Author Archives: VSC

Hong Kong’s 2016 Stamp Program

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From Hongkong Post:

16 January 2016
1. Year of the Monkey
The “Year of the Monkey” issue is the fifth of the fourth Lunar New Year special stamp series of Hongkong Post. The four stamps depict the playful character of the Monkey and the vibrancy of the New Year through different art forms, including coloured glass, embroidery, silverware and Beijing opera mask paper-cut. One of the two stamp sheetlets is printed on silk, capturing the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year.

16 January 2016
1a. Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Ram/Monkey
As the Lunar New Year arrives, the Ram and the Monkey have paired up to join the celebration. This stamp sheetlet presents the Ram in silver foil and the Monkey in 22K gold-plate, making it a precious collectible.

22 February 2016
2. Centenary of Hong Kong Girl Guides
Since its establishment in 1916, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association has been committed to empowering local girls and young women to become responsible global citizens. This set of four stamps, incorporating the four interest badges (Service, Character, Fitness and Skill) in the background design, commemorates the centenary of the founding of the Association. The stamps also illustrate the history of the Association by featuring the Girl Guides’ uniforms from different periods. The perforation of the souvenir sheet, which depicts the emblem of the Association, is unique in design.

31 March 2016
3. Public Architecture in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is endowed with some outstanding public architecture. This stamp set introduces six award-winning local public architecture, namely, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Victoria Park Swimming Pool Complex, Sai Kung Waterfront Park, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters. The stamps highlight the key function of each facility with special ink. The set of postage prepaid picture cards has 3-D visual effect.

14 April 2016
4. Centenary of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade
Established in 1916, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade provides free first aid and nursing services to the public. This set of four stamps features the Brigade’s ambulance, first aid service, free dental care for the handicapped and youth services. These stamps not only enhance public understanding of the Brigade, but also pay tribute to members of the Brigade for their contribution to the community.

10 May 2016
5. World Heritage in China Series No. 5: The Grand Canal
This fifth stamp sheetlet of the World Heritage in China features the Grand Canal. The Canal, a magnificent example of hydraulic and water transportation engineering works, had 31 sections that connected northern China and southern China. As one of the oldest canals in the world, the Grand Canal facilitated economic and cultural development along its course. The design of the stamp sheetlet echoes the spectacular scenery along the ancient Grand Canal.

8 June 2016
6. Toys of Hong Kong 1940s – 1960s
Toys are children’s best playmates. Different generations have their own favourites. The stamps in this issue feature classic Hong Kong toys in the 1940s – 1960s. With a lacquered-gloss effect, these stamps will evoke many feelings and memories.

6 July 2016
7. 57th International Mathematical Olympiad 2016
The International Mathematical Olympiad is a competition for high school students worldwide. The event, held annually in different countries and regions, provides an opportunity for youngsters under the age of 20 gifted in mathematics to show their mathematical prowess and nurtures the interest of students in mathematics. Hong Kong will host the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad from July 6 to 16, 2016. To mark this event, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet. The stamp sheetlet features Ceva’s Theorem and contains a circular stamp depicting a geometric problem that was formulated by Hong Kong and adopted in the 2010 Olympiad.

5 August 2016
8. Games of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016
The Games of the XXXI Olympiad will be held from 5 to 21 August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This set of four stamps celebrates this quadrennial sports event. The silhouettes of the sportsmen portray eight games of the Olympiad: six in which the Hong Kong, China Delegation has won or participated, plus the two newly introduced sports of rugby and golf. The dynamic design and the special printing effect of the stamps convey the competitive spirit of the athletes. This stamp set will be issued on the opening day of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

6 September 2016
9. A Tribute to Teachers
10 September is designated as Teacher’s Day in Hong Kong. It aims to foster respect and cultivate trust and affection between teachers and students. The four stamps carry chalk drawings on a blackboard, all expressing students’ gratitude towards their teachers.

13 October 2016
10. Hong Kong Hiking Trails Series No. 1: Lantau Trail
This first issue of the Hong Kong Hiking Trails series features 12 stamps on the Lantau Trail. The 70-kilometre trail, with its 12 sections passing through the Lantau Country Park, has fantastic scenery particularly of sunrise and cloudscape.

