centre for Civil Society Development in Morocco, has warned that one of the most prominent challenges facing the government of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch in its fourth year is that of reforming the pension system, which is at risk of bankruptcy by 2028. Corruption is also one of the pressing issues, as the cost of this affliction in Morocco exceeds 50 billion dirhams annually, which hinders economic growth and affects efforts to improve...

Social pensions in the Americas: Recent developments

By International Social Security Association Ensuring adequate social security coverage for an ageing population is an important priority for governments and the global membership of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). Social pensions, also known as zero pillar or non-contributory pensions, complement contributory social insurance systems by providing a guaranteed source of income for people not adequately protected by other forms of social security. In doing so, they expand overall social protection and can be a powerful tool for combating...

UK. Why even at 20 you should care about pension changes

There is growing speculation that the way pensions are taxed could be changed in the Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she needs to find £22bn and some experts say she could change the system on workplace or private pensions to find some of this money. This is separate from another debate about the state pension. There are a number of options which could affect workers getting their first job, those already working, all the way up to those in retirement. This...

Azerbaijan prepares proposals to increase minimum wage and pension – minister

Under the directives from Azerbaijan’s President, an increase in the minimum wage and minimum pension will be implemented across the country starting next year, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev said at the ministry's board meeting, Trend reports. Information was presented regarding efforts to enhance the regulatory legal framework in the areas of labor, pensions, disability, and other sectors as part of ongoing social reforms. It was noted that over 20 draft...

Swiss MP proposes integration of pension model for temp workers in second pillar

Christian Lohr, member of parliament (MP) for The Centre (Die Mitte) party in the National Council, the lower house of the Swiss parliament, has asked the government (Federal Council) to assess the possibility of integrating the pension model designed by the industry for temporary workers into the second pillar pension system, as an alternative to change occupational pensions after the public rejected the proposed reform in a recent vote. The pension fund model in the temporary employment sector enables many...

September 2024

Swiss social democrats, unions lay out vision to change second pillar pension system

The Swiss social democratic party (SP) and several workers’ unions are laying out their views to change the second pillar pension system following the recent vote against a proposed reform. “What is needed now is progress in terms of women’s pensions, automatic inflation compensation and an end to rip-offs by banks and insurance companies,” the party said in a statement released soon after the results. The social democrats demand measures to close pension gaps, especially for women. “The introduction of education and care...

China’s retirement age reforms not enough to fix pension headache

China's move to raise retirement ages is a starting point to plug gaping pension deficits and bolster a shrinking workforce but more pain lies ahead as the economy slows, making further reforms urgent, say economists and demographers. Aging populations are a global phenomenon, but the issue is particularly stark in China due to the legacy of its one-child-policy, which was in place for three decades and has exacerbated its demographic challenges. China’s number of births dropped to 9 million last year and the...

Swiss Voters Shoot Down Government’s Pension-Fund Reform

Swiss voters rebuffed a government plan to reform company pension funds, marking the second time this year that a proposal to adapt the country’s retirement system to changed demographics was rejected in a plebiscite. The bill to increase wage deductions and reduce retirement payouts — in order to cope with higher life expectancy — was supported by just 32.9% of the electorate, according to final government results published on Sunday. “Now we stick with the status quo,” Switzerland’s leading business lobby...

Key Elements of the Pension Reform Agreement Signed Today by Spanish Government and Unions

The keys to the pension reform agreement are being finalized today, September 18, 2024. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will join union leaders to mark this important event. The reform aims to improve retirement conditions for workers, especially those in tough jobs. Key Takeaways Pedro Sánchez to sign pension reform agreement. Early retirement options for hard professions. Partial retirement regulations improved for workers. Lower retirement age for specific job conditions. Enhanced conditions for fixed-discontinuous workers. Mútues to collaborate on temporary...

South Africa. Over 63,000 government employees dip into their two-pot retirement funds, says GPAA

The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) has confirmed that that more than 60,000 public sector employees have made applications to make withdrawals from their savings pot of the two-pot retirement system. According to the GPAA, the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEFP) has received a little under 63,000 two-pot retirement system applications since September 1, 2024. In terms of two-pot retirement system enquiries, the GPAA said it has received a high number of applications from its members, which include teachers, nurses, police officers and other...