The IOPS is an independent, standard-setting body whose mission is to promote good practices in pension supervision and to serve as a world-wide forum for policy dialogue and the exchange of information.

The key resource of the IOPS is its very active membership. Research projects are proposed and developed by country members and project teams – ensuring the great involvement, relevance and commitment to all projects undertaken.

The IOPS Principles of Private Pension Supervision (pdf) provide a set of principles to cover the necessary requirements for an efficient and effective pension supervisory regime.

Widely adopted and used by supervisory authorities from around the world, they outline 10 main areas for effective pension supervision. [more]

The Methodology for Review of Supervisory Systems using IOPS Principles (pdf) provides a structured framework to pension supervisory authorities for a self-assessment vs. the Principles or an assessment by 3rd parties. [version française disponible ici]

These guidelines and good practices aim to help pension supervisory authorities to identify the areas of weakness to bring the regulation and supervisory regimes and techniques in line with international standards. Although they are not legally binding instruments, the Members are encouraged to observe and adopt them and identify the areas of weakness to bring the regulation and supervisory regimes and techniques in line with international standards.

View the Guidelines

The IOPS Toolkit for Risk-based Supervision (RBS) provides a 5-module framework for pensions supervisors looking to apply a system of risk-based supervision.

Access the Toolkit

IOPS Annual Report 2018: Activities from 1 January - 31 December 2018 and 2017 Financial Statements

IOPS Annual Report 2017: Activities from 1 January - 31 December 2017 and 2016 Financial Statements

IOPS Annual Report 2016: Activities from 1 January - 31 December 2016 and 2015 Financial Statements

View all IOPS annual reports

OECD Global Pension Statistics Project (GPS)

This project provides a valuable means for measuring and monitoring the pension industry. It allows inter-country comparisons of current statistics and indicators on key aspects of retirement systems across OECD and non-OECD countries.

OECD Pension Markets in Focus

This annual report, which now covers 87 countries, gives an overview of private pension systems worldwide and outlines latest developments.

OECD Pensions Outlook

Relevant websites related to pension supervision

The ISSA/OECD/IOPS Complementary and Private Pensions Database provides a comprehensive data source on the regulation of private pension systems worldwide. It is publicly available on website of The International Social Security Association (ISSA):

Access the database

Since its founding in 2001, the Journal of Pension Economics and Finance has served as the only peer-reviewed journal focusing on pension economics and finance issues.

Through its association with the OECD and the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS), this journal has become an influential outlet for research on pension issues and is widely circulated to the top academic departments as well as leading regulators, policymakers and international organisations.

Members can access JPEF issues online through this link.