The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in March 2026 published new data on inflation, which fell to 3.3% in January 2026 from 3.6% in December 2025, but consumer prices remain 35.6% higher than pre-pandemic levels from December 2019. The decline was broad-based across the OECD region, with 22 of 35 countries reporting lower inflation rates. The number of OECD countries with inflation at or below 2% increased

According to new data published in March 2026 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), G20 GDP growth decelerated to 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from 0.9% in the previous quarter, according to preliminary estimates. The slowdown was driven by contractions in Canada and South Korea, both falling 0.2% after posting growth of 0.6% and 1.3% respectively in Q3. The United States saw growth

Laurent Nihoul, CEO of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA), in March 2026 was appointed vice-president of the International Federation of Risk and Insurance Management Associations (Ifrima). Nihoul, who assumed the FERMA CEO role from Typhaine Beaupérin last year, brings nearly three decades of experience spanning insurance, reinsurance, enterprise risk management, underwriting and risk financing. He succeeds former FERMA president Charlotte Hedemark Hancke in the IFRIMA vice-president

The adoption of AI in captive operations is a rapidly evolving topic, with AI tools advancing at a rapid pace: a major development every six months, while adoption rates vary greatly not only from one industry to another, but also between competitors within the same industry. It is therefore useful to take stock of the adoption of AI by captives and their managers in the first quarter of 2026.

Employee benefits captives have transformed from simple financing mechanisms into strategic platforms that deliver long-term financial value and support broader corporate objectives, according to International SOS Chief Risk Officer Franck Baron. Baron’s company has used its employee benefits (EB) captive to retain underwriting results, smooth volatility, and improve predictability across cycles while expanding into health risk management initiatives. The captive now addresses medical inflation, absenteeism, and long-term disability while

MAXIS Global Benefits Network in March 2026 appointed Brian McCarthy as Regional Manager for the US East Zone, tasking him with leading outbound business development across the eastern United States. McCarthy brings over 20 years of industry experience from pooling network IGP (International Group Program), where he spent 14 years as Assistant Vice President of Business Development. His expertise spans global benefits, captive reinsurance, product development, and client strategy.

Group critical illness insurance is gaining traction as employers seek comprehensive benefits that demonstrate genuine commitment to employee well-being while supporting retention and productivity goals. The coverage provides lump-sum payments upon diagnosis of serious conditions including cancer, heart attack, stroke, and major organ transplants. Unlike traditional group life insurance, this benefit offers immediate value to employees without dependents, addressing a key gap in standard benefits packages. Financial security represents

Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority has authorized its first new captive insurer of 2026, marking the third formation in the jurisdiction within less than a year as it actively pursues Asian market expansion. CNNC Captive Insurance Limited, established by China National Nuclear Corporation, brings Hong Kong’s total captive count to seven insurers. The formation represents a significant shift for the jurisdiction, which had remained relatively dormant for several years with

According to a study released in March 2026 by PwC, global assets under management (AUM) are projected to surge from $139 trillion today to $200 trillion by 2030, yet the asset and wealth management industry confronts a stark profitability paradox that threatens conventional business models. Despite this massive growth opportunity, profit margins continue their downward spiral. Profit as a share of assets under management has plummeted 19% since 2018

Australia’s Migration Amendment (Training Visas—Sponsorship Requirements) Regulations 2026 were published on 10 March and take effect on 11 March 2026. For Training visa subclass 407 applications, the changes require the relevant sponsorship and nomination approvals to be in place before a valid visa application can be lodged, subject to the provisions and exceptions in the instrument. The practical change is the order of the process. Employers should not assume

In the U.S., MetLife expects group benefits and retirement and income solutions to remain key drivers of growth, supported by favorable economic and demographic trends, a senior executive said in March 2026. Speaking at the Raymond James 47th Annual Institutional Investors Conference, Ramy Tadros, regional president of MetLife’s U.S. business, said the company sees strong fundamentals in the employer benefits market, including high returns on equity and a rational

PensionsEurope in March 2026 published a statement criticizing the European Commission’s revised Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), arguing it still fails to adequately address the unique characteristics of occupational pension schemes. The industry association warned that the SFDR framework remains primarily designed for retail investment products rather than pension funds, which operate in fundamentally different environments. Unlike retail investors who can execute personal investment preferences, pension scheme members participate

Pensioenfederatie, the Dutch Federation of Pension Funds, in February 2026 urged the European Commission to better coordinate public and private investment in climate resilience projects as physical climate risks become increasingly critical for long-term institutional investors. In its response to the Commission’s climate resilience consultation, Pensioenfederatie outlined three key recommendations to mobilize private institutional capital for climate adaptation. The federation called for clearer expectations around private capital’s role in

