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Pensions research
In 2006, ACCA's research committee instigated an international call for research proposals that would investigate some of the challenges involved in this wide-ranging and multi-faceted issue.
The developed world's ageing population and its shrinking workforce together threaten a growing pensions crisis, which has become an important focus for public policy. Although reforms of retirement systems are a key item on economic policy agendas around the world, many issues surrounding this complex problem remain opaque and are not properly understood.
Internationally, there is a high degree of uncertainty, both in the private sector and in the state systems underpinning them. Despite the introduction of defined benefit guarantee schemes in many countries, the pensions industry has much to do if it is to regain the confidence of consumers and employers globally. Action is needed to achieve consensus around the world among industry, governments and private sector organisations for long-term, sustainable solutions.
There is no doubt about the need for informed, evidenced-based decision-making in the pensions arena. With applications received from around the world, ACCA's research call was a great success.
The studies commissioned by ACCA's research committee fall under four headings:
- Pensions and capital markets
- Reporting pension liabilities
- Pensions and SMEs
- Pensions and the impact on employee mobility