November 2024

US. Soaring Corporate Pensions Boost Retirement Security

Corporate pensions in the United States have been experiencing their strongest performance in over a decade. According to data from Aon, pension plan funding has consistently improved since the Great Recession. As of September 21, the pension-funded ratios of public companies on the stock index averaged 102%, signifying that pension funding had reached its highest point since late 2011, when the ratio was approximately 78%. A funded ratio is used to assess the health of a pension plan by...

‘Golden Girls’ no more: How America’s concept of old age became outdated

The idea of retirement is losing its luster The stereotype of retirement as a time to play golf, travel and relax is a relatively new concept in American history. But by now, even that idea is outdated as more older adults work longer and grapple with the need for purpose in their older years. Also, with people living longer and healthier, there may be several chapters in their lives to pursue different jobs, vocations and hobbies. In the new book, "Golden...

EEUU. El Fondo de Pensiones de la Ciudad de Nueva York (NYCERS) se suma a la alianza de propietarios de activos con emisiones netas cero de 9.5 billones de dólares

NYCERS se compromete con la Alianza de Propietarios de Activos Net-Zero de la ONU, alineándose con los esfuerzos globales para lograr emisiones netas cero para 2050. Fortalece su estrategia de inversión sostenible, reforzando el liderazgo en la mitigación del riesgo climático. Colabora con inversores que gestionan 9.5 billones de dólares, amplificando el impacto en las iniciativas climáticas globales. El Sistema de Jubilación de los Empleados de la Ciudad de Nueva York (Los neoyorquinos) se ha unido a la Net-Zero...

US. Strategic insights from pension funds – Global Investor Insights Survey

The Schroders Global Investor Insights Survey highlights pivotal shifts in pension fund investment strategies across US$13 trillion in assets. Nearly all respondents (94%) are either invested in or moving into private markets especially in areas like private debt, private equity, and renewable infrastructure – as pension funds seek long-term opportunities aligned with the energy transition and technological innovation. Indeed, the energy transition is a top priority for pension funds worldwide, with 93% of respondents already investing or planning to soon. The demand for...

N.Y. State Common Retirement Fund makes $4.6 billion in alternative investment commitments

The New York State Common Retirement Fund, Albany, has made 15 commitments totaling $4.6 billion to alternative investments, according to a notice posted on the website of Thomas P. DiNapoli, the state comptroller and sole trustee of the $267.7 billion pension fund. All commitments were made in September. The pension fund made five opportunistic absolute return strategy commitments for a total of $1.8 billion. The commitments are: TPG Solutions (A), managed by TPG Capital, for $500 million. This fund “invests exclusively”...

US. October Sees Gain in Corporate Pension Funded Status

An increase in discount rates helped corporate pensions by offsetting both a decline in asset values and weak investment returns. The funded ratios of corporate pension plans in the U.S. mostly improved in October, according to numerous trackers, continuing a near-perfect streak of month-over-month funded status improvement for more than a year. Despite weaker investment returns, most trackers found that declines in asset values were offset by increases in the discount rates used to value pension liabilities. According to Mercer,...

Four Questions to Narrow the Field of Retirement Income Solutions

The ranks of retirement income solutions are already impressive and continue to grow as participants’ needs evolve and providers innovate. It may seem like a tall task for defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors to home in on the solutions that warrant a closer look—even as the growing demand for lifetime income adds urgency to the effort. We think working through four critical questions, which address aspects such as the location, income certainty and accessibility of solutions, can help bring the...

US. Why do workers yearn for defined-benefit pension plans?

A closer look at the Boeing negotiations only makes the question more puzzling Boeing Co. unionized workers recently voted to accept the aerospace company's third contract offer and end their strike. The agreement does not include reopening the Boeing (BA) defined-benefit pension plan, which was cited as the major reason that the union rejected the second offer. Even though the strike is over, I find the fact that reopening the pension plan played such a prominent role in the negotiations really...

Real-World Shocks and Retirement System Resiliency

By Olivia S. Mitchell, John Sabelhaus & Stephen P. Utkus Growing awareness of real-world shocks including market downturns, health surprises, and labor market readjustment is calling into question the ability of global retirement systems to remain healthy and sustain future retirees. Financial and labor market stresses are shaping how older workers fare as they head into retirement, and how younger workers must prepare financially for their futures. These shocks come on top of long-standing concerns surrounding rising longevity, along with...

US. Republicans Break Protocol to Kill Social Security Benefits Expansion Bill

While many Republicans have called to protect or even expand Social Security benefits, GOP lawmakers killed a bill that would help millions of Americans get higher monthly payments. Experts spoke with Newsweek about the possible motives behind the move. A Social Security bill that would have repealed two rules that lower benefits for certain retirees was brought forward by House Reps. Garret Graves, (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). Despite the bill previously having a wide range of bipartisan support and Graves and Spanberger securing the 218 signatures needed...