Core Insights - Global pension assets reached a record USD 68.3 trillion in 2025, marking a 9.6% year-on-year increase driven by defined contribution (DC) savings [1] - The US remains the largest pensions market, constituting 66% of the Top 22 globally, while Canada has overtaken Japan to become the second largest pensions market with a 12% year-on-year growth [4] - The UK pension market has experienced weak growth of only 1.4% per annum over the last decade, resulting in a drop from the second largest to the fourth largest pensions market [5] Global Market Overview - In 2025, global markets showed sustained recovery with strong investor sentiment, leading to the creation of USD 6.0 trillion in pension asset value [2] - Among the top seven global pensions markets, DC assets now account for 63% of total assets, with Australia and the US having the highest allocations at 90% and 72% respectively [2] Growth Trends - Over the past decade, Australia, the US, and Canada have seen above-average growth rates in their predominantly DC markets, with annual growth rates of 6.6%, 7.7%, and 5.3% respectively [3] - South Korea, Switzerland, and Hong Kong also experienced growth rates exceeding 8% per annum over the last ten years [3] Structural Changes - The UK pension market is undergoing a structural shift, with defined benefit (DB) schemes maturing and de-risking, while DC schemes are expanding, now representing around 40% of UK pension assets, up from 18% in 2020 [6] Asset Allocation Trends - Over the last 20 years, the overall allocation to equities in the seven largest pensions markets has decreased by nine percentage points to 48%, while bonds and other asset classes have increased by three and six percentage points respectively [7] Market Performance - 2025 saw broad-based gains across global markets, with equities performing particularly well and fixed income also posting gains due to global rate cuts and narrowing credit spreads [8] Future Outlook - The outlook for 2026 is expected to be influenced by policy decisions, technological innovation, and shifting global dynamics, with fiscal support and AI-related investments identified as key growth drivers [9] - A 'Total Portfolio Approach' is becoming increasingly important in the current uncertain and complex investment environment, enabling faster and more coordinated decision-making [10]

Scores of Russian pensioners want their pensions paid in crypto and spend their free time mining Bitcoin. The issue of cryptocurrency pensions was one of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of Russia’s most popular requests last year, the Russian publication RG reported. The fund said its agents fielded 37 million calls from pensioners in 2025. “Current trends are being reflected in citizens’ questions,” the fund wrote on its Telegram channel. “Many people inquired about whether it was possible to r ...

Core Points - Nearly 300 Houston city workers who took early retirement have not received pension payments, causing financial concerns [1][2] - The City of Houston offered early retirement buyouts to about 3,000 workers due to a projected budget shortfall, with around 1,000 accepting the offer [3] - The Houston Municipal Employees Pension System (HMEPS) is experiencing a higher than usual caseload, which has contributed to the delays in payments [4] Summary by Sections Pension Payment Delays - Nearly 300 former city employees are facing delays in receiving pension payments, which were expected within 30 to 60 days after retirement [1][2] - The HMEPS board chair indicated that timing and incorrect paperwork from some retirees contributed to the delays [4] Early Retirement Buyout Program - The City of Houston initiated an early retirement buyout program as a cost-saving measure amid a budget shortfall, with approximately 1,000 employees accepting the offer in April [3] - The pension plan involved is a defined benefit plan, which is becoming less common compared to defined contribution plans [5] HMEPS Operations - HMEPS typically processes an average of 39 retirements per month, but the recent influx has created a backlog [4] - Additional staff have been hired to address the payment issues, with expectations that payments will be made by the end of September [4]

Group 1 - LifeSight has been appointed by Emerson as its full master trust provider, covering all active, deferred, and drawdown members [1][2] - The partnership began with LifeSight providing Drawdown solutions in 2020, and the full transition was completed by April 2025, with LifeSight going live for Emerson members on February 1, 2025 [2] - The addition of Emerson's membership increases LifeSight's total to 430,000 members and over £24 billion in assets under management [4] Group 2 - Emerson emphasized the importance of technology and member engagement, with LifeSight's mobile app significantly enhancing member interaction with retirement savings [3] - Phil Lamb, Pensions Manager at Emerson, highlighted LifeSight's investment strategy, member communication, and technology as key factors in their selection process [4] - LifeSight offers a comprehensive solution for defined contribution pension schemes, addressing the complexities and costs faced by employers [6][7]