This put the two nations way ahead of the average score of 60.5 and, of course, of the last placed nation, Argentina, which scored only 39.2.
David Knox, who authored the Mercer report said it highlighted the difficulty in finding a balance between “what you offer and how long you can offer it”.
This is certainly true of most nations’ mainstream private pensions, with many predicting that they will struggle to maintain the balance over the long-term in the face of ageing populations and other economic pressures.
Italy, Austria and Spain — all of which scored high for adequacy but low for sustainability – are among the nations most likely to feel the pressure soon.
The study defined “adequacy” as being based on the level of tax flexibility, benefits, growth assets, system design and savings provided by a pension. “Sustainability” was defined on the basis of factors such as coverage, contributions, growth and debt. “Integrity” was defined on the basis of measures including regulation, costs, governance, protection and communication.
And this is not the first time that the Netherlands has topped the list – it ranked no. 1 seven years ago.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index is published by the Australian Centre for Financial Studies in collaboration with Mercer and the State Government of Victoria. The UK’s pension system was ranked in 15th place.
Blacktower, For Help with Your Expat Pension Planning
Blacktower Financial Management provides specialist expat pension advice from its offices across Europe, including the Netherlands and Denmark.
Our service is based on expertise, strong relationships, broad and forensic knowledge of the market and a close understanding of our clients and their investment objectives. For more information about how we can help you successfully manage your wealth and expat pensions, contact us today.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
This time we look at what the central bank of France’s latest predictions may signal for the country’s economy and President Macron’s reactions to the latest pension protests.
Generally speaking, saving money and planning for your future are two key aspects of financial planning. So, getting this right as early as possible should be one of your main priorities, to ensure that there are no nasty surprises down the line. There are a multitude of reasons that you might choose to put money aside, such as for a “rainy day fund”, a house purchase, your children’s education or making sure that you can retire comfortably.