However, it’s not all doom and gloom as our Focus On Pensions explored. Fausto Parente, Executive Director of EIOPA, took the time to share some key initiatives on a European level that are being explored in order to build stronger pensions. He highlighted some vital aspects, including the critical need for better information in order to tackle the pensions gap, the role that occupational pension plans can play, as well as touching on the importance of the PEPP. He closed with a message that was built upon by the panel at a later stage, noting that “it’s a long journey before we achieve strong pensions in Europe, but the positive news is that we have started and that we are on the right track.”
Our panel comprised of key experts in the European pensions sphere, including Bernard Delbecque, Senior Director for Economics and Research at EFAMA, Christian Lemaire, Global Head of Retirement Solutions at Amundi, and Martin Parkes, Managing Director of the Global Public Policy Group at BlackRock. The panel, which was moderated by Claude Kremer, Founding Partner of Arendt & Medernach, delved into some of the key challenges that still face the PEPP, including the 1% fee cap and taxation, however they also pointed out that the PEPP is a long-term investment into Europe and its citizens and that it will be critical for strengthening the third-pillar.
If you weren’t able to catch the livestream, the replay is available here.