AP1 surpasses long-term goals, returning 9.7% in H1
The Swedish national pension fund AP1 has returned SEK 31.4bn (€3bn) in the first half of 2019, surpassing the long-term goal of returning 4.0 per cent over the past 10 years
PGGM increases interest in offshore windfarm
Dutch pensions asset manager PGGM has increased its interest in offshore windfarm Walney Offshore Windfarms, acquiring a further 9.9 per cent stake
Danica Pension sees highest half-year result since 2005
Danske Bank’s pension provider Danica Pension has reported a pre-tax profit of DKK 766m over the first six months of 2019, with customers seeing the highest half-year returns since the introduction of unit-linked products in 2005
Low interest rates put pressure on Dutch pension agreement
Dutch pension funds are seeing their funding ratios drop due to falling interest rates, threatening the recent pension agreement as it could mean a reduction of people’s retirement savings
PensionDanmark rejoins PRI
Danish pension fund PensionDanmark has rejoined the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) as a signatory after leaving in 2013
Irish Life drops out of property group acquisition race
Ireland’s largest life and pension group, Irish Life, has exited the competition to acquire the Dublin-listed property group Green Reit, according to The Irish Times
PFA invests €180m in Dutch green bonds
Danish PFA Pension has decided to invest €180m, or DKK 1.3bn, in green bonds issued by the Dutch government, in order to help the Netherlands achieve its climate goals
Swedbank DB scheme hit by market rates
Swedbank has seen its defined benefit pension obligations impacted by market rates, contributing to the decision to cut the dividend policy from 75 to 50 per cent
Russian govt pension fund official admits bribery
A deputy head of the Russian Federation’s national pension fund (PFR) has handed in his resignation and admitted to taking a bribe, according to prison watchdog Moscow Public Monitoring Commission
APG reduces equities’ carbon footprint by 28% in 2018
Dutch pensions asset manager APG has reduced the carbon footprint of its equity portfolio by 28 per cent and increased investments in companies contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with €13.9bn in 2018
A volatile ride
Despite a buoyant 2017 for emerging markets, last year saw the sector underwhelm. Sandra Haurant explores why this occurred and whether its fortunes will change for 2019
Seas of possibilities
Sunniva Kolostyak explores the elements of cross-border pension funds and the challenges that need to be overcome to create better solutions across European
state borders
Putting ESG on the bloc
With the European Union making plans to position itself at the centre of the sustainable finance revolution, Elizabeth Pfeuti looks at which countries are the leaders and laggards of ESG investing across Europe, and beyond
Tailor-made
A drift towards personalisation may result in very different second pillar provision in the future
All smoke, no fire
German politicians have spent much of the past 20 years trying to improve the coverage and sustainability of the country’s pensions system. David Adams
reports on the latest attempts at and suggestions for reform
EMD roundtable: Seeking out opportunities
Our panel of experts explores the best opportunities for European pension funds to invest in this dynamic market
Getting flexible
The linear career path that ends in a cliff-edge retirement is going the same
way as the dodo. But are governments, employers and savers getting ready for
a new age of flexible retirement quickly enough?
Pushing for change
As the representative of occupational pension schemes in Switzerland, ASIP stands in the middle of a welfare system in transition. Sunniva Kolostyak talks to the association’s scientific assistant Michael Lauener about reforms, lawmaking and the origins of pensions
Here to stay
Ophélie Mortier explains how sustainable investments will continue to make their mark in 2019
A commitment to leading
Sunniva Kolostyak speaks to KLP’s CFO Aage Schaanning about new regulations for public-sector occupational pensions, interacting with its members and its dedication to creating a sustainable economy and society
Pensions in 2019
With new legislations, investment themes and opportunities, Sunniva Kolostyak takes a look at what 2019 will bring for the pensions industry in Europe
Stepping stones
Young people want to know that their retirement savings are invested in an ethical manner and that their funds are making a difference. How can pension funds make their shareholder activism work effectively, and how can they promote these efforts to members?
