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The Global Pensions Landscape

The global pensions landscape continues to evolve with increasing complexity and sophistication. From the themes of consolidation to private markets investing, the pensions landscape is presented with opportunities and challenges.

Mark Austin, Pensions and Insurance Executive, EMEA, and Chair of the UK Defined Contribution Investment Forum (DCIF) (2024), co-hosted a podcast series with Louise Farrand, Executive Director of DCIF, where they talked to international policymakers and pension experts about their pension systems. What are the challenges? What would they change about it? More importantly, what are the learning lessons for the UK. 

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    Navigate to Episode 1: Diane Maxwell, Former Retirement Commissioner for New Zealand
    Podcast Series

    Episode 1: Diane Maxwell, Former Retirement Commissioner for New Zealand

    Insights on the New Zealand’s pension system, the importance of consumer engagement, the crucial differences between the UK and the New Zealand’s tax systems, and the key lessons Diane would pass on to UK policymakers.

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    Navigate to Episode 2: Paul Watson, Former Group Executive of Hostplus
    Podcast Series

    Episode 2: Paul Watson, Former Group Executive of Hostplus

    Insights on the Australian superannuation system, how it compares with the UK’s DC system, the debate on the value for money, and the advice Paul would offer to UK policymakers as the UK Pensions Investment Review moves forward.

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    Navigate to Episode 3: Jerry Moriarty, Former CEO of the Irish Association of Pension Funds
    Podcast Series

    Episode 3: Jerry Moriarty, Former CEO of the Irish Association of Pension Funds

    Insights on the evolution of the pension system in Ireland, its auto-enrolment journey, the similarities and differences between the Irish and UK pension systems.

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    Navigate to Episode 4: Professor Hans van Meerten, a lawyer and academic specialising in EU and Dutch pensions law
    Podcast Series

    Episode 4: Professor Hans van Meerten, a lawyer and academic specialising in EU and Dutch pensions law

    Insights on the Dutch pension reform and Hans’ views on Collective DC schemes (CDC). Hans also shared some insights on the development of the pension system in China.

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    Navigate to Episode 5: Steve Webb, Former UK Pensions Minister
    Podcast Series

    Episode 5: Steve Webb, Former UK Pensions Minister

    Insights on how some of the pension changes Steve championed and introduced when he was in government have evolved in the UK pension landscape today. Steve also thinks the idea of ‘flex first, fix later’ is gaining recognition in the market.

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    Navigate to Episode 6: Mark Iwry, pension expert
    Podcast Series

    Episode 6: Mark Iwry, pension expert

    Insights into the auto-enrolment journey in the U.S. and Mark’s overriding goal of encouraging employee participation. Mark also talked about the work he did in helping employers to shape their investment strategies and the wider DC system.

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    Navigate to Episode 7: Mats Langensjö, Swedish Financial Consultant
    Podcast Series

    Episode 7: Mats Langensjö, Swedish Financial Consultant

    Insight into the Swedish pension system, the role of the AP funds and the importance of having oversight and due diligence on manager selection with the new Fund Selection Agency.

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    Navigate to Episode 8: Keith Ambachtsheer, a global leader in pension design, governance and institutional investing
    Podcast Series

    Episode 8: Keith Ambachtsheer, a global leader in pension design, governance and institutional investing

    Insights into the Canadian pension system, the characteristics of a well thought of pension system, the member journey and engagement. Keith also looked at other international systems and their key drivers of success.

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    Navigate to Episode 9: Bjorn Asgrimsson, analyst at Iceland’s Financial Supervisory Authority
    Podcast Series

    Episode 9: Bjorn Asgrimsson, analyst at Iceland’s Financial Supervisory Authority

    Insights into the pension systems in Iceland, its evolution and journey to being ranked second place in the 2024 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index.

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    Navigate to Bonus episode: Gareth Turner, Head of Strategic Investment Projects at Nest pensions
    Podcast Series

    Bonus episode: Gareth Turner, Head of Strategic Investment Projects at Nest pensions

    Gareth talked through Nest’s new retirement proposition – the Retirement Blueprint, which is structured to give members flexibility during early years and certainty in later years using an innovative mix of funds and insured products.

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    Navigate to Episode 11: Lessons from international speakers
    Podcast Series

    Episode 11: Lessons from international speakers

    Highlights from the series on how different countries are tackling common challenges and the key takeaways.