^aPrivate Pensions Unit, OECD, 2, rue André-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France. E-mail: jyermo@hotmail.com

Abstract

Private pension arrangements are being promoted around the world to play a more central role in retirement income provision. One key policy concern of this trend is how risks inherent to funded arrangements will be addressed. Regulatory efforts are most successful when tackling informational asymmetries and other operational problems that hinder market efficiency. Over recent years, the OECD has issued a set of core principles that set out good practices in pension regulation. The principles and related guidelines focus on promoting high-quality managerial processes and effective internal governance and external monitoring. In addition, the guidelines identify a set of basic rules to protect the rights of members and beneficiaries and prudential standards to promote high levels of funding and appropriate investment strategies that take into account the structure of the pension plan's liabilities.