2014 OECD/IOPS Global Forum on Private Pensions

Improving the role of saving for retirement

2-3 October 2014, Swakopmund, Namibia

The Global Forum focused on topics that have been identified as priority areas for pension reform by both the Namibian government and within the programme of work of the OECD and the IOPS.

Session 1: Examination of the on-going pension reform process in the African continent. Discussion of the major opportunities and challenges for development of more efficient and inclusive private pension system. Special attention will be devoted to innovative approaches aimed to extend pension coverage in the formal and informal sectors.

Session 2: Drawing on an OECD research project, discussions will assess the existing tax and financial incentives that affect savings in complementary private pensions. A number of IOPS countries will offer their experiences in the area.

Session 3: Debate the critical issue of the role of pension funds in long-term investment financing and capital market development. The key findings of the on-going G20/OECD project on Institutional Investors and Long-Term Investment will be presented and the special attention will be given to the policy measures taken (or under consideration) for mobilising sources (assets of pension funds) to finance major investment projects – infrastructure and other real assets in the African continent.

Session 4: Public authorities’ approaches to defining target retirement income, setting up regulations and the development of supervisory processes and mechanisms to oversee and ensure the achievement of the future targeted retirement income.

Session 5: Fees and charges in private pension funds. Review of policies and regulatory approaches taken in a number of the OECD/IOPS countries.

The Global Forum brought together high-level officials from regulatory and supervisory authorities, leading experts from the pension fund industry and research institutes from both OECD and IOPS countries, as well as participants from the African region. Representatives from international organisations, including the World Bank also participated.