Denmark's Danica reports 9.2% H1 return for medium-risk pension customers

A Danica customer with medium risk and 20 years to retirement received a return of 9.2 per cent in the first six months (H1) of 2026, up from 0.8 per cent in H1 2025, the Danish pension provider's interim results have revealed.

Customers with Danica’s Traditional Pension also saw an increase in returns between H1 2025 and 2026, with the product returning 2.5 per cent to customers in 2026, up from 1.1 per cent in 2025.
 
However, the return for customers after the change in additional provisions to Danica’s Traditional Pension saw a slight fall from 2.8 per cent in H1 2025 to 2.7 per cent in H1 2026.

Overall, Danica reported that its total pension assets increased from DKK 487bn in H1 2025 to DKK 551bn in H1 2026.

Commenting on the results, Danica chief executive officer, Mads Kaagaard, said: “A typical customer has received more than 9 per cent in return in the first half of the year. This is significantly more than you can normally expect in a whole year. And this has happened at a time when the financial markets have moved with large fluctuations.”

In the first half of the year, Danica delivered pension returns that were among the best in the market across all its customer groups.

This development coincides with the pension company’s completion of the adjustment to the investment strategy for its most widely used pension product, Danica Balance. Danica said that the changes have already contributed positively towards customers’ returns in the second quarter.

Kaagaard added that he is “very pleased” that Danica’s returns are among the highest of the major commercial pension companies, and that its adjustments to Danica Balance have “already created clear value for customers”.

The results also showed that Danica’s profit before tax rose from DKK 714m in H1 2025 to DKK 851m in H1 2026, an increase of 19 per cent.

Meanwhile, the provider's core business saw total payments increase to DKK 28.1bn in H1 2026, up from DKK 25.5bn in the same period last year, corresponding to a growth of 10 per cent.

The results also highlighted that Danica has continued to attract new customers in a market characterised by high activity and fierce competition.

In particular, the provider highlighted its collaboration with Danske Bank as a driving force in this respect, due to an increasing number of customers preferring a comprehensive solution that includes banking, pension, health and advice from one financial partner.

“I am satisfied with the results for the first half of the year, and when we also see a positive development across the business, it tells me that we are on the right track,” Kaagaard commented.

“This gives us a solid foundation for continuing this development and building on the progress we have made in recent years.”



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