The AAE has carried out a survey amongst its Member Associations on the methods by which an individual can access his/her entitlement to retirement benefits. 16 AAE member organisations contributed to the survey.

The survey serves two purposes. One being to inform the European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion about the decumulation landscape in the EU and the other being to provide a directional steer on best practice and main common challenges within the various markets for retirement benefits.

The Actuarial Association of Europe (“AAE”) has published a “Report on key issues for setting up national pension tracking services in six EU countries”.

Dermot Corry’s address to members and guests at the Society’s President’s Dinner on 12th February 2015 is available below.

The Society’s ERM Committee has responded to the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries consultation on the regulation of Chief Risk Officer roles under Solvency II.

Full details of the consultation are available from http://www.actuaries.org.uk/research-and-resources/documents/consultati…-

The ERM Committee submission is available here.

The Society has decided to commission an analysis of the financial sustainability of the State Pension in Ireland.  In particular, the research will focus on the key levers (and associated parameters) that could be flexed when considering the sustainability of the State Pension. 

Pensions Council

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland welcomes the Tánaiste’s announcement of the membership of the Pensions Council. 

The Council’s function is to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters of pensions policy.  Including Brendan Kennedy, Chief Executive of the Pensions Authority, the twelve-person Council includes five of the Society’s Fellow members – the others being Roma Burke, Tony Gilhawley, Sandra Rockett and Dr Shane Whelan – each of whom has a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to offer. 

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has issued Set 1 of its Solvency II Guidelines in the official languages of the European Union.

The Guidelines cover the following aspects:
 

The Society has responded to the EIOPA consultation on Key Information Documents for Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (PRIIPs). Full details of the consultation are available from http://www.esma.europa.eu/system/files/jc_dp_2014_02_-_priips_discussio…. The Society’s responses is available here.

EIOPA’s latest report maps out the available choices that members of occupational DC pension schemes have in the European context regarding investment in their retirement plans. The report highlights the main issues that national supervisors strive to address in order to ensure the making of effective investment decisions (where effective investment decisions are defined as decisions made in the interest of members, working towards ensuring a sustainable level of pension income).

The Society has today issued a press release welcoming the Government’s decision to establish an expert group to formulate plans for a universal retirement savings scheme for private-sector workers.