
The new law on "Private pension funds", which aims to protect the interests of fund members, as well as encourage participation in this scheme, has already entered into force, paving the way for its implementation. The Financial Supervision Authority explains some of the innovations, one of which is the creation of new forms of pension funds in order to encourage citizens' participation in these funds. Thus, for the first time, the form of the pension fund with closed participation is recognized.
The fund with closed participation can be created by an employer, several employers, or an entity organized as an employer association, trade union, unions or associations, in the capacity of the sponsor who create a pension fund with closed participation. Next to it is the fund with open participation, which was also in the previous law, which is created by the administrative company and does not provide for restrictions on membership.
According to the AMF, among other innovations brought by the law is the establishment of higher requirements for transparency towards members of private pension funds, the definition of additional requirements for the governance of the management company, the provision of fiscal facilities for members of pension funds private, as well as the reduction of the annual fund asset management commission.
According to the new law, this commission must in no case exceed 2.5% per year of the net value of the assets of the private pension fund. On the other hand, alternatives are offered for creating a more diversified investment portfolio for the member, making it possible to increase the return on investment, as well as allowing for the first time, in the investment policies for private pension funds to be taken into consideration environmental, social and governance factors of society.
During the January-June 2023 period, five pension funds operated in the voluntary private pension market. The net total of assets is about ALL 6.1 billion, while the number of members in pension funds for this period was 37,594, marking an increase of 2.95% compared to the end of last year.