12 November 2016
11. The 150thAnniversary of the Birth of Dr. SUN Yat-sen
2016 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr. SUN Yat-sen, who received education and developed his revolutionary ideas in Hong Kong. This set of stamps, with four oil paintings of Dr. Sun, follows his footsteps in Hong Kong in different periods, giving us a better understanding of the life and achievements of this prominent figure.

6 December 2016
12. Hong Kong Museums Collection – Pencil Drawings by Mr. KONG Kai-ming
Mr. KONG Kai-ming is a native Hong Kong artist and educator widely acclaimed for his dedication and accomplishments. This new issue in the Hong Kong Museums Collection series contains seven pencil drawings of local streetscape by Mr. Kong during the 1980s and 1990s. Intaglio printing is applied to highlight the fine details of the original artwork.

Canada’s 2016 Stamp Program

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Canada Post has announced stamps for the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek.” Details are being released slowly: Get the latest here.

[press release]
Canada Post’s 2016 stamp program: exploring the Canadian cultural, historical, and natural landscape
Updated March 13th

OTTAWA, Nov. 18, 2015 /CNW/ – From historic achievements and milestone moments in Canada’s political movement to wild creatures from the past and present, the subjects Canada Post has announced for its 2016 stamp program are unique threads in the nation’s fabric. A couple of special releases are still under wraps and will be announced closer to their launch date.

can_fashionqueenStrong Women: A new definitive stamp honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be issued, a fitting tribute to the longest reigning monarch in history. [Issued January 11th; details here.] A special commemorative stamp will also mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Canada and its role in the fight for equality. [Issued March 8th; details here.]

Strong Men: This year’s Black History Month stamp will pay homage to the brave men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, which celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2016. [Issued February 1st; details here] Some tough and talented Canadian puck-handlers get the nod in the fourth set in a five-year series leading up to the 100th anniversary of the National Hockey League.

can_yrmonkeyHappy Holidays: The popular Lunar New Year stamp series continues with the eighth release in the 12-year series – this time, with the Monkey taking the reins from the Ram. [Issued January 11th and February 1st; details here.] The year closes out, as always, with the highly anticipated religious and secular Christmas stamps, the former featuring Master of the Castello Nativity’s Virgin and Child and the latter, images from Rolf Harder Christmas cards.

hyd_coilFlora and Fauna: Canada’s wildlife takes centre stage in two upcoming issues, as the showy hydrangea thrills fans of the Flower series [Issued March 1st; details here.] and new talent shines with the launch of a series on Official Birds. This time around, the cast features the Atlantic puffin (NL), the rock ptarmigan (NT), the sharp-tailed grouse (SK), the common raven (YT) and the great horned owl (AB).

Scary Stuff: The final offering in the Haunted Canada series comes to a (dead) end with frightful scenes from Nunavut’s Nahanni region and Prince Edward Island’s Holland Cove. Dino-philes will delight as the second wave of Dinos of Canada comes crashing in with Cypretherium coarctatum (SK), Acrotholous (AB), Atrociraptor marshalli (AB), Bathygnathus borealis (PEI) and the Comox Valley elasmosaur (BC).

Eye Candy: Spectacular images continue to grace the offerings in two ongoing stamp series. The fourth installation of Canadian Photography will take a loving look through the lenses of Michel Campeau, Lutz Dille, Angela Grauerholz, Byron Harmon, Alexander Henderson, Humphrey Lloyd Hime and Yousuf Karsh. [Issue April 13th] Some of Canada’s most treasured landscapes will appear in the latest issue on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Town Lunenburg (NS), SGang Gwaay (BC), the Rideau Canal (ON), the Landscape of Grand Pré (NS) and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (AB).

A Stamp that Soars: The stylized bird featured on this year’s annual Canada Post Community Foundation Stamp symbolizes hope for the youth who benefit from the programs supported, in part, by the proceeds earned from this semi-postal fundraising stamp.

“Our 2016 issues highlight historic moments, fantastic stories, and unique places,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “They take us all around the country and invite us back in time. They help make our stories come alive and, in so doing, help to define what being Canadian is all about.”

