Our Scans · (FS.6.06) Personal Finance · Weekly Summary

• [New] In 2026, the industry size of personal finance apps is evaluated at USD 38.2 billion. Research Nester
• [New] The Government of Canada has announced that it will end mandatory retirement at age 65 nationwide, aligning with a growing movement toward flexible employment and retirement models. www.indigenousrocks.com
• [New] 68% of Canadians support ending mandatory retirement, while 24% oppose it, citing fears of job scarcity for younger workers. www.indigenousrocks.com
• [New] The average base salary for data scientists is $116,946, with the potential to earn between $77,000 to $198,000 USD annually. Pangea.ai
• [New] The expected salary for AI research scientists ranges from $136,000 to $225,000 annually, with a projected job growth rate of 20% higher by 2033. Pangea.ai
• [New] Australia's primary retirement savings program - known as superannuation - might have caught the attention of Washington officials. CNN
• [New] The proposed retirement savings account in Germany might become another stimulus for the future growth of ETFs in Germany. investing.com
• [New] If the unemployment rate continues to inch up, mortgage rates might go down in anticipation of more Fed cuts. WSJ Buyside
• Current systems could already take over tasks tied to roughly 11.7% of total wage value, or $1.2 trillion in pay, with especially high exposure across finance, health care and professional services. Insurance Business
• California's State Disability Insurance (SDI) program remains a crucial safety net for workers in 2026, providing partial wage replacement to employees who are unable to work due to a non work related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Day Off
• Major forecasters such as Fannie Mae, NAR, and the Mortgage Bankers Association generally expect 30-year mortgage rates to hover around the low-6% area through late 2025 and into 2026, with only gradual slippage below 6% if the Fed continues cutting and inflation stays contained. Credit and Collection News
• Traders are ramping up bets on two BOJ hikes by October in 2026 as inflation and wage signals strengthen. investing.com
• Most economists predict steady wage growth through 2026, especially in states with rising living costs. A One Fire Safety
• In New Jersey, the wage floor for long-term care workers will rise to $18.92 an hour from $18.49. Yahoo Finance UK
• The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans anticipates a 10% increase in health care costs. Webber Advisors
• Transamerica plans to drive growth in life and annuity sales through World Financial Group and its Protection Solutions business, while building its pooled retirement plans offering and reducing exposure to legacy financial assets. Insurance Business
• The Mortgage Bankers Association expects the 30-year mortgage rate to be near 6.4% through 2026. Yahoo Finance
• In a notable contrast, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is anticipated to hike rates by 25 bps to 0.75%, moving away from its long-standing zero-rate policies amid signs of wage growth and domestic inflationary pressures. FinancialContent
• Minimum wage levels across the U.S. will continue to evolve and that businesses and workers should stay alert to future changes. California Partnership For Safe Communities
• Mortgage rates are not expected to drop significantly before the end of the year, as economists continue to monitor inflation, tariffs, and the Federal Reserve's actions. Yahoo Finance
• Mexico's consumer confidence slipped, suggesting 2026 consumption may rely more on real wage gains and remittances. The Rio Times
• Private equity is expected to remain a significant driver in 2026, backed by more than US$ 2 trillion in undeployed capital, better exit options and more flexible debt markets. Insurance Business

Last updated: 22 December 2025