Japan's Meiji Yasuda to raise return rate for corporate pensions

Other insurers likely to follow suit after BOJ exits negative interest rates

20240405N Meiji Yasuda building

Meiji Yasuda is Japan's second largest insurer in terms of funds, with 3.4 trillion yen under management. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)

OKI HIDAKA and RIHO TAKAHASHI, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance will raise its assumed rate of return for defined-benefit pension plans managed on behalf of corporations to 1.3% from 1.25% in April 2025, a first for a major Japanese insurer following the Bank of Japan's lifting of its negative interest rate policy.

The company had lowered the fixed interest rate for corporate pensions to 0.50% from 1.25% in order to be able to respond flexibly even if interest rates dropped again, while also guaranteeing yields of 0.8% for three years, effectively bringing returns to 1.3%.

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