On 4th July EIOPA published the first EU study on the financial situation of pension funds. The results show that the holistic balance sheet approach benefits the protection of current and future generations.  And the outcomes reinforce the need to continue working towards a market-consistent and risk-based regulatory regime in Europe.

Attached below is the SAI Newsletter from June 2013.  Included in this edition are the following articles:

With this Opinion in the field of consumer protection, EIOPA recommends national competent authorities (NCAs) to analyse their national Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) markets based on the findings of this opinion. PPI is an insurance product designed to provide coverage for the consumer of a financial obligation generally in the form of a mortgage or a consumer loan repayment, in case they are unable to fulfil a payment. The consumer protection issues surrounding PPI have triggered action from regulatory or supervisory bodies in a number of jurisdictions.

The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (Joint Committee) held its first Consumer Protection Day on 25 June 2013 in Paris.

Consumer protection is a major objective for the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs – EBA, ESMA, EIOPA) and under the auspices of the Joint Committee, they continue to place this high on their agenda for 2013.

The aim of the event was to provide a forum for exchange and discussion on important and current cross-sectoral consumer issues.

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has launched a public consultation on two Good Practices Reports on comparison websites and knowledge & ability of distributors of insurance products.

Today, the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. launched The Pensions Board Annual Report and Accounts 2012. At the launch, The Pensions Board highlighted its ongoing investigations into pensions contributions deducted by employers but not passed on to pension schemes, as well as the challenges for defined benefit schemes and concerns about the governance of Ireland’s €70 billion pensions sector.

EIOPA Press Release:

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published its Annual Report 2012 as requested by EIOPA Founding Regulation (Article 43.5).

2012 is the second year of EIOPA’s work as a European Supervisory Authority. In the course of this year, EIOPA continued its work in its seven core areas: regulatory tasks; supervisory tasks; consumer protection and financial innovation; creation of the common supervisory culture; financial stability; crisis prevention, management and resolution; external relations.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D., has announced a number of regulatory changes to assist defined benefit schemes as they prepare their funding proposals before the Funding Standard deadline of 30th June 2013.  The regulations will reduce the level of risk reserve that the schemes are required to

Commissioner Barnier has indicated his intention to come forward with a proposal for a Directive to improve the governance and transparency of occupational pension funds in the autumn of 2013. At this stage, and as long as more comprehensive data is needed and Solvency II is not in force, the proposal for a Directive will not cover the issue of the solvency of pension funds. In light of the differing situations in Member States regarding retirement products and pension funds, it is necessary to continue technical work on the issue of solvency.