Overview:
A new retirement savings option is now available in Palau. Guam-based ASC Trust has opened its first office in Koror, offering employer-sponsored 401(k)-style retirement plans as organizations look for additional ways to help employees prepare for retirement.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (July 23, 2026) — ASC Trust, a Guam-based retirement plan management company, officially opened its Palau office on Thursday, expanding access to employer-sponsored retirement savings plans for businesses and organizations in the country.
The new office is located on the second floor of the Roman Tmetuchl Building, above Bank of Guam.
ASC Trust specializes in retirement plan management throughout Micronesia, offering employer-sponsored retirement savings programs, including 401(k)-style plans. These defined-contribution plans allow employees to build retirement savings through regular payroll contributions, often with matching contributions from employers.
Several businesses and agencies in Palau have already enrolled with ASC Trust or offer similar employer-sponsored retirement savings programs.
The Palau Conservation Society is among the organizations participating in the program.
“Our employees are very happy with it. Some have increased their contributions,” said Elbuchel Sadang, executive director of the Palau Conservation Society.
Palau currently operates two primary public retirement systems. The Palau Social Security Administration provides retirement benefits for employees in both the public and private sectors, while the Palau Civil Service Pension Plan covers government employees.
Both public retirement systems operate under a defined-benefit model, in which retirement payments are determined by a formula rather than individual employee contributions. However, both systems face significant unfunded liabilities, raising concerns about their long-term financial sustainability and their ability to fully meet future retirement benefit obligations.
The opening of ASC Trust’s Palau office adds another retirement savings option for employers seeking defined-contribution plans that allow employees to build individual retirement accounts through workplace contributions.
