Pension funds: fewer benefitcuts through improvedinvestment performance

Returns on the investment of pension assets have to date been the most important contributor to our retirement capital. Notwithstanding, this fact has as yet not been taken into consideration in the political debate. It is becoming apparent, however, that in future, it will not be possible to achieve the current target returns. There is therefore a threat of funding shortfalls and cuts to benefits in the pension system. In order to avert such an outcome, pension funds must adjust their asset allocation in line with the changed investment environment and tap additional sources of returns. The study presented today illustrates a number of measures for optimising returns, for example the greater utilisation of non-traditional investments and a necessary realignment of the OOB2 investment guidelines. The competent authorities must recognise the necessity of such changes and act accordingly.

Study “The 3rd contributor to occupational pension plans – Proposals for optimisation”

The study “The 3rd contributor to occupational pension plans – Proposals for optimisation” was conducted by experts from the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and the Asset Management Platform, which was founded in 2016. The study makes numerous proposals for an improvement to asset allocation with the objective of generating higher returns while maintaining the same level of risk. One particular area of focus is investing in non-traditional investments. “Without an adjustment to asset allocation, pension funds will face yield-related problems. This would translate into accepting the risk of a funding shortfall and cuts to benefits in the pension system for no good reason”, says Herbert J. Scheidt, Chairman of the SBA.

Non-traditional investments underrepresented – OOB2 guidelines set wrong incentives

The environment for professional asset management has changed significantly in recent years due to negative interest rates and other factors. Yet the asset allocation of the Swiss pension funds has remained virtually unchanged since the 1980s. Generally speaking, their investment policies are still dominated by bonds, equities and domestic real estate, while non-traditional investments continue to play only a secondary role. This is underpinned by the investment guidelines for occupational pension plans (OOB2), which still categorise assets in a traditional manner, and that, viewed from today’s perspective, set the wrong incentives. A recategorisation under OOB2 is necessary in order to precipitate a change in investment behaviour.

Greater returns with the same level of risk

In international comparison, Switzerland’s investment performance lies at the lower end of the spectrum. Countries with a greater share of non-traditional investments, on the other hand, tend to report higher returns. Comparative analyses suggest that the difference in returns between a standard pension fund portfolio today and a more broadly diversified version thereof would, with the same level of risk, be around one percent annually before costs. For the 2nd Pillar pension assets, this would result in an increase in returns of approx. 8 billion francs.

Necessary impetus for optimisation

Asset management is a strategically important matter for the SBA. Its member institutions have a strong pool of knowledge and experts that should be taken advantage of. “Because of this expert knowledge in asset management, the SBA considers it its duty to make an active contribution to a solution for the long-term success of pension plans. The study presented today does just that”, says Iwan Deplazes, Head of the Asset Management Steering Committee of the SBA and Chairman of the Asset Management Platform. Other associations, namely the Swiss Funds & Asset Management Association (SFAMA) and the Swiss Structured Products Association (SSPA) have also examined how to secure pension plans from the perspective of the 3rd contributor. This is clear proof of the urgency to bring this issue into the political debate.