Canada Post’s Stamp Advisory Committee recommends the themes and designs for the annual stamp program. The committee is composed of individuals from across Canada who have diverse skills and subject-matter expertise, represent both English- and French-speaking populations, and reflect the country’s multicultural make-up. Canada Post’s Board of Directors review the committee’s recommendations to establish the final selections for each year.

Israel’s 2016 Stamp Program

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subject to alteration; first posted 11-November 2015

9-Feb
Ephraim KishonEphraim_Kishon_6 (shown on right)
Pioneering Women: Zelda and Nehama Pohatchevsky
Four Seasons – Winter
Joint issue with Greece – Ports
Turtles

19-Apr
Memorial Day 2016
Four Seasons – Spring
Israeli Achievements – Printing
“Knesset Building, Jerusalem – 50 Years”
Markets in Israel
Joint issue with Spain “The Bridge of Strings, Jerusalem”

21-Jun
rio“The 2016 Olympic Games, Rio”
WWI in Israel – Centennial (second part of a four year series)
Four Seasons – summer
Dogs serving humanity

13-Sep
Festivals 2016 – professions from Yom Kippur hymn
Four seasons – autumn
Fables
Joint issue with Bulgaria – migrating birds
Tribute to Israelis Wounded in War and Acts of Terrorism

November/December
Tourism in Jerusalem
King Solomon’s Ships
Coraciiformes (birds)
Mosaics
World Heritage Sites: caves

Hotchner: Get Uncomfortable

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Trying Something New — The Benefits of Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone
by John M. Hotchner

hotchnerStamp collecting is for most of us something that has grown to be distinctly within our comfort zone. That after all is its purpose, right? A refuge from the daily grind — A haven from the base of Maslow’s pyramid/hierarchy of needs, worrying about such things as breathing, food, water, employment security, the family, health, getting the roof fixed, etc.

And yet, comfort can be our enemy in the sense that sometimes, comfortable activities morph into dullness if they lack an element of challenge; and once you have filled 75% of the spaces in your album, and can’t afford much of what you are missing, the challenge tends to slip away.

At its most elemental, the answer to this is to simply start working on a new interest. A U.S. collector might delve into the Washington-Franklin series of 1908-1922, which has always seemed especially interesting with its multiple watermarks, perforations, die types, printing formats, etc. Or, another collector could venture into a specialized collection of space-related stamps: the errors and varieties, uses on cover, covers commemorating various events in the evolution of the space program, and more.

But there is another path. What I’d like to propose is that you consider stretching yourself — trying something that is perhaps counter-intuitive, something you recognize is a bit out of your comfort zone. In doing so, you can not only banish the dullness, but you can discover and exercise new skills that have lain dormant just waiting to be discovered. Mainly, as I will describe, this means going out into the multi-faceted world of philately and getting involved! Yes, it can be risky to do this. Not every one will agree with your opinions and ideas. Not everyone will take to the essential you, and you may trip over an occasional person you wish you had never met.

But the upside is that you will be challenged, and you will find new ways of enjoying your hobby and gaining from it. What am I talking about? Here is a short list:

