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Asset allocation in Finnish pension funds

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  • ALESTALO, NOORA
  • PUTTONEN, VESA

Abstract

This paper empirically examines the strategic asset allocation and the asset/liability issues in the Finnish defined benefit pension funds. The results indicate that there is a relationship between the liability structure and the asset allocation. While pension funds with younger participants have more equity exposure, more mature pension funds have more fixed income investments.Wide dispersion in asset allocations is also found between the funds. One fund holds its entire portfolio in fixed income securities, whereas other funds have none or only few fixed income holdings. Equity investments also vary dramatically, ranging from 0% to over 70% of the asset allocation. The same applies to investments in a sponsor, real estate investment, and money market investments. A portion of these different asset allocations is explained by the liability structure, but another part remains unexplained. The other variables affecting strategic asset allocation of a pension fund are not obvious, but they could include factors such as regulatory environment, historical reasons, mean-variance optimization instead of ALM, sponsor's own preferences or pension fund's irrationality. Analyzing these factors would be a fruitful topic for further research. Additionally, international comparisons would be a fruitful topic for further investigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Alestalo, Noora & Puttonen, Vesa, 2006. "Asset allocation in Finnish pension funds," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(1), pages 27-44, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jpenef:v:5:y:2006:i:01:p:27-44_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Wilson Ngugi & Amos Njuguna & Francis Wambalaba, 2021. "The Influence of Pension Scheme Maturity on Investment Strategies of Pension Funds in Kenya," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(10), pages 1-1, July.
    2. de Dreu, Jan & Bikker, Jacob A., 2012. "Investor sophistication and risk taking," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 2145-2156.
    3. Laurens Defau & Lieven De Moor, 2021. "The investment behaviour of pension funds in alternative assets: Interest rates and portfolio diversification," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(1), pages 1424-1434, January.
    4. José Luis Iparraguirre, 2020. "Economics and Ageing," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-030-29019-1, June.
    5. Wilson Ngugi & Amos Njuguna, 2018. "Nexus Between Pension Fund Size, Design and Investment Strategy: A Review of Occupational Retirement Benefits Schemes in Kenya," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 9(3), pages 108-116, July.
    6. Huang, X. & Mahieu, R.J., 2012. "Performance persistence of Dutch pension plans," Other publications TiSEM 3dba651c-bb31-443f-963c-4, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    7. Jacob A. Bikker & Dirk W. G. A. Broeders & David A. Hollanders & Eduard H. M. Ponds, 2012. "Pension Funds’ Asset Allocation and Participant Age: A Test of the Life-Cycle Model," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 79(3), pages 595-618, September.
    8. Laurens Defau & Lieven De Moor, 2018. "The impact of plan and sponsor characteristics on pension funds’ asset allocation and currency diversification," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(1), pages 27-37, January.
    9. Mr. Rene Weber & David S. Gerber, 2007. "Aging, Asset Allocation, and Costs: Evidence for the Pension Fund Industry in Switzerland," IMF Working Papers 2007/029, International Monetary Fund.
    10. Xiaohong Huang & Ronald Mahieu, 2012. "Performance Persistence of Dutch Pension Funds," De Economist, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 17-34, March.
    11. Broeders, Dirk W. G. A. & Jansen, Kristy A. E. & Werker, Bas J. M., 2021. "Pension fund's illiquid assets allocation under liquidity and capital requirements," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(1), pages 102-124, January.
    12. repec:aia:aiaswp:wp99 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Philipp Müller & Joël Wagner, 2017. "The Impact of Pension Funding Mechanisms on the Stability and Payoff from Swiss DC Pension Schemes: A Sensitivity Analysis," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 42(3), pages 423-452, July.
    14. Molenaar, R. & Ponds, E.H.M., 2011. "Risk Sharing and Individual Lifecycle Investing in Funded Collective Pensions," Other publications TiSEM b036a69d-317f-41c5-9581-f, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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