April 2022

Underfunded Public Sector Pension Plans, Social Security Participation, and the Retirement Decisions of Public Employees
14Apr

Underfunded Public Sector Pension Plans, Social Security Participation, and the Retirement Decisions of Public Employees

By Leslie E. Papke I analyze the effects of public pension parameters, Social Security coverage, and state pension fund sustainability on the retirement of public employees. I use data from the Health and Retirement Study, including personal early and normal retirement eligibility and state of residence. I develop a state-level measure of effective public pension plan sustainability that reflects both the degree of public plan underfunding and a state’s ability to fund the plan with its own resources. Using the...

April 14, 2022
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March 2022
31Mar

Fiscal Challenges and Inclusive Growth in Ageing Societies. OECD Economic Policy Paper

By OECD This paper was prepared in support of Japan’s G20 Presidency. It takes stock of ongoing and projected population ageing across G20 economies and its far-reaching implications for economic growth, productivity, inequality within and between generations and the sustainability of public finances. Rising old-age dependency ratios will put the financing of adequate pensions, health and long-term care under high pressure. The paper provides recommendations on policy responses to address ageing-related challenges and highlights good practices. A comprehensive approach is needed,...

March 31, 2022
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23Mar

Australia. Five Million Pensioners And Jobseekers To Receive An Increase On Payments

Five million Australians will benefit from the largest increase in social security payments since 2013. Centrelink adjusts the maximum pension payment twice a year – in both March and September, to ensure payments to those in need are at the standard of rising costs. From 20 March 2022, the new increase will see a 2.1 percent raise for those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Pension, resulting in a $20.10 boost per fortnight for singles and $30.20 a...

March 23, 2022
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President Sisi approves 13% increase in pensions: Egypt’s PM
22Mar

President Sisi approves 13% increase in pensions: Egypt’s PM

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi approved a 13-percent increase in pensions, said Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli in a press conference on Monday, adding that the increase would be applied next April rather than July, at an additional cost of LE 8 billion. The conference was held after a number of decisions taken by the Central Bank of Egypt regarding the rates of interest and exchange to mitigate the global economic repercussions of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia military escalation. The Prime Minister said...

March 22, 2022
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14Mar

US. A Guide To The State Pension Funds Divesting From Russia

As economic sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine spread, state and local public pension plans are looking at selling off their Russian-related assets and some are already doing so. Lawmakers in at least a dozen states are pressuring their pension funds to divest from Russian-related investments. Divestment isn’t likely to have much impact on the funds themselves as Russian-domiciled investments make up less than 1% of most (if not all) state portfolios. But collectively, it sends a message....

March 14, 2022
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11Mar

US. Putin, Russian Pals “Mystery” Partners in Public Pension Deals?

America’s state and local government pensions invest as much as 40 percent of their assets in secretive, offshore “alternative” hedge, private equity, real estate and venture funds which warn that certain unidentified “mystery investors” pay lower fees, are provided greater information about investment strategies and portfolio holdings, have been granted liquidity preferences and receive superior net performance—all at the expense of America’s public sector workers. Read also US. Corporate pension buyouts record second-highest year in volume How many wealthy Russians are...

March 11, 2022
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10Mar

South Africa. GEPF will grant a 5.5% increase to its pensioners

The Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) has announced that its pensioners will receive an annual pension increase of 5.5% from April 1, 2022. Read also Saving for Retirement by Kenya’s Informal Sector According to the fund, it instituted the increase to enable its beneficiaries to keep up with rising inflationary rates. Read also India. Labour Ministry launches ‘Donate-a-Pension’ initiative: Check details “This pension increase is based on the 5.5% inflation rate for the 12 months ending 30 November 2021, thus making the increase...

March 10, 2022
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09Mar

Russia. Putin signs law allowing government to quickly raise pensions – RIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing his government to quickly raise pensions, part of a set of anti-crisis measures after Russia was hit by a wave of economic sanctions over Ukraine, the RIA news agency reported on Tuesday. Read also UK. Pension Protection Fund pulls out of Russia Read also UK pension funding levels prove resilient in February despite the crisis in Ukraine Another new initiative signed into law by Putin gave individuals and small- and medium-sized businesses the...

March 9, 2022
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03Mar

A History of Public Sector Pensions in the United States

By Robert L. Clark, Lee A. Craig & Jack W. Wilson Understanding the historical development of pensions is critical to the future of retirement systems around the world. A History of Public Sector Pensions in the United States offers a comprehensive assessment of the political and financial dimensions of public sector pensions from the colonial period until the emergence of modern retirement plans in the twentieth century. The authors emphasize how retirement plans can help achieve human resource objectives, how...

March 3, 2022
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February 2022
21Feb

UK. More universities join strike action over pay and pensions

Strike action at UK universities has spread to 68 institutions as staff blamed bosses for failing to make improved offers on pensions, pay and working conditions. The University and College Union said today (February 21) more than 50,000 staff have a mandate to strike and over a million students are being impacted. Strikes initially began at 44 universities last week (February 14) and a further 24 have joined today. The union, which represents all university staff, said new retail price index figures...

February 21, 2022
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