Key Takeaways
- • The UK retained its B grade in the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, holding steady in the latest edition of the rankings.
- • Countries scoring above 80 received an A grade, a threshold the UK did not reach in this assessment.
- • The UK's pension assets are equivalent to roughly 79.3% of GDP and rank third highest globally, according to the index.
- • Mercer's index notes the UK's automatic enrolment achievements, but flags a projected pension savings gap.
- • Mercer has cautioned against forcing pension funds to back particular asset classes, a point relevant to UK policy debate.
Summary
The United Kingdom has maintained its B grade in the latest Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, according to Corporate Adviser's coverage of the report. The index grades retirement income systems worldwide, and countries scoring above 80 receive an A grade. The UK's steady performance means it did not advance to that top tier in this edition.
Separate coverage of the index describes the UK as ranking among the leading nations, with one report stating the country jumped six places to ninth in global rankings. The UK's pension assets are equivalent to 79.3% of GDP, placing it third globally by asset value, according to the index data cited in secondary coverage.
Mercer's assessment acknowledges the UK's automatic enrolment achievements, while noting that the country's pension savings gap is projected to widen. Mercer has also warned against forcing pension funds to back particular assets, a caution that bears on ongoing UK policy discussion around pension investment allocation.
The index covers dozens of systems globally. Recent editions have reported steady progress across pension systems, with the Netherlands, Iceland and Denmark among those receiving the highest ratings. The full report and benchmarking detail for each system are available from Mercer and the CFA Institute.
Separate coverage of the index describes the UK as ranking among the leading nations, with one report stating the country jumped six places to ninth in global rankings. The UK's pension assets are equivalent to 79.3% of GDP, placing it third globally by asset value, according to the index data cited in secondary coverage.
Mercer's assessment acknowledges the UK's automatic enrolment achievements, while noting that the country's pension savings gap is projected to widen. Mercer has also warned against forcing pension funds to back particular assets, a caution that bears on ongoing UK policy discussion around pension investment allocation.
The index covers dozens of systems globally. Recent editions have reported steady progress across pension systems, with the Netherlands, Iceland and Denmark among those receiving the highest ratings. The full report and benchmarking detail for each system are available from Mercer and the CFA Institute.
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