The Population Ageing, Implications for Asset Values, and Impact for Pension Plans: An International Study was primarily funded by the Canadian Funding Body SSHRC, with additional financial support from the IFoA, the Society of Actuaries in the USA, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, the University of Waterloo and the University of Kent.
Latest news
New international research on the connection between population structure and bond yields
Wednesday 15 April 2020
The IFoA has published a new international research paper, released jointly with the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. This research looks at the implications for population ageing on different asset classes and illustrates that impact on the financial status of pension plans. Exploring the impact of population ageing on bond yields in various countries, this research finds that the ratio of the middle-aged to the young or old population is associated with either a reduction or an increase of bond yields at various points on the yield curve. Read the full report here.
As part of this wider project, the IFoA is funding a PhD student (Aniketh Pittea), based at the University of Kent, who is specifically focusing on:
- developing a generic economic capital model of a large pension plan which can suitably be adapted to represent pension schemes in the UK, US, Canada and other developing countries
- implementing and integrating the demographic and asset valuation models, developed during the other phases of the research initiative, in the economic capital model of the pension plan
- analysing the impact and sensitivity of demographic structure and asset valuation models on the financial risk management of pension plan
- suggesting alternative risk-mitigating strategies that can be employed by pension plans to cope with the underlying risks.
The research project will break new ground by incorporating gender into an overlapping generations model to better understand the differences in retirement outcomes for males and females. It is also set to include international capital flows in the analysis and will consider the impact on specific asset classes, such as equities, property and infrastructure.
The research findings will have important implications for pension funds, asset managers, and individuals. If asset prices are materially affected by an ageing population, then actuaries and risk managers need to incorporate this consideration into their work.
Latest events and publications
Joint CIA, IFoA, SOA Webcast: Measuring Pension Plan Risk from an Economic Capital Perspective
Wednesday 15 May 2019
Jointly sponsored by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Society of Actuaries, and CIA, this webcast presented research that compares the risk profiles of pension plans in the UK, the US, and Canada. By the end of this session, attendees were able to:
Identify the key items that affect the financial risk of a defined benefit pension plan;
Compare the financial risk implications of different pension plan designs; and
Evaluate the impact of alternative asset mix policies on the financial risk of a pension plan.
Speakers: Stephen Bonnar (FCIA), University of Waterloo, Aniketh Pittea and Pradip Tapadar, School of Mathematics, Statistics & Actuarial Science, University of Kent
About the webcast: Economic capital, the 0.5th percentile result of a stochastic projection, is the primary risk measure employed. The research examines not only the difference in economic capital requirements between typical plans in the three countries, but also its sensitivity to changes in asset allocation, contributions, and starting funded status. The recording is now available to members in the VLE. If you have any questions regarding this webcast please email us.
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The IFoA, CIA and SOA launch innovative international pensions risk report
Wednesday 13 November 2019
In November, we were proud to announce the launch of a pensions-focused research report from the University of Kent and the University of Waterloo, in Canada. This research has been supported by an international partnership of funders, including the IFoA, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries in the US. In this essential new research report, ‘A Tale of Two Pensions Plans’, the research team explore the potential challenges faced by Defined Benefit pension scheme sponsors and trustees in ensuring security of benefits for pension scheme members and the associated uncertainty.
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2018 International Congress of Actuaries, Berlin
We are delighted to announce that this research team were selected for a Best Paper Award at the 2018 International Congress of Actuaries in Berlin. Countries with an ageing population are concerned that the expected drop in saving and investment will result in substantially diminished asset prices and compromised pension plans. This award-winning paper contributes to the quantification of the link between population structure and asset values, by modelling returns on assets in the presence of demographic change.
From left to right Lori Curtis, Kate Rybczynski, Steve Bonnar (all University of Waterloo), Jaideep Oberoi (University of Kent), award presenter (Juergen Bierbaum). Other co-authors not present: Miguel Leon-Ledesma (University of Kent) and Mark Zhou (CMHC). It was the ICA 2018 Best Paper Award - Demographic Change and Longevity and the presenter stated that one aspect of the paper which the committee liked was the way it combined economic models with actuarial science.
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Contact Details
If you have any questions or wish to discuss any aspect of research carried out through the Actuarial Research Centre (ARC), please contact the Research and Knowledge Team.
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Events calendar
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TPR Climate Change Guidance Consultation
17 August 2021
Louise Pryor, IFoA President, will chair this free-to-view session, in which Alex Darsley, TPR, Actuarial Regulatory Policy, will be discussing the regulator’s Climate Change Guidance Consultation, which is seeking views on new guidance designed to help trustees meet tougher standards of governance in relation to climate change ri -
September 2021 - Exam Preparation Techniques Webinar
23 August 2021.
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Internal audit is often the Cinderella of the audit world. It’s a regulatory requirement for insurance companies to have an internal audit function, so why not make it as useful as possible? This session will look at how to link an internal audit plan to the risk register, and how that helps audit committees and boards to spot problems and fix them. -
Climate change is one of the greatest risks facing our world today. Addressing it will require multi-faceted solutions. Through this panel session, we will explore the different levers that can be used to meet net-zero targets including climate science and data, government engagement, and mobilising green finance.
Louise Pryor, IFoA President, will chair this free-to-view session, in which Alex Darsley, TPR, Actuarial Regulatory Policy, will be discussing the regulator’s 
Internal audit is often the Cinderella of the audit world. It’s a regulatory requirement for insurance companies to have an internal audit function, so why not make it as useful as possible? This session will look at how to link an internal audit plan to the risk register, and how that helps audit committees and boards to spot problems and fix them.
Climate change is one of the greatest risks facing our world today. Addressing it will require multi-faceted solutions. Through this panel session, we will explore the different levers that can be used to meet net-zero targets including climate science and data, government engagement, and mobilising green finance.