More than 150 pension regulators, researchers and policymakers from around the world came together for the 11th International Pension Research Association (IPRA) Conference, held on 3 March 2026 at the OECD in Paris, France. The conference provided a forum to examine and debate some of the most pressing challenges facing pension systems and retirement income frameworks globally.
The annual IPRA conference is convened by CEPAR Program Lead and IPRA President Professor Hazel Bateman and jointly hosted by IPRA in collaboration with the Centre for Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), the OECD, the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS), Netspar, and the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
IPRA is an international organisation dedicated to improving the quality, relevance and impact of research on pensions and population ageing, with the objective of supporting better social and economic outcomes in ageing societies.
The 11th IPRA Conference explored recent developments in pension investment, asset allocation, and retirement income design, with particular attention to challenges emerging from global financial conditions, investment complexity, and the decumulation phase of retirement. Across keynote and thematic sessions, speakers examined how pension systems can adapt to evolving risks while supporting long-term financial security for retirees.
Key presentations included:
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Kristy Jansen (University of Southern California, USA)
Pension Liquidity Risk -
Aleksandar Andonov (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Pension Funds and Infrastructure Investments: The Shifting Finance of Electricity Generation -
Fiona Greig (Vanguard, USA)
Private Assets in Defined Contribution Plans: Benefits, Risks, and Implications -
Professor Francisco Gomes (London Business School, UK) – Keynote Address
Asset Allocation in Defined Contribution Pension Plans: Current Challenges and Opportunities -
Catherine Donnelly (Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Pooled Annuity Fund Design and the Management of Retirement Risk -
Jean‑François Bégin
Lifetime Pension Pools: Research-Informed Design Choices
Sessions were chaired by senior representatives from academia and international organisations, including the OECD and IOPS, and featured panel discussions that encouraged engagement between researchers, regulators and policymakers.
Presentation slides from the conference are available online.