German and British citizens clash over future of state pension
German and British citizens have clashed over the future of the state pension in their respective countries, research by the University of Kent has revealed
Industriens Pension invests in housing project in Denmark
The Danish pension fund Industriens Pension has invested over DKK 500m (€67m) in building 190 flats for rental in Aarhus
Swedish govt funds move to more sustainable investments
Sweden’s national pension funds AP1, AP2, AP3 and AP4 are improving their commitment to responsible investment and ownership following a change to the AP fund Act on 1 January 2019
Danish funds minimised 2018 losses with property investments
JØP and DIP returned negative 1.6 per cent in 2018 and were saved by its real estate investments, the Danish pension funds said in a statement
Italy approves flagship welfare and pensions reforms
The Italian government has approved reforms to overhaul the country’s welfare state, changing the pension system following the election pledges of the 5-Star Movement and the right-wing League, Reuters said
Norway’s govt pension fund excludes three companies
Norges Bank has decided to exclude two companies from future investments due to unacceptable risk of human rights violations and product-based coal criterion
Labourers in Danish unions are saving more for retirement
Unionised labourers and workers in the food industry have grown their pension assets over the past years, with workers in their 50s on average have accrued more than DKK 1m according to Industriens Pension
Danish fund PFA builds student housing
The Danish pension fund PFA has decided to build housing for students with sea views in Aalborg, following an extensive 2017 decision to invest in student accommodation, the fund said
Swedish AP4 divests from nuclear weapons and oil sands
The Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP4) is increasing its sustainability ambitions through divesting from nuclear weapons and oil sands
Danish pension provider and insurer partner up to strengthen offerings
Danish pension provider Velliv and insurer Codan have entered a strategic partnership to strengthen both businesses’ future distribution of pensions and insurance services
Struggling to fly
Despite its current top billing in the world’s pensions rankings, the Dutch pension industry is facing challenges and calls to ‘futureproof’ the system. The difficulty is determining how this should be achieved. Elizabeth Pfeuti finds out more
Beyond the UK: Master trusts in Europe
As master trusts have risen from obscurity to become the DC vehicle of choice in the UK, David Adams asks where else in Europe this form of pension provision is – or could be – an attractive option for employers
Tackling climate change
With recent warnings that we have just 12 years to limit climate change damage, European pension funds have stepped up to the challenge. So, what have been the most recent developments in pension funds’ efforts in this area?
CBBA-Europe: Fighting for fairness
One year on since the launch of the Cross Border Benefits AllianceEurope
(CBBA-Europe), we meet Dr. Francesco Briganti, secretary general of the alliance, to hear how the association is making waves in the cross-border space
EMD roundtable: Seeking out opportunities
Our panel of experts explores the best opportunities for European pension funds to invest in this dynamic market
All that glitters
With many appealing reforms on the horizon for Irish pensions, Theo Andrew takes a look at the proposal that shines brighter than the rest. As the country prepares itself for the implementation of automatic enrolment, what else lies at the end of the rainbow?
Challenges ahead
Elizabeth Pfeuti speaks to Stichting Nedlloyd Pensioenfonds’ head of finance, control and risk, Randy Caenen, about the issues facing the Dutch pensions sector and how they impact upon the Nedlloyd scheme
Europe’s social protection
The tumultuous situation in the European Union, led by political issues such as Brexit, populism and austerity, on top of changing regulations and reforms in the financial industry, has led to an increasing pressure on associations
to speak up. Sunniva Kolostyak sat down with AEIP’s permanent representative Aleksandra Kaydzhiyska and policy adviser on pension and financial affairs Christos Louvaris Fasois to navigate through the biggest pension issues for the EU’s member states
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?
Race against time
Pension systems across Europe are not prepared to deliver adequate
retirement benefits. But is there enough time to fix the problem?
Multi-asset strategies: Take your pick
Multi-asset investment funds are emerging as an increasingly popular investment strategy, with market products now available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Andrew Williams explores how take-up of the strategy varies across Europe
A smart move
From buy-ins and buyouts to longevity swaps and cashflow-driven investments, European pension schemes are becoming more innovative – finds Graham Buck
