November 2021

US Department of Labor recovered more than $2.4B to employee benefit plans, participants, beneficiaries in fiscal year 2021

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has recovered more than $2.4 billion in direct payments to plans, participants and beneficiaries in fiscal year 2021. In FY 2021, EBSA closed 1,072 civil investigations with 741 of those investigations resulting in monetary results for plans or other corrective actions. The investigations led to 16,024 terminated vested participants in defined benefit plans collecting benefits of $1.548 billion owed to them. Terminated vested results represent a combination of the present values...

No pension. No savings. No future. No wonder we’re betting the house on crypto

By Rohit Thawani I must begin this article by stating that the information I’m providing is not financial advice. I think I legally have to say that because I heard it on a podcast or whatever, I really don’t know. But, if you’re taking crypto advice from me, that might be your first problem. It all started with a missed shot. Let’s go back to 2004, when I invested my $5,000 life savings into Apple, a company I truly believed in. It...

Pension funds can steer next level growth and development in Nigeria

In retrospect, it is widely attested that an active pension ecosystem effectively congregating players – a regulator, administrators, custodians, public and private sector employers and working-class persons across several age groups – is well established in Nigeria. The maturity of this industry relative to more advanced economies of the world like the US or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nonetheless, the pension industry globally has displayed great resilience, navigating the turbulence and whirlwinds: macroeconomic shocks, economic downturns,...

Nigeria. Pension schemes subscribers increased by 3.6% year-on-year in 2020 – PenCom

The National Pension Commission, PenCom, has disclosed that the total membership of the pension Schemes increased by 3.6% from 8.95 million from December 2019 to 9.3 million in December 2020. This is according to the Commission’s recently released 2020 Annual Report. Growth in the industry is said to have been triggered by factors such as increase in the level of compliance by the public and private sectors owing to steps taken by the commission to improve compliance and coverage, as well...

The State of Retirement Income: Safe Withdrawal Rates 

What’s a safe withdrawal rate for retirees? We estimate 3.3%. However, there are various factors that could affect this percentage, resulting in the retiree withdrawing a significantly higher amount. This report explores ways that retirees can make their savings last longer without compromising their standard of living. Source @Morningstar

UK. Huge increase in pension schemes with over £1bn

There has been a 90% increase in the number of UK pension schemes with over £1bn in assets since 2013, research by Barnett Waddingham has uncovered. In a report published today, the researchers also reveal how 55% of pensions schemes studied were closed to accrual this year, up from just 15% eight years ago. Expansion of pension scheme assets has meant more significant challenges for trustees and employers at a time when there’s about to be a step change in regulatory...

October 2021

Pandemic Offers This Silver Lining For Retirement Savers

From doctors visits to business meetings, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted so many of our everyday interactions from in person to online. One silver lining of this dramatic change has been increased engagement when it comes to people learning about their retirement savings. Transamerica, an investment solutions, retirement and insurance company, has seen a significant uptick in the number of retirement plan participants meeting virtually with plan consultants since the start of the pandemic. From doctors visits to business meetings, the...

Effects of COVID-19 early release of pension funds: The case of Chile

By Miguel Lorca Amid the extraordinary economic effects of COVID-19, some policymakers have turned to retirement accounts to support individuals in financial hardship. Given the haste, the long-term impacts and their heterogeneity have scarcely been analyzed. Using Monte Carlo simulations on the Chilean Social Protection Survey linked with administrative data, this study quantifies the effects of a 10% early release of pension funds. Each withdrawn dollar brings losses of 1.59 dollars in future retirement savings, reducing monthly pension benefits by...

2021 End-of-Year Plan Amendment Deadlines and Other Considerations

As the year draws to a close, it is helpful for employers to pause and evaluate employee benefit plan amendment deadlines and other crucial fourth quarter benefit considerations, as described below. Plan Amendment Deadlines Many benefit plan changes must be amended by year end to reflect pandemic relief provisions implemented under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CAFETERIA PLAN AND FSA...

Many Americans are facing a retirement savings shortfall

A new survey says 40% of Americans actually fear retirement more than death. The study found 87% of people fear not having enough income in retirement. The second biggest fear is losing health insurance. A variety of factors are influencing these fears. Many Americans are facing retirement savings shortfall and more than half worry about the future of social security. When deciding to retire, one of the biggest factors to consider is if you have enough money saved. To sustain...