Russia Archives - Pension Policy International

28JanJanuary 28, 2025

Russia Announces Major Pension Indexation Updates

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced significant updates to the pension indexation system, which will take effect from January 2025. These changes aim to adjust pension payments based on actual inflation rates, enhancing the financial support available to millions of retirees across the country. Starting January, the insurance pensions for both working and non-working pensioners were initially indexed by 7.3%. Recognizing the necessity for more substantial support amid rising inflation, Putin proposed to retroactively increase the indexation to 9.5% effective...

January 28, 2025

News, Slider2025, Adequacy, Public Pensions, Russia

22JulJuly 22, 2024

How U.S. pension funds help Putin’s gas gambit

Russia needs to ramp up liquefied natural gas exports to replenish Kremlin coffers and fund its war in Ukraine. Western pension funds may inadvertently be lending a hand. Data compiled by investigative consultancy Data Desk and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective show that public retirement funds, including those managed by the states of Washington, New York and California, have indirectly invested in the specialized ice-class carriers serving Russia’s Yamal LNG — the country’s largest active gas export terminal and a vital...

July 22, 2024

NewsInvestment, Russia, US

21JunJune 21, 2024

Russia. Putin suggests using oil windfall for pensions

Russia's President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday to use a part of the accumulated oil wealth to support voluntary pensions saving and capitalise development institutions. "Part of the money in the National Prosperity Fund should be used to co-finance voluntary pension savings," Putin said in his annual address to both houses of parliament. Putin suggested the state should contribute 1,000 roubles for each 1,000 roubles contributed by private individuals in voluntary pension savings schemes. "Part of the money should be used for...

June 21, 2024

NewsFunding, Russia, Voluntary Savings

01JulJuly 1, 2022

Japan. World’s Top Pension Fund Writes Off Russia Stocks, Sells Bonds and Closes Year With Gains

Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund said Friday that it’s been selling Russian assets since March following the invasion of Ukraine, marking down some values to almost zero in the process. The world’s biggest pension fund has substantially reduced holdings of Russian bonds, which can still be traded over-the-counter. The fund has been largely stuck with the country’s stocks, as foreign investors face trading restrictions, Chief Investment Officer Eiji Ueda said in the GPIF annual report. The Government Pension Investment Fund lost...

July 1, 2022

News2022, Investment, Japan, Russia

23JunJune 23, 2022

Russia sanctions will hit US pensions

The Pacific Investment Management Co. (Pimco) has warned the U.S. Treasury Department about the fallout to investors from the strict sanctions that are pushing Russia toward default. Executives at the asset management giant told the U.S. Treasury that U.S. pension funds will face losses if fund managers are forced to write down their Russian holdings, according to people familiar with the matter. They also made the point that a Russian default would allow President Vladimir Putin to keep foreign currency...

June 23, 2022

News2022, Investment, Russia, US

10JunJune 10, 2022

U.S. prohibits investors from buying Russian debt, stocks

U.S. investors are prohibited from buying both new and existing debt and equity securities issued by an entity in the Russian Federation, according to new Treasury Department guidance. The guidance released Monday clarifies that executive orders signed this year by President Joe Biden encompass bans on Americans purchasing all Russian debt and Russian company shares. U.S. investors are still allowed to hold Russian securities they already hold and purchasing shares in a U.S. fund that contains Russian debt or equity securities...

June 10, 2022

News2022, Investment, Russia, US

26MayMay 26, 2022

Putin hikes Russian pensions, plays down Ukraine impact on economy

President Vladimir Putin ordered 10% rises on Wednesday in pensions and the minimum wage to cushion Russians from inflation, but denied the country's economic problems were all linked to the war in Ukraine. With annual inflation near 18% last month, the Kremlin leader acknowledged that 2022 would be a "difficult" year for the Russian economy. "When I say 'difficult', it doesn't mean all these difficulties are connected to the special military operation," Putin told a televised meeting of the State Council...

May 26, 2022

News2022, Public Pensions, Russia

19AprApril 19, 2022

World Bank cuts 2022 global growth outlook on Russia invasion

The World Bank cut its forecast for global economic expansion this year on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is planning to mobilize a funding package bigger than the COVID-19 response for nations to deal with various resulting and ongoing crises. The institution lowered its estimate for global growth in 2022 to 3.2% from a January prediction of 4.1%, President David Malpass told reporters on a call on Monday. The decline was spurred by a cut in the outlook for Europe...

April 19, 2022

News2022, Political economy, Russia, Ukraine

11AprApril 11, 2022

Russia: Have investment trends shifted irreversibly?

It has been six weeks since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, beginning what is perhaps the largest ground conflict in Europe since Germany declared war on France in 1940. Already this has changed the world immeasurably, as well as sending shockwaves through the markets. Read also Germany set for bumper pension hike amid inflation surge As the west has grouped together to impose crippling sanctions on the Kremlin’s elite, businesses have turned away from Russia, causing their economy to haemorrhage. The decision to...

April 11, 2022

News2022, Investment, Political economy, Russia

31MarMarch 31, 2022

U.S. funds remain vigilant over exposure to Russian securities

U.S. pension funds large and small are monitoring their portfolios for exposure to Russian securities and are asking their money managers to divest those investments as Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine. Members of the investment staff of the $41 billion defined benefit plan of Indiana Public Retirement System, Indianapolis, have been "actively monitoring and managing its Russian-related investments leading into and throughout the invasion into Ukraine," a statement from the fund said. Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issued an...

March 31, 2022

News2022, Investment, Russia, US

January 2025

Russia Announces Major Pension Indexation Updates

July 2024

How U.S. pension funds help Putin’s gas gambit

June 2024

Russia. Putin suggests using oil windfall for pensions

July 2022

Japan. World’s Top Pension Fund Writes Off Russia Stocks, Sells Bonds and Closes Year With Gains

June 2022

Russia sanctions will hit US pensions

U.S. prohibits investors from buying Russian debt, stocks

May 2022

Putin hikes Russian pensions, plays down Ukraine impact on economy

April 2022

World Bank cuts 2022 global growth outlook on Russia invasion

Russia: Have investment trends shifted irreversibly?

March 2022

U.S. funds remain vigilant over exposure to Russian securities