The UK’s Statement of Changes HC 1691, published on 5 March 2026, raises English requirements to CEFR B2 for settlement in specified routes from 26 March 2027, subject to exemptions. The changes include route-specific provisions for speaking and listening. They should not be presented as a universal B2 requirement for every immigration application made in March 2026. Settlement is a separate stage from initial permission to work. Employers and

The UK’s Statement of Changes HC 1691, laid on 5 March 2026, introduces targeted entry-clearance restrictions from 26 March 2026. The Student provisions concern nationals or citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. The Skilled Worker provision concerns nationals or citizens of Afghanistan. Applications made before commencement are subject to the stated transitional treatment. The scope matters. The text should not be described as a prohibition on every visa

On 3 March 2026, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower announced that eight additional occupations in food services, social services and air transportation would join the Non-Traditional Source Occupation List from September 2026. The factsheet retains an 8% NTS sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling and a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD2,000 for workers employed under the list. The announcement concerns a specified Work Permit mechanism. It should not be interpreted as

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower announced on 3 March 2026 that a new ONE Pass track for AI and technology talent would begin in January 2027 and replace Tech.Pass. The accompanying factsheet sets out company and individual criteria and allows qualifying remuneration to combine cash and specified non-cash components. Further details, including renewal criteria, are to follow. The announcement describes a future route. It does not establish that an applicant

German employers are offering an average of 6.6 employee benefits per company, yet 82% of HR leaders find the benefits market lacks in transparency and struggle to measure actual impact, according to the 2025 Roland Berger Study, published in February 2025. The comprehensive survey of over 1,700 HR executives reveals a troubling disconnect between benefits investment and strategic outcomes. Companies plan to add another 1.4 benefits in 2025, often

Fragomen’s alert dated 27 February 2026 reports a new compliance requirement from 9 March for applications in Japan’s Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services category involving dispatch arrangements, including relevant employer-of-record arrangements. Pledges are required from both the dispatching company and the client company. The reported commitments concern accurate application documents, activities consistent with the immigration status and cooperation with immigration checks. The announcement should retain its category and arrangement boundaries.

In an interview published on 26 February 2026, Vitalant describes the evolution of its Cayman captive and the possibility of changing retentions, limits and financing arrangements. The portfolio has expanded to include medical stop-loss and employment-related exposures, providing a concrete connection between captive strategy and employee benefits. The interview makes an important distinction about reinsurance: it is being considered, but is not yet in place in the account reviewed.

The Immigration Services Agency’s notice dated 24 February 2026 addresses the duration of the permit held when seeking permanent residence. It ends the treatment of a three-year period of stay as the maximum authorised period from 1 April 2027, with transitional provisions for qualifying holders of three-year permits. This concerns the duration authorised on the current permit. It should not be confused with a universal requirement to have lived

Article 128 of France’s 2026 Finance Act, published in the official journal on 20 February 2026, changes residence-related charges from 1 May. In the ordinary first-issuance case, the residence tax is EUR 300 and the separate stamp duty EUR 50, producing EUR 350 where both apply. The ordinary renewal tax remains EUR 200, while the higher stamp duty makes the combined amount EUR 250 where both apply. Reduced rates

Immigration New Zealand’s announcement published on 18 February 2026 sets the immigration median wage at NZD 35 per hour from 9 March. It explains that the general AEWV median-wage requirement was removed in March 2025, while several immigration settings remain indexed to the measure. Those settings include certain Green List requirements, advertising and skills exemptions, some maximum-stay rules and income thresholds for supporting family members. The announcement also recognises

Everywhen’s research release dated 18 February 2026 reports that 59% of respondents were concerned about employee mental health. Its research note identifies an Opinium survey of 500 UK HR decision makers conducted in January. The result describes employers’ stated concerns; it does not measure diagnosed illness, treatment outcomes or the effectiveness of a particular benefit. The findings offer a useful prompt for benefits teams to review the relationship between

Generali Group and Swiss Life Global Solutions in February 2026 announced they had entered into a long-term commercial partnership under which Generali Employee Benefits (GEB) will acquire Swiss Life Network, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction will combine the two groups’ global employee benefits networks, creating the largest platform worldwide in terms of geographical reach and premium volume. Once completed, the combined network will manage more than €3 billion

MAXIS GBN announced in February 2026 the appointment of Jayesh Patel as Chief Business Development Officer. Patel will join the Executive Committee and report to CEO Matthieu Rouot.

In Packaging Corporation of America Thrift Plan for Hourly Employees v. Langdon, decided on 2 February 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit considered an attempted beneficiary change after divorce. The participant’s fax expressed his wish to remove his former spouse, but he had not followed the plan’s specified telephone or online process. The court found that the participant had not satisfied the substantial compliance test