- The sample Irish defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes saw their funding level and returns all decrease in July 2026, according to LCP.

The sample DB scheme’s funding level fell by 1.5 per cent to around 111 per cent during the month. This was driven by asset values decreasing by 2.1 per cent, although the decline was partially offset by liabilities falling by 0.6 per cent in July. Meanwhile, LCP’s high risk, medium risk, and pension purchase DC strategies all experienced negative returns over the month. The high risk strategy saw returns of -0.7 per cent, the medium risk strategy returned -1.7 per cent, and the pension purchase strategy returned -3.1 per cent.

- The prices and values for the provision of Bulgarian financial services in the sectors regulated by the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) can now only be reported in euros, the commission has announced.

Previously, prices and values were reported in both Bulgarian lev and euros. The sectors covered by the change are the capital, insurance, and pension insurance markets, arising from the law on the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria. From 9 August 2026, all FSC-supervised entities must announce the values and prices of the services they offer in euros. At their discretion, they may continue to indicate the lev equivalent for informational purposes only. Pension insurance companies will present the value of the funds accumulated in individual accounts, the fees and deductions collected, and the remaining monetary values contained in the information provided to insured persons, pensioners and their beneficiaries in euros. Pensions and other payments from supplementary pension funds and payment funds are granted and paid in euros.

- The number of disability pensioners in Norway has increased year-on-year, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (Nav) has revealed.

In the year to the end of June 2026, the number of people aged between 18 and 67 receiving disability benefits increased by 3,700 to 378,500 recipients. The number of recipients of disability benefits as a share of the population was 10.6 per cent, a year-on-year increase of 0.1 percentage points. Nav noted that the growth in disability pensioners was primarily driven by the 30-44 year old age group. The largest number of people with disability benefits were in the oldest age groups. However, the proportion of older disabled people has decreased “significantly”, while it has increased among age groups under 55 years.

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