2006 Conference of the International Association of Latin American Pension Fund Supervisors

IOPS members were invited to attend the 2006 International Conference and Annual Meetings of AIOS (the International Association of Latin American Pension Fund Supervisors), which were jointly organised by the Association and by the Mexican pension fund supervisor (Consar). The International Conference took place 3-4 May 2006 in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The objectives of the meeting were to encourage and facilitate the flow of information among different parties involved in pension systems in Latin America, to present the opinions of international experts on different subjects related to individual accounts pension systems and to explore policy options and practical solutions to challenges faced by regulatory and supervisory authorities.

The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of authorities of the Mexican Government. Afterwards, there were a series of conferences by high ranked officials of international organisms as well as experts on pension matters.

In particular, Richard Hinz, Pension Policy Adivisor at the World Bank, presented a general perspective into the challenges of pension supervision in a context of worldwide population aging, changes in the family structure and patterns of work, growing information technology and innovation in financial markets and products, and an integrated global economy. Estelle James, Consultant to the World Bank and USAID, spoke about gender and coverage in pension reforms in Latin Amercia, arguing that pension system refors had a positive impact on women in Chile, Argentina and Mexico. Furthermore, Gregorio Impavido, Senior Financial Economist in the Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure Department of the World Bank, talked bout competition and costs in the Hungarian second pillar. Solange Berstein, President of the Chilean Pension Supervisor, and Guillermo Arthur, President of FIAP, spoke about the current situation of the Chilean pension system and about the future of reform. Finally, Edward Whitehouse, Principal Economist in the Social Policy division of the OECD presented the latest version of his paper on international comparison of administrative charges. A summary of the conference and the power point presentations of the speakers are attached below.