Shy and retiring? Pensions, geopolitics, and volatility in 2024

Pensions have come sharply into focus in recent months for the global investment community. A number of factors are in play to see global pensions funds and markets evolve at a faster pace than a leisurely retirement might suggest.

Regulatory and political pressures shape UK pensions

Against a backdrop of political and regulatory change, the UK pensions market faces its own unique set of challenges. With calls for ‘less regulation’ and a change of guard for the UK Government, important conversations are taking place about the future for UK pensions and the country’s status and role in relation to its peers in EMEA and the U.S.

The Savvy Investor team will be attending the PLSA Annual Conference October 15-17 to discuss the challenges and opportunities now and in the future and learn more about the current scenarios for UK pensions investment. PLSA’s annual report provides a valuable overview of the UK landscape.

The shift to DC

Looking beyond the UK, there has been a noticeable shift to DC pensions schemes—what does this mean when combined with the pace of tech change and geopolitical uncertainty? There appears to be much to learn about retirement income strategies and approaches – something that has been highlighted and discussed in detail by PGIM recently and regular insightful commentary from Vanguard, both in their Retirement Outlook and Fiona Greig’s, Ph.D.’s illuminating and practical conversations.

Who’s retiring, anyway?

Demographics and studying their evolution in the U.S. have drawn particular focus on there are some useful resources to consider this in more detail, such as Franklin Templeton’s Deep Waves series.

How to prepare and manage risk?

The Thinking Ahead Institute has provided a valuable guide to the Top 300 pension funds globally. The Society of Pension Professionals has authored a useful piece on the impact of reforms in the UK and what the future of DC pensions could look like in the region.

Keeping up to date on developments

The Savvy Investor content team is continuing to source a wealth of resources to shed light on the pensions landscape worldwide and has several informative updates planned in the months ahead. Stay on top of the latest thinking and guidance to support retirement investment decisions at Pension Funds Research Network | Savvy Investor