Faced with rapidly aging societies, the search for sustainable pension systems is high on Europe’s reform agenda. One possible solution would be a reform that incorporates private provision of retirement income into the current old-age provision scheme.

For the first time, the Congress on “European Pensions: A Public – Private Partnership” will be held from February 11 to 13, 2002 in Munich, Germany. Organized under the auspices of the World Bank, the event aims to promote the understanding that the future state of benefits for tomorrow's pensioners depends on a productive public-private partnership.

Top-level policy makers, senior experts and practitioners from finance and industry, regulators, and members of academia will come together to evaluate the challenges and opportunities of a more diversified retirement income portfolio.

Among the issues to be explored will be the question on how to bridge the gap between politicians and private sector providers and convert broad ideas into realistic steps and concrete actions throughout Europe’s nations. The search for innovative and replicable examples of good practices will also entail a closer look at the experiences of current EU members, EU accession countries and the United States.

The closing panel discussion will include a presentation by Joachim Faber, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz AG, on the position of Allianz regarding the future of European pensions. Experts from Allianz Dresdner Asset Management and Allianz Dresdner Pension Consult will also hold workshops on institutionally organized old age provision.