  1. Join a local stamp club and enjoy the sharing of information about stamps and hobby resources with others; who, if they don’t collect precisely what you do, at least understand the challenges of finding new material, using a catalog and finding the right blank pages for your album. This also offers the chance of connecting with others who might become trading partners, and putting together group visits to nearby stamp shows, which most collectors find enjoyable once they have been introduced to the show scene.
  2. Serve. One step up from simply joining a club is to be active as a committee worker, chair, or even as an officer of the club. It is a truism that 5% of the club’s members do the work for all the rest to enjoy the benefits of the club. And the result is that there are never enough willing workers, and anyone who will help is welcomed with open arms. If you have never done anything like this before, not a problem. The jobs are manageable in scope, and allow for learning on the job; often from others who have had the job before. And this is one of those areas where you can exercise talents you didn’t know you had in a relatively low stress atmosphere.
  3. Club By Mail. If you would prefer to do your stamp clubbing by mail and Internet rather than in person, join a national society. We have listed the ones that cover U.S. subjects on page 18 of this issue, but you can find many more that cover virtually every facet of worldwide stamp and cover collecting by going to the American Philatelic Society’s website: www.stamps.org ? and finding the listing of affiliates. Incidentally, every stamp collector should be a Member of America’s Stamp Club, the APS. The benefits in collecting resources are huge, and the monthly magazine will inform and expand your horizons. National clubs also need willing workers and officers. Once you have become familiar with what the club’s services are, you too can be part of the activities.
  4. Be A Writer. Be it in a national publication like USSN or a society quarterly, or your stamp club’s newsletter, articles (be they short or long) about your special interests, your favorite finds, puzzles you are trying to solve, and lessons you have learned, are eagerly sought by editors. You don’t need to be a professional writer. Philatelic periodicals are low stress. Editors are oriented to help new writers put across their message(s), and are happy to work with you. And it is a wonderful way to connect with others who share your interests and have both material and information that will contribute to your enjoyment of the hobby.
  5. Be A Talker. If you are comfortable with public speaking, and you belong to a garden club, a church group, have kids in a school that welcomes parent participation, are a member of a professional group (doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, etc.), you can be an ambassador for our hobby by showing stamps that relate to their interests, with some points on the joys of the hobby from your experience.
  6. Do A Display. Public speaking may not be your thing, but you can still be an ambassador by putting a few pages from your album(s), or specially prepared pages, up in your local library, school, post office, law firm, or doctor’s office. The stamps you use can relate to the reason the office exists, or can match up with a current event, such as space exploration, elections, national garden month, or cancer awareness. The subjects are limitless. One page of your display can be used to tell viewers how to get involved with the hobby: when and where your local club meets, how to find the American Philatelic Society on the Internet, the dates and location of stamp shows in your area, etc.
  7. Try Exhibiting. This is not for everyone as there is no other stage in philately where you actually invite others to evaluate the work you have done; which is to create a philatelic story illustrated by stamps and/or covers. Because of the judging aspect it is often difficult to get people to realize that the hardest part is getting started. Once you have decided that exhibiting is something you can and would like to do, there are lots of resources, starting with the website of the target=”new”>American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors? Many of AAPE’s members like to work with newcomers to help them do their first exhibit, and seeing your efforts in an exhibit frame is a payoff that will give you a great deal of pleasure. And, if you prefer, you can opt for your exhibits to be non-competitive, so that you don’t even need to worry about the judging.

The point of all of this is that there are a great many ways to make the hobby more interesting. Some may involve moving out of your comfort zone, but the rewards can be immense in discovering new aspects of the hobby, new talents in yourself, and often, deep friendships with people with whom you have common interests. And in many of these activities you will also be helping to bring new stamp collectors into the fold; helping to assure the future of the hobby we all love.

Should you wish to comment on this column, or have questions or ideas you would like to have explored in a future column, please write to John Hotchner, VSC Contributor, P.O. Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125, or email, putting “VSC” in the subject line.

Or comment right here.

Season’s Greetings (Israel 2015)

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“December comes with best wishes for the Season’s Greetings and our festive ATM label direct from the Holy Land,” says Israel Post. isr_holidayWho knew? Israel issues such an ATM label every year for the winter holidays. I guess I hadn’t been paying attention!

Christmas (Canada, 2015)

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[press release

Christmas stamps feature historic nativity-themed painting and a trio of amusing animal portraits
can_xmas_souvOTTAWA – Canada Post combines whimsical holiday Canadiana with a traditional sacred Christmas image in this year’s holiday stamps offering. These beautifully designed stamps will add a special touch of holiday joy to cards and letters sent across the country and beyond.

can_xmas_domesticCharming close-ups of a moose, a beaver and a polar bear are each decked out in retro festive attire on these bold and amusing PermanentTM domestic, U.S.- and International-rate stamps.  Elements of clothing flowing beyond the edges of the stamp frame emphasize the stylish humour of these Canadiana cameos.

