Pensions and retirement news covering 401(k), Social Security, public pensions, retirement savings policy, and defined benefit plans.
A Trump administration-backed proposal would permit 401K and Roth IRA funds to be invested in riskier assets like private equity, hedge funds, and cryptocurrency. Supporters argue it could yield higher returns, but critics warn that retirement savings should be protected from excessive risk.
The Ghanaian government cleared all outstanding SSNIT pension contributions for 2025 and paid GH¢156 million in advance for January 2026, boosting the fund's cash flow. SSNIT's active membership exceeded 2.17 million, and assets grew to GH¢35.4 billion by June 2026.
Spencer Jakab argues that the record Powerball jackpot is inflated by inflation, and draws a lesson for retirement savers about the importance of understanding real returns versus nominal figures. He suggests that savers should focus on purchasing power rather than headline numbers when planning for retirement.
HMRC forecasts that more than two million pensioners will pay tax on savings interest in 2026/27, up from 517,000 in 2022/23. The rise is due to frozen income tax thresholds and higher interest rates. Pensioners will make up 47% of all savings taxpayers, generating over £3.34 billion for the government.
This commentary argues that the recent surge in stock market wealth has enabled older Americans to retire early, citing a drop in workforce participation among those 55 and over. It suggests that the wealth effect from rising asset prices has made retirement a more feasible choice for many, contributing to the trend.
New research from Boston College finds only 49% of U.S. firms with fewer than 50 employees offer retirement plans, versus over 90% of larger employers. Small businesses cite cost and complexity, but many overestimate expenses and are unaware of tax credits. The gap leaves many households reliant on Social Security.
A Government paper revealed that large companies, with financial advisers, plotted to push staff into pension schemes with minimal benefits, undermining auto-enrolment. The schemes offered only 1% employer contributions, potentially breaching employment law. The State's MyFutureFund would provide higher contributions, increasing over time.
Colombia's Constitutional Court will resume its review of the pension reform on Thursday, ruling only on whether Congress fixed a procedural flaw, not the reform's merits. The law has been suspended since June 2025, with a substitute judge holding a tie-breaking vote. The ruling affects millions of savers and the country's fiscal outlook.
In this advice column, the author responds to a 67-year-old reader who has no retirement savings but now earns $200,000 annually. The columnist suggests balancing housing security with financial stability, weighing the risks of buying a condo versus renting and saving, while considering future Social Security benefits.
This commentary advises married or formerly married women on Social Security spousal benefits, explaining that they may claim up to 50% of a spouse's or ex-spouse's benefit at age 62 and later switch to their own higher benefit at age 70. It emphasizes reviewing eligibility rules and notes that the advice applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.