Danish pension scheme sees reduced participation, American company accuses Novo Nordisk of anticompetitive practices, and record pension contributions precede tax reform.

The “Arne pension,” a key social initiative in Denmark, is experiencing a significant drop in projected participation. New figures from the Ministry of Finance indicate that only 6,800 individuals are expected to utilize the scheme by 2030, a sharp decrease from the 13,100 projected in February. This is a considerable deviation from initial expectations when the “Arne pension” was established, which anticipated 32,300 participants by 2024. Despite these figures, Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen maintains that the scheme remains a success, emphasizing its benefit to the current 12,000 participants and the value of the option for those who have yet to use it.

In the United States, the digital health service Hims & Hers is publicly criticizing Novo Nordisk following the termination of their collaboration. Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Dudum accused Novo Nordisk of misleading the public after the pharmaceutical company ended their partnership, citing concerns over illegal sales of Wegovy and misleading marketing practices. Dudum refutes these claims, asserting that Novo Nordisk pressured Hims & Hers to prioritize Wegovy prescriptions even when other medications might be more suitable for patients. The cancellation of the agreement led to a 35 percent drop in Hims & Hers stock value.

Danish citizens have invested a record DKK 87 billion in pension schemes over the past six months, driven by an impending tax reform. The surge in pension contributions during the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 is attributed to changes in the top-top tax reform. The reform will reduce deductions for high-income earners, incentivizing individuals to maximize their pension savings before the new regulations take effect.