The volatility of the international financial markets during the first quarter of 2025 affected the performance of Austria’s pension companies (Pensionskassen) and corporate provision companies (Betriebliche Vorsorgekassen). These are the findings of the FMA’s respective reports on the quarterly performance of the pension companies and corporate provision companies that were published today.
The assets under management of pension companies fell slightly by -0.5% compared to year-end 2024, and stood at € 28.6 billion at the end of March. The corrections observed in prices in equities portfolios squeezed investment performance by -0.8%. However, compared year-on-year, both indicators remain significantly higher (assets under management +5.1%; investment performance +4.2%). The number of beneficiaries (entitled and recipients) of pension companies increased by 1.3% to 1.114 million people during the quarter, or whom 14% or 153,405 already receiving a pension benefit. The structure of investments remained more or less unchanged for the quarter: Pension companies invest in 40% in equities, 32% in debt securities, 7% in cash at banks, 5.7% in real estate and 3.2% in loans and credits.
Assets under management of corporate provision companies (paid into by all employees in Austria under the “Abfertigung neu” severance scheme) increased due to continuing new inflows despite market turbulences of 1.6% compared to year-end 2024, to a record high of € 21.5 billion as of the end of March. The lower allocation of shares in corporate provision companies’ portfolios ensured that there was a lower reduction in performance of -0.4% during the quarter. Year-on-year the development of assets (+11.3%) and performance (+2.9%) year-on-year is significantly positive. Entitled beneficiaries of corporate provision companies rose by 0.4% to 11.26 million (including instances of multiple entitlements at different corporate provision companies, e.g. due to changing employers). There is a heavier weighting of assets under management at corporate provision companies towards debt securities (66%) than in equities (15%). In comparison, other asset classes make up a minor proportion.
The quarterly reports about pension companies and those about corporate provision companies can be downloaded from the FMA website (in German only).
Journalists may address further enquiries to:
Boris Gröndahl (FMA Media Spokesperson)
Telephone: +43 (1) 249 59-6010
Mobile: +43 676 8824 9995
E-Mail: [email protected]