April 2022

How to Get Americans to Save for Retirement

US. How to get people to save for retirement

The House voted 414-5 on March 29 to pass the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, or “Secure Act 2.0,” hailed in news reports as legislation that would “change the way Americans save for retirement” by requiring that employees be automatically enrolled in work retirement plans. Yet if enacted, Secure 2.0 would increase Americans’ annual retirement contributions by less than 0.2% in 10 years. Secure 2.0’s modest gains are thanks mostly to Republicans—who also have the biggest stake in making...

UK. Penfold: London weighting – how the capital is adopting better saving habits

New research released today from Penfold, the digital pensions platform, reveals Londoners are the least likely group in the UK to spend more than they save each month, despite the higher cost of living in the capital. Half (50%) of those in London say they spend more on non-essentials including eating out and events, the lowest of any region and compared to 64% of people in the East Midlands, 66% in Wales and 62% in the South East (see...

UK. Most auto-enrolment pension savers and employers are still anchored to the minimum rate

It’s nearly 10 years since automatic enrolment was launched amid great fanfare; TV adverts featuring famous bosses such as Baroness Brady and Theo Paphitis were part of a huge Government drive which has seen 10.6 million workers enrol in a workplace pension scheme, saving an additional £28.5bn towards their futures. Despite this rip-roaring success, there remains the question of whether the average auto-enrolment member is saving enough for the retirement they want. The Pension Commission, which paved the way for auto-enrolment,...

US. Saving for Retirement Is Harder Than It Should Be

US. Saving for Retirement Is Harder Than It Should Be

The U.S. government has long offered myriad contrivances and enticements to get Americans to save enough for a comfortable retirement — so far with woefully inadequate results. But why should it be involved at all? Why can’t people be responsible enough to prepare for an entirely foreseeable event? There are two answers. First, people turn out to be pretty bad at thinking about the distant future: It seems our brains aren’t wired for it. Second, compounding that problem, the financial...

UK. Majority of young savers adverse to risk in their pensions

Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of savers aged 18-30 feel they can afford to take on some risk with their pensions, even though they are many years away from retirement, new analysis from PensionBee has revealed. The survey, which included responses from over 500 British savers, discovered that only 7 per cent of young savers reported that they were currently invested in a high-risk pension scheme, despite having the longest time horizon to recoup any losses. PensionBee also found...

US. Saving for retirement is the top financial priority for just 17% of adults, survey shows

US. Saving for retirement is the top financial priority for just 17% of adults, survey shows

Saving for retirement appears to be taking a backseat to other financial considerations for many Americans right now. Just 17% have made saving for their post-working years their top financial priority for 2022, according to First National Bank of Omaha’s latest financial wellness survey. This is despite 59% of respondents worrying that they won’t be able to retire by age 65. Additionally, 46% of those surveyed said they have less than $15,000 saved for retirement. The survey was conducted in February...

March 2022

Ireland. State to pay €1 for every €3 a worker puts into new auto-enrolment pension scheme

Ireland. State to pay €1 for every €3 a worker puts into new auto-enrolment pension scheme

About 750,000 workers who do not currently have a pension will be enrolled in a new workplace pension scheme from January 2024, it has been announced. The Cabinet has agreed its long-awaited auto-enrolment pension scheme, which will cost the taxpayer €3 billion in its first year. Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has said this pension scheme will operate in addition to the State pension and will kick in at retirement age which is currently 66. The State will pay €1 for...

China:National Pension Insurance Co receives green light to start operations

China: National Pension Insurance Co receives green light to start operations

The CBIRC has given approval to the newly established National Pension Insurance Company to commence operations, making it the 10th standalone pension insurer operating in China. The business scope of the new company includes: annuity insurance, life insurance, accident insurance, health insurance; reinsurance business of the above-mentioned businesses; management of clients' yuan and foreign-currency denominated funds for the purpose of old-age security, etc. The National Pension Insurance Co is set up to serve as an impetus for the development of the...

New European pensions saving regime takes effect this week

New European pensions saving regime takes effect this week

EU legislation which gives effect to a new European pensions savings regime is being introduced this week The Pan-European Personal Pension (PEPP) is a voluntary retirement savings option for EU citizens that complements existing pension schemes. It allows people to pay into the same scheme throughout the EU, even if they move countries. Read also China: National Pension Insurance Co receives green light to start operations Rachel McGovern, director of financial services at Brokers Ireland, which represents 1,225 brokers, says pension providers...

Zimbabwe: Tougher Action Against Employers Not Remitting Pension Contributions

Zimbabwe: Tougher Action Against Employers Not Remitting Pension Contributions

Errant employers who do not remit the pension contributions of their employees will soon face both criminal charges and civil action with the proposed Pension Fund and Provident Fund Act now being debated by the Senate, upgrading the present law to protect pension funds. The Bill being debated this week in Senate replaces the present Pension and Provident Funds Act and upgrades the requirements for the registration and administration of pension and provident funds. Clause 17 of the Bill compels employers...