In collaboration with     CFA Institute     Monash University, Monash Business School


The results are in: Iceland leads, but only by a margin

The Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index benchmarks 44 retirement income systems around the world, highlighting challenges and opportunities within each. This year we have added Portugal to the mix, as well as using updated data from OECD and the UN World Population Prospects 2022.
 

The index is made up of three sub-indices – adequacy, sustainability and integrity – to measure each retirement income system against more than 50 indicators. This year's feature chapter unpacks the challenging defined contribution (DC) equation of converting a DC lump sum into a good outcome for retirees. Download the reports to learn more about your pension system.



This year’s top rated pension systems


Iceland


Index: 84.7

Rating: A

Ranking: #1

Netherlands


Index: 84.6

Rating: A

Ranking: #2

Denmark


Index: 82.0

Rating: A

Ranking: #3



Three pillars of our analysis and top three rated countries


 

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Adequacy

How much do you get?
 

#1 Iceland

#2 Portugal

#3 Netherlands

 

 

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Sustainability

Can it keep delivering?

#1 Iceland

#2 Denmark

#3 Netherlands 

 

 

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Integrity

Can it be trusted?

#1 Finland

#2 Norway

#3 Netherlands

 




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It is critical that we understand whether or not the retirement income systems around the world will be able to meet the needs and expectations of their communities for decades to come
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Dr. David Knox, Lead author, Actuary and Senior Partner, Mercer



How does your pension system rate?


Shanghai city skyline

  • Asia

     

    • China - 54.5
    • Hong Kong SAR - 64.7
    • Indonesia - 49.2
    • Japan - 54.5
    • Korea - 51.1
    • Malaysia - 63.1
    • Philippines - 42.0
    • Singapore - 74.1
    • Taiwan - 52.9
    • Thailand - 41.7

     

London Bridge

  • Europe and UK

     

    • Austria - 55.0
    • Belgium - 67.9
    • Denmark - 82.0
    • Finland - 77.2
    • France - 63.2
    • Germany - 67.9
    • Iceland - 84.7
    • Ireland - 70.0
    • Italy - 55.7
    • Netherlands - 84.6
    • Norway - 75.3
    • Poland - 57.5
    • Portugal - 62.8
    • Spain - 61.8
    • Sweden - 74.6
    • Switzerland - 72.3
    • United Kingdom - 73.7

     

Burj Khalifa skyscraper, Dubai

  • IMETA

     

    • India - 44.4
    • Israel - 79.8
    • Saudi Arabia - 59.2
    • South Africa - 54.7
    • Turkey - 45.3
    • UAE - 61.8

     

Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge, Sao Paulo, Brazil

  • LatAm

     

    • Argentina - 43.3
    • Brazil - 55.8
    • Chile - 68.3
    • Colombia - 63.2
    • Mexico - 56.1
    • Peru - 55.8
    • Uruguay - 71.5

     

The Sydney Opera House

  • Pacific

     

    • Australia - 76.8
    • New Zealand - 68.8

     

Empire State Building, New York



Feature chapter: Addressing a challenging DC equation

Defined contribution pension plans are the centre of a lot of debate. This year’s special chapter looks at the challenges facing defined contribution systems: the issues facing individuals, what retirees want, what solutions are out there and the best mix to solve this.

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Employers are stepping away from financial guarantees

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Individuals bear the risks before and after retirement

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Retirees receive a lump sum, not an income stream

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Households are not equipped to make financial decisions at retirement

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Governments considering reducing financial support during retirement



Download 2022 reports


Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2022 Full report 

Mercer CFA Global Pension 2022:
Full report

Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2022 Report highlights 

Mercer CFA Global Pension 2022:
Report highlights

Solving a challenging DC equation 

Feature chapter: Solving a challenging DC equation




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Since the inception of the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, the investment management and pension industry at large have faced extraordinary challenges. New financial products and strategies will be required to deliver adequate returns for beneficiaries.
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Margaret Franklin, CFA, President & CEO, CFA Institute


Download the report to learn more about this year's pension system ranking


Previous editions of the report

Important notices

Read our important information


This report is intended as a basis for discussion only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the material in this report, the authors give no warranty  in that regard and accept no liability for any loss or damage incurred through the use of, or reliance upon, this report or the  information contained therein.