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Warren Buffett says: More bad news on pension funds during next decade

2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum


Global Trends in Pensions & Investments
J. Fourlis International Life Group General Manager

April 2014
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Warren Buffett says: More bad news on pension funds during next decade

In his annual letter to Berkshire shareholders, Buffett said: "Local and state financial problems are accelerating, in large part because public entities promised pensions they couldn't afford
J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014
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Global Mapping - Pension Systems

In most of the OECD member countries, citizens that are above the retirement age receive public pension from the social security funds which are funded on a pay-asyou-go basis. Despite this public pension private pensions play an important role even in countries like France, Germany and Italy where traditionally the pension system is based on public expenditure.

In countries like the US, the UK and Switzerland, the biggest part of the pensions expenditure is covered by the private sector given that most of the employers have formed occupational pension schemes in order to provide pensions and related benefits.

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping - Pension Systems

Pension systems like the 401(k) and the IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) in the US, have been created in order for the employees to contribute from their disposable income, before or after tax, with the employer matching those contributions. Income and capital gains that are generated from the investments of those pension plans are tax exempt thus creating a significant competitive advantage if held for longer periods of time.

Occupational pension schemes in the UK were created according to the Pensions Act and operate in a similar manner.

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping - Pension Systems

Traditionally, employers offered to their employees participation in defined benefits occupational schemes where the employee following his/her retirement would receive a predetermined benefit (e.g. percentage of the last salary). C + I = B (contributions + investment earnings = benefits)

Most of the occupational schemes available are defined contributions schemes may also facilitate the mobility of the employees between employers.

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping - Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 - TowerWatson

At the end of 2013 pension assets for the 13 markets in the study were estimated at USD 31,980 bn, representing a 9.5% rise compared to the 2012 year-end value.

Pension assets relative to GDP reached 83.4% in 2013, which represents a 7.8% increase from 2012 ratio of 75.6%.

The largest pension markets are the US, UK and Japan with 59.0%, 10.2% and 10.1% of total pension assets in the study, respectively.

It is important to caveat the impact of the currency exchange rates when


measuring the growth of pension assets in USD, as in many cases the results vary significantly with those in local currency terms.

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping - Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 - TowerWatson

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping - Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 - TowerWatson


Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 Evolution 2003 -2013

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

Global Mapping - Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 - TowerWatson

Global pension assets vs. GDP in local currency

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Global Mapping - Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 - TowerWatson


Pension asset allocation Aggregate P7 asset allocation from 1995 to 2013

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Global Mapping - Global Pensions Assets Study 2014 - TowerWatson


Pension asset allocation P7 in 2013

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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European Institutional Marketplace


Strategic Asset Allocation by country

Mercer 2013 European Asset Allocation Survey J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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European Institutional Marketplace


Strategic Asset Allocation by Plan Size

Mercer 2013 European Asset Allocation Survey J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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European Institutional Marketplace

Changes in Strategic Asset Allocation by Plan Size

Mercer 2013 European Asset Allocation Survey J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Investments & Pensions Regulations in Europe

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Impact of New Regulations over Insurance


In terms of organization within the insurance company sector, a very likely effect of the new regulation could be: a progressive specialization of insurance companies based on product type; specifically a preference to supply those that were low risk and thus did not consume capital. In this regard, life insurance companies could also distance themselves from products offering long-term guarantees and instead offer those with returns that better reflect the changing conditions of the market (unrelated products, variable annuities). Simultaneously, there may be a hike in prices applied in order to increase available capital and transfer risk to the consumer

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Overall impact over the I&P industry Solvency II

Depending of risk situation of each company-country:

Transfer more risk to reinsurance companies or in the form of securitization.


Transfer more risk to clients and increase of fees. Greater use of derivatives for hedging purposes, interest rate swaps, particularly on

swaps and futures, inflation swaps and equity options.


Insurance companies will attempt to minimize the duration gap between assets and liabilities, since the risk associated with this gap must be covered by capital. In the present status quo long-term bonds issued by the governments of the EEA and

other countries with a high-credit rating are expected to be particularly favoured.

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Overall impact over the I&P industry Solvency II


Businesses with commitments to a return on the investment of various products may need to find higher-yield assets (thus with a greater risk and greater capital consumption). Gradual disappearance of DB pensions funds, as companies cease offering DB plans in favour of the DCs, considering that the latter are risk-free products

for the company and do not generate capital consumption.


Longevity risk hedging and a low-interest rate scenario are pushing up the price of pensioners life annuity, which is a problem for the system if it wants to provide sufficient and adequate pensions. In a low-interest rate scenario, DC pension funds accumulate fewer assets, which may reduce the attractiveness of these kinds of savings with respect to others (e.g. real estate assets) as a means of ensuring retirement funds.

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Target Date Retirement Funds

Tactical and strategic asset allocation management Flexibility to change as environment changes Volatility managed Can be customized to reflect clients best investment ideas Open architecture

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Target Date Retirement Funds - Glidepath

J Fourlis Fleming Europe 2nd Annual Life Insurance Forum - April 2014

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Investment Advantages for Members

Clear investment objective, run to a retirement window Professional asset management Active asset management Volatility management Updated to take account of changing: Investment environment

New investment ideas


Member retirement patterns and needs

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2013 Greek Retirees

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John Fourlis

John Fourlis
International Life Group General Manager Mr. John Fourlis is the Group General Manager at International Life. John has 25 years of experience in the field of Financial Services, he has served, among others, as Regional Development Director of Zurich Financial Services Group in Asia, Vice President of AIA (ex AIG company), Executive Director of Alpha Trust Investment Services SA, Board Member of Taylor Young Investment Management Ltd., Marketing Director of Schweiz Group (ex Swiss Re company), Member of the Board and Fund Manager of Schweiz Fund MFMC. He holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration (BSc.) and a Masters degree in the field of International Business Administration (MIBA) from Alliant International University in San Diego, USA.

Contact Details Email: Jfourlis@inlife.gr

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