Stockholm (NordSIP) – PensionDanmark, one of the largest pension funds in Europe with €30.1 billion in AUM and serving 700,000 members, has been awarded the prize for “European Pension Fund of the Year” by IPE (Investment and Pensions Europe) based on its investments in sustainable infrastructure.
One IPE judge remarked that PensionDanmark “effectively operates in the future” at the award ceremony in Prague November 28.. The fund also won IPE’s Innovation award based on its robotics investments. The fund was heralded for being a frontrunner in sustainability.
This is the third time PensionDanmark receives IPE’s prize for the best pension fund in Europe (following 2012 and 2014) – a distinction unique to the fund itself.
“We see these prizes as yet another international recognition of our focus to ensure that our members get the most out of their pension savings. High returns and low premiums for our members requires new types of thinking and sustainable investments,” PensionDanmark CEO Torben Möger Pedersen said.
“The prize is an especial recognition of our work in digitalisation and robotics, which gives our members a better and more rapid service. The prizes are an encouragement to continue this work,” Pedersen added.
The IPE European Pension Funds Awards is the largest award for European pension funds, with the participation of several hundred funds. The jury made its decisions across 40 categories. The distinction of sustainable real estate investment is nothing new for PensionDanmark, however, having won many pervious IPE awards for strategy.
In addition, Alecta, the Swedish occupational pension plan manager, won IPE awards in ESG and active management.
“The investment strategy clearly differentiates Alecta from the state operated schemes,” one jury member said of Alecta’s ESG strategy. ” The track record from this strategy is excellent.”
Alecta’s performance on active management was also lauded. “Announcing is one thing, but achieving is another. 3rd most efficient in the world is outstanding,” another jury comment went.
Alecta manages occupational pension plans for 2.3 million people and 34,000 businesses across Sweden.
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