AS per a Report, in 2016, private pension assets reached their highest-ever level at over USD 38 trillion in OECD countries. Investment losses resulting from the financial crisis have been recouped in almost all reporting OECD countries. However, the low-interest rate environment continues to exert pressure on pension providers through lower yields on the bond portion of their portfolio investments, which may affect their ability to maintain promises to plan members. This has given rise to concerns that pension providers could increase their exposure to riskier investments in a search for potential higher yield.

A special feature on foreign investment by pension providers analyses the extent to which pension providers exploit diversification opportunities through foreign investment, which geographical areas pension assets are invested in, and how these investments are channelled. The operational and regulatory hurdles that may exist when investing abroad are also considered.