Launch of 2019 EU-wide stress test of occupational pension schemes

Tuesday 9 April 2019: The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) launched its third EU-wide occupational pensions stress test on Tuesday 2 April.

The stress test is a crucial biennial exercise to assess the resilience and potential vulnerabilities of the European defined benefit and defined contribution pensions sector. The stress test exercise is tailored to the specificities of the diverse EU pensions sector and its potential impact on financial stability. For the first time, the stress test includes an assessment of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks. The exercise is also designed to provide insight into how the impact of shocks on pension schemes could affect the wider economy.

Participation in the stress test is open to all Irish occupational pension schemes, as the stress test framework is designed to include defined contribution, defined benefit and hybrid schemes.

EIOPA’s aim is to reach a coverage rate of at least 50% of assets of the total occupational pensions sector in each country. To help achieve this coverage level, the Pensions Authority has contacted the trustees of larger schemes directly to request their participation.

The deadline for submission of the data to the Pensions Authority is 19 June. EIOPA will conduct a central Q&A process for participating schemes from 17 April for any technical queries that arise. Further details of the stress test including timelines and the full stress test framework can be found on the EIOPA website.

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For further information, contact:

Technical Unit

The Pensions Authority

Tel: 01 613 1900

international@pensionsauthority.ie

Note to Editors

The Pensions Authority

The Pensions Authority (the “Authority”) is the statutory body established by the Pensions Act 1990 (the “Act”) to regulate occupational pension schemes, trust based RACs and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) and to advise the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection on overall pension policy development. See www.pensionsauthority.ie