EU: Pensions and Investment News and Analysis
Latest news and analysis of pensions, asset management, regulation and trends in the European Union from our award-winning journalists.
Von der Leyen moves forward with competitiveness agenda as commissioner candidates revealed
Announcement follows last week’s Mario Draghi’s report which came with 172 policy proposals and recommendations
No VAT for Dutch DB funds if benefits depend on returns, rules ECJ
The European Court of Justice referred the case back to a lower Dutch court
Major investors urge companies to tackle nature-related inaction
Swedbank Robur Fonder AB, BVK, P+ and Velliv are among the 26 institutions signing a statement issued by the World Benchmarking Alliance
France Country Report
French workplace pensions grow as reform controversy recedes
Macron’s controversial pension reforms look likely to survive, at least for now, and despite the political turmoil of the recent elections
Germany & Austria Country Report
Germany Country Report 2024: Unions take a more active role in pensions
Unions have a new role in determining the shape of occupational pensions but are mindful of their duty to protect workers
Ireland Country Report
Ireland country report 2024: A no-nonsense consolidation approach
Ireland’s bid to reduce the number of single-member DC pension funds is succeeding but is not without teething troubles
Italy Country Report
Italy Country Report 2024: How local pensions could support the economy
The Italian pension industry and policymakers are discussing ways to channel more pension investment towards the country’s business sector
Netherlands Country Report
Netherlands Country Report 2024: The pension transition dilemma
Dutch pension funds must tread a fine line between protecting funding levels and ensuring sufficient returns as they move to defined contribution
Spain & Portugal Country Report
Spanish pensions report 2023: funds ride a wave of uncertainty
Diversification remains a key tool in pension fund portfolios
Investment strategy: how one Dutch pension fund democratised its ESG process
Pensioenfonds Detailhandel’s groundbreaking attempt to democratise its investment process is just one development in this growing trend
Italy: Policymakers focus on first pillar
Despite recent growth, second-pillar pensions have never been a priority for the Italian government
Investors encouraged to push proxy advisers on climate issues
Investor group statement comes a year after the group urged the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) to step up on climate proxy voting advice.
IIGCC urges FRC to clarify climate engagement position
The IIGCC has warned the FRC’s changes to the Code risks framing collaborative engagement and escalation as “tools of last resort”.
Morningstar proxy season analysis: ESG shareholder resolution growth primarily driven by ‘anti-ESG’ proponents
Overall support for ESG proposals stayed flat in 2024 at 23%, with a marked rise in anti-ESG resolutions.
Viewpoint: How EU policymakers can help plug Europe’s pension gaps
Petra Hielkema, EIOPA’s chair, sets out how the authority and EU policymakers can build an ecosystem capable of plugging the substantial pension gaps Europe is facing
NGOs announce ‘independent, science-backed’ taxonomy to raise EU game
New platform ‘not intended as critique of EU taxonomy’
EC official dismisses concerns about CSRD materiality assessments
Sven Gentner was speaking on a panel at IPE’s recent Transition conference
CFA Institute study finds ‘worrying’ views on EU ESG regulatory framework
The study found a range of challenges facing EU investors around ESG disclosures, which the CFA said regulators should pay attention to.
Bigger Irish presence as EIOPA names OPSG members for new term
New faces also include Dijana Bojceta Markoja, from the Association of Pension Funds and Insurance Companies in Croatia
Copyright © 1997–2024 IPE International Publishers Limited, Registered in England, Reg No. 3233596, VAT No. 685 1784 92. Registered Office: 1 Kentish Buildings, 125 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NP