The fourth stamp, a Permanent domestic stamp, features an image from a nativity-themed painting by Adraen Isenbrandt entitled The Adoration of the Magi. The painting, from the early 16th century, can_xmas_madonnadepicts the moment when Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus behold the arrival of the Magi. The Wise Men can be seen in the background. The painting was photographed for the stamp by Denis Farley, and the image was made available courtesy of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The painting was part of a generous donation made to the museum by Michal and Renata Hornstein.

“The world’s first Christmas stamp was issued in Canada in 1898, and at Canada Post we value that tradition,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “The holiday stamps are the final issue in this year’s stamp program, and they are ever-popular.”

About the Christmas stamps:
can_xmas_intlChristmas – Animals: Designed by Paprika and illustrated by well-known painter, illustrator and artist Gérard DuBois, each of the 3 stamps measures 22 mm by 24 mm. The stamps are printed by Lowe-Martin in 5 colour lithography. The Permanent™ domestic stamps are available in booklets of 12 and the U.S. rate and International rate stamps are each available in booklets of 6. Souvenir sheets of all 3 stamps are available. The Official First Day Cover cancellation site is Christmas Island, N.S.

Christmas – Madonna and Child: can_xmas_usDesigned by Louise Méthé, this Permanent™ domestic stamp measures 26.25 mm by 32.25 mm. The stamp was printed by Canadian Bank Note in 6 colour lithography. It is available in booklets of 12. The Official First Day Cover cancellation site is Montréal, Que.

To purchase these stamps and other philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop

 

can_xmas_madonnafdccan_xmas_souvfdc

Britain’s 2016 Special Stamp Program

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7 Jan: Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition
17 Feb: Royal Mail 500
15 Mar: British Humanitarians
5 Apr: Shakespeare
21 Apr: HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday
17 May: Animail
21 June: First World War – 1916
7 July: Music Giants
28 July: Beatrix Potter
16 Aug: Landscape Gardens
2 Sept: The Great Fire of London
15 Sept: Agatha Christie
20 Oct: To be announced
8 Nov: Christmas

More details will be released the last week of 2015.

Theater and Entertainment Personalities (Israel 2015)

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Theater and Entertainment Personalities – Channa Marron, Sefi Rivlin
December 2015alon Theater

Channa Marron and Sefi Rivlin were two of the most prominent and iconic artists of the Israeli stage. Channa Marron, who was born in Berlin, was known mainly for classic theater while Sefi Rivlin, a native-born Israeli, was renowned for his comedic abilities. Each of these artists earned a place in the pantheon of Israeli culture.

Channa Marron 1923 – 2014
isr_marronChanna Marron, née Mayerzak, known as the first lady of Israeli theater, began her acting career at the age of four in her native Berlin. Hanne’le Mayerzak starred in over twenty plays (including the first theater production of Pünktchen und Anton by Erich Kästner), seven films (including M – the first sound film by Fritz Lang) and numerous radio plays. In 1933 she had to leave Germany. After two years in Paris, where she portrayed leading roles in a number of plays, Mayerzak-Marron finally settled in Tel-Aviv and was soon integrated into the local Hebrew-speaking theater.

Channa Marron studied at Habima acting studio until, in 1941, she left to join the British Army. Following two years of service in Cairo, she was recruited by ENSA into the Jewish Brigade’s entertainment troupe, in which she played a key and memorable role.

After WWII Ms. Marron joined the founders of the Cameri Theater and took part in the formation of the theater’s distinctive character. Marron performed in dozens of Cameri productions, and is especially remembered for her portrayal of key roles in classic dramatic plays first translated or performed in Hebrew (including major works by Shakespeare, Schiller, Ibsen, Chekhov, Seneca, Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Jean Anouilh, Beckett and Pinter) as well as classic plays by Israeli playwrights from Shamir, Alterman and Goldberg to Shulamit Lapid and finally Hanoch Levin.

In February 1970, while starring in a musical stage production of Hello Dolly, Marron was severely injured in a terrorist attack at Munich Airport. Her left leg was amputated in order to save her life. A mere one year later, Marron was back on the Cameri Theater stage as Medea in the play by Seneca. From the early 1980’s she began performing in other theaters, including Habima and Beer Sheva and also starred in the well known television series Krovim Krovim (Close Relatives). In addition to the many theater productions in which she took part, Marron also participated in seven Israeli films (directed by Avraham Hefner, Amos Gitai, Moshe Mizrahi), she was versed and involved in Hebrew poetry and devoted to its reading, and taught and directed at Beit Zvi School of Performing Arts and at Tel Aviv University. In 2000, Channa Marron was among the founders of the Herzliya Ensemble theater company, where she performed and also directed. Marron was active in political and civil organizations and initiatives promoting peace and coexistence in the region.

