Latest from IPE Magazine – Page 391
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Opinion Pieces
A private equity rethink
At the end of a tumultuous decade, US public pension funds are re-evaluating their relationship with private equity firms. Disappointing returns, high fees and a number of scandals are pushing pension fund managers either to quit investing in this asset class or to take more control themselves. But no solution ...
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Opinion Pieces
EIOPA: Mixed feelings
The new European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) opens its doors in 2011 with the prospect of greatly increased powers and a fivefold increase in staff in due course. EIOPA replaces the existing Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pension (CEIOPS), which is one of the three ‘level three’ ...
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FeaturesPortugal: The private sector problem
Reforms to public sector pensions have not been matched by measures to encourage private saving, writes Jim Robinson
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FeaturesSpain: Ill-prepared for austerity
Bloated and unsustainable public provision has stifled private pensions while political wrangling and the pressure for austerity is hampering reform efforts, writes Jim Robinson
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FeaturesBelgium: wait and see
Martin Delaney finds the Belgian pension fund industry waiting to find out if a new coalition government, when it is formed, will have the will to take bold decisions on retirement age
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FeaturesAustria: still searching for the way ahead
Negotiations on the next stage of Austria's pension reform have produced consensus on some points and a pile of wish-lists for further discussion, reports Barbara Ottawa
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FeaturesDenmark: Preparing for Solvency II
Gearing up for Solvency II and winding down crisis measures are exercising Danish government and pensions groups, writes Nina Roerhbein
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FeaturesCEE: political changes add to uncertainty on pensions reform
Thomas Escritt looks at recent developments in the pensions systems of some of the regionís major economies
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FeaturesFrance: Retirement age is main target for reform
Nina Roehrbein finds the French government rejecting structural change to the pensions system in favour of modifying parameters such as retirement age and length of service
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FeaturesFinland: Stalling negotiations put reforms in gridlock
Government working groups and unions clashed over plans to increase retirement age, but legislation is on the way to improve risk management and solvency, writes Pirkko Juntunen
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FeaturesGermany: Stability heralds change
Weathering the financial crisis with only one major pension-related insolvency does not mean Germany sat still, with regulatory changes coming from inside and out, writes Jonathan Williams
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FeaturesItaly: Second pillar at a stalemate
While second-pillar reforms were stalled by the financial crisis, the resulting austerity is driving changes to first-pillar provision, writes Nina Roerhbein
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FeaturesIreland: Correcting the balance
Martin Delaney finds Ireland moving to relieve the burden created by an ageing working population and a faltering economy
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FeaturesIceland: Post-eruption controls remain in place
Pension funds remain in a precarious situation, prevented from investing abroad by controls brought in at the height of the 2008 financial crisis, reports Nina Roerhrbein
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FeaturesNorway: Reform of state scheme sets the pace for change
Pirkko Juntunen finds that increased flexibility and working for longer are on the cards
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FeaturesSweden: Pushing for simplicity
A new pensions agency and an overhaul of the AP7 default option aim for greater transparency and accessiblity, writes Pirkko Juntunen
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FeaturesUK: All change
Following the market recovery, the UK has a new government eager to implement change and a pensions regulator keen to protect scheme members, finds Jonathan Williams
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FeaturesSwitzerland: Second pillar in transition
New investment rules are being implemented, the supervisory structure is up for reform and the financial crisis prompted an investigation into admin costs, writes Barbara Ottawa
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Features
Europe and pensions on a world stage
EFRP secretary general Chris Verhaegen explains the importance of the growing debate on how far Europe can and should go on driving pensions reform
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Features
Legal battle with Henderson on cards
The dispute between a group of 30 pensions funds and Henderson over the management of two private finance initiative (PFI) funds is a salutary reminder of the need for pension funds and their advisers to minutely scrutinise complex investment agreements. PFI was developed in the UK in the 1990s as ...
