Global pensions soar to record $56 trillion

Rhea-AI Summary

Global pension fund assets in the 22 largest markets reached a record $56.6 trillion at the end of 2021, up 6.9% from the prior year. The U.S. accounts for 62% of this total, amounting to $35 trillion. Defined contribution pensions now represent 54% of assets, indicating a shift in pension model preferences. The ratio of pension assets to GDP has risen significantly, especially in the Netherlands (213%) and Australia (172%). Challenges include the need for sustainable investments amid high valuations and economic uncertainties.

Positive

• Record pension fund assets of $56.6 trillion in 2021, a 6.9% increase year-over-year.
• U.S. accounts for 62% of total P22 assets, showing significant market concentration.
• Defined contribution pensions represent 54% of total assets, reflecting evolving pension models.
• Pension assets have substantially outpaced economic growth, with a P22 to GDP ratio reaching 76.3%.

Negative

• Challenges in sustainable investment amid high market valuations.
• Economic uncertainties including inflation and supply chain issues may impact future returns.

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global institutional pension fund assets in the 22 largest markets (the P22) reached a record $56.6 trillion at the end of 2021, according to the latest figures in the Global Pension Assets Study, conducted by WTW’s Thinking Ahead Institute.

This record follows year-over-year growth of 6.9% in P22 assets in 2021, up from $52.9 trillion in the previous year — when global pension assets first surpassed the $50 trillion mark. Continued growth during 2021 means global pension assets almost doubled in the past decade since standing at $29.3 trillion in 2011.

“Pensions are becoming better funded in many countries but have also been subject to the growth in value of financial markets,” said Marisa Hall, co-head of the Thinking Ahead Institute. “Looking back on a near-doubling in pension assets over the past decade, it is clear this extraordinary valuation of the world’s retirement dreams could bring both challenges and opportunities. High valuations imply financial security but also pose difficult questions about future allocations — and will encourage many pension schemes to continue looking beyond the traditional asset classes in order to maintain returns.”

Split geographically, such growth has been driven in large part by anglosphere countries. During the same annual period, pension assets have grown in U.S. dollar terms by 11.6% in Australia, 8.5% in the U.S. and 7.7% in the U.K. Meanwhile, a 1.1% fall in Japan’s pension assets means the U.K. has overtaken Japan to reclaim the position of second-largest pension market.

New pension models are also a factor, with defined contribution (DC) pensions in particular showing strong growth. After surpassing 50% of assets in the seven largest pension markets for the first time ever in 2020, DC pensions continued their steady ascendancy throughout 2021, and now represent 54% of assets.

Concentration in pension markets has increased, even as relatively smaller countries have also seen growth in their pension assets. As of the new 2021 data, the U.S., with $35 trillion in pension funds alone, now represents 62% of the entire P22 total. This U.S. share of pension assets has grown considerably since 2011 when the U.S. represented 52% of the P22 total at the time.

The seven largest markets for pension assets (the P7) — Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. — collectively account for 92% of the P22, unchanged from the previous year.

Pension assets have also grown substantially compared with economic output. Global pension assets for the P22 reached a fresh record compared with the same countries’ collective domestic product, hitting 76.3% of GDP by the end of 2021.

Individually, the Netherlands has the highest ratio of pension assets to GDP (213%) followed by Australia (172%), Canada (170%), Switzerland (157%), the U.S. (153%) and the U.K. (124%). This ratio reflects a number of factors — from market valuations and allocations to pension inflows — but captures how pension assets have substantially outpaced economic growth in each respective country in recent years.

During the past 10 years, the ratio of pension assets to GDP increased the most in the Netherlands (up 94 percentage points), Australia (up 79 percentage points), Switzerland (up 64 percentage points) and the U.S. (up 54 percentage points).

“Investing for sustained growth is going to become an even more nuanced question in future decades. Doubling assets again in the next 10 years will need global pension schemes to confront the unsustainability of the global carbon economy and look with renewed imagination at the fundamentals of sources of return,” said Hall.

“Alongside maybe this ‘steepest’ decade of decarbonization, other long-term challenges are at play too. After the tumult of a global pandemic, inflationary pressures and supply chain issues are joining forces, bringing fresh challenges for the western service economies — and renewed scrutiny of the social responsibility of business in the 21st century. Pension professionals face structural shifts too, with defined contribution funds seemingly the future in most global pension markets, regulatory pressure, and a growing demand from end-savers for easy access to information and an openness about investment decisions.

“Leaders in the pension industry will face a host of challenges — but also fresh investment opportunities — as they navigate a new vista beyond today’s economic, financial and institutional fork in the road,” concluded Hall.

Notes to editors:

• The P22 refers to the 22 largest pension markets included in the study, which are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.
• The P7 refers to the seven largest pension markets (92% of total assets in the study): Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.
• All figures are rounded, and 2021 figures are estimates.
• All dates refer to the calendar end of that year.

About the Thinking Ahead Institute
The Thinking Ahead Institute was established in January 2015 and is a global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group made up of engaged institutional asset owners and asset managers committed to mobilizing capital for a sustainable future. It has over 55 members around the world and is an outgrowth of the WTW Investments’ Thinking Ahead Group, which was set up in 2002. Learn more at www.thinkingaheadinstitute.org.

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.

Learn more at wtwco.com.

Media contact

Ed Emerman: +1 609 240 2766
eemerman@eaglepr.com

FAQ

What is the total value of global pension assets in 2021?

Global pension assets reached a record $56.6 trillion at the end of 2021.

What percentage of global pension assets does the U.S. account for?

The U.S. accounts for 62% of the total global pension assets.

How much did pension assets grow in 2021?

Pension assets grew by 6.9% in 2021 compared to the previous year.

What is the ratio of pension assets to GDP for the P22?

The ratio of pension assets to GDP for the P22 reached 76.3% by the end of 2021.

What percentage of pension assets are defined contribution plans?

Defined contribution pensions now account for 54% of total pension assets.