Channa Marron received many awards for her work in the theater and cinema, as well as her artistic endeavors, including the Israel Prize in 1973.

Thanks to Dr. Ofra Rechter, daughter of Channa Marron and Dor Wertheimer, Channa Marron Archive.

Sefi Rivlin 1947 – 2013
isr_rivlinYosef (Sefi) Rivlin was a versatile, respected and beloved actor and comedian, a virtuoso and one of Israel’s premier artists.

His diverse career spanned a wide range of roles in the theater, film, festivals, musicals, one-man shows, television series and more.

He was awarded the Israeli Television Academy Award and a Golden Mask Prize for lifetime achievement.

Sefi Rivlin studied acting at the Beit Zvi School for Performing Arts and belonged to the original Khan Theater troupe when it was founded in 1973. His first starring role was in Servant of Two Masters, for which he was nominated for a Kinor David Award.

He participated in many televisions series, first as a cast member on the satirical show Nikui Rosh and later Rega im Dodley, BaBayit shel Fistuk, HaTizmoret, Itche and more. Rivlin portrayed numerous film roles, including the leading role in HaShiga’on HaGadol.

Alongside his artistic success, Sefi volunteered for many years in his city of Rishon LeZion and was recognized by the city as an honored citizen. A social activist, he served on the city council and as a cultural advisor to the mayor. He worked to encourage reading, founded a club that conducted classes for adults and youths, volunteered with medical organizations and promoted the establishment of centers for art and the Hebrew language.

Sefi Rivlin was a bold comedic actor, exuding a charming and captivating kind of madness.

Gidi Marinsky, Israel Philatelic Service

Description of the Stamps and the First Day Covers:

Channa Marron
The stamp features a photographed portrait by Israel Haramaty and a photograph from the television series Krovim Krovim, courtesy of Israel Educational Television. The First Day Cover features a caricature by Zeev (Yaakov Farkash) from the Zeev Collection, the Israeli Cartoon Museum, Holon courtesy of his daughters Naomi Farkash- Fink and Dorit Farkash-Shuki.

Sefi Rivlin
The stamp features a photographed portrait by Raphael Ben Dor.

The stamp and tab feature photographs from the television series BaBayit shel Fistuk. The FDC bears an illustration by Zina Roitman of Sefi Rivlin based on a photograph of a scene from BaBayit shel Fistuk.

Photographs: courtesy of Israel Educational Television. theaterdetls

Pension Savings (Israel 2015)

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December 2015

alon PensionPension Savings is a comprehensive term for the provident and pension funds that ensure sufficient income after retirement. Most pension funds include a savings component and an insurance component that protects the client and his family in case of death or injury. The State of Israel decided to encourage pension savings by offering a significant tax benefit to employees.

Overall pension savings have increased from NIS 180 billion in 2001 to some NIS 600 billion in 2014. Thirty percent of pension savings are invested in designated government bonds, linked to CPI plus 4.8% interest. This growth significantly increased the inflow of funds to the Israeli stock market and has turned pension savings into a significant player in the Israeli capital market.

In 2003, the retirement age was raised in order to decrease government expenses and increase future pension payments. Today, pension fund clients are able to move their pension savings from one fund to another with no limitations.

Pension contributions have been mandatory for all employers and employees since 2008 – a step that added 1 million employees to the population of savers. Mandatory pension applies to all employees from age 21 for men and age 20 for women to retirement age.

In 2015, The Department of Capital Market, Insurance and Savings at the Ministry of Finance announced a planned reform in the pension savings market, which will include steps to reduce centralization and to increase competition, in view of the fact that the pension sector is the fastest growing sector in Israel’s financial market.

—Rony Halman
Founder, Israel Pension Association pensiondetls