Latest from IPE Magazine – Page 542
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Features
Swiss in 2% rate plea
Pension fund association ASIP has urged the government to lower the guaranteed return on pension contributions, insisting that the move is critical to improving the financial health of its members. Earlier this year, the Swiss government decided to leave the rate in question at 2.5%. “An adjustment to the ...
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Features
The poisoned chalice?
Germany’s got a new minister responsible for pensions – which is interesting for two reasons. First is the scale of the problem, then there is the minister himself. Out of the turmoil of the election and the horse-trading behind the grand coalition, the SPD’s Franz Muentefering has emerged in the ...
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Features
Markets on the move
Swedish pension funds are in a state of culture shock as they get to grips with two new major pieces of legislation. All will have to raise their game as the occupational pensions directive opens up a veritable smorgasbord of investment choice but in return demands prudence. Meanwhile, the authorities ...
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Features
Don't look back
The Finnish pension system is still over-regulated and not structured in way that meets the long-term interests of pension funds. Lobbying has had some impact but as yet this is insufficient . It appears that the market has yet to convince its regulator that the idea that taking a forward-looking ...
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Features
Northern lights
Norway’s long-awaited pension reform allowing defined contribution (DC) schemes will come into effect next year. Among the main provisions is that all employers with two or more employees will have to provide some type of pension plan for their staff. This will bring 600,000 new pension savers onto the market. ...
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Features
Iceland casts eye abroad
The Icelandic pension fund sector is undergoing parallel developments that are having a direct impact on the management of its assets. The first is an ongoing process of consolidation, which has gradually reduced the number of pension funds from an original 100 to a current 48 and which is anticipated ...
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Features
Shift to global markets
The global custody and services agreement between Nordea and Bank of New York, announced in August this year, signifies a wider trend in the Nordic region, away from domestic banks and towards the international global custodians. Under the agreement, which covers around €240bn of assets (about half of Nordea’s total ...
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Features
Long life complications
The cost of any promise to provide someone with an annual pension for life depends on how long that person lives. Improvements in mortality have meant that people are living far longer than was anticipated. In the past 40 years, life expectancy at age 65 has increased on average by ...
