2. Allianz Demographic Pulse No. 1|2011 (January)
social security systems in Europe used to United States first to face “baby boomer tsunami” – but Europe and Asia follow closely
feature generous Pay-As-You-Go approach-
Percentage of population aged 60–65
es in the public pillar, yet recent reforms 10
reduced this generosity and increased the
importance of non-public pillars. In the 9
Hongkong
United States, the home of DC, less than Germany
Hungary
10 percent of companies still offer DB 8 Italy Spain
China
Austria
plans and in the UK, the number of DB
pension funds open to new members has 7
Switzerland
Belgium
decreased to 27 percent1 in 2009. Hong UK Turkey
Kong has reformed its pension system 6
U.S.A. France Thailand
as well, intending to have a mandatory
DC plan as the main pillar for retirement
5
provisions. 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Year of biggest peak
Source: UN World Population Prospects, 2008
Second, individuals experience the
pleasure and the pain of increasing life The rectangles show the year with the highest percentage of the population
in the pensionable age (60–65) in the respective countries
expectancies. When Chancellor Otto von
Bismarck introduced one of the first nation-
wide social security system in Germany As the above graph shows, baby boomer Retirement crisis at hand
in the late 19th century, life expectancy entry into retirement will peak at different One of the most striking findings of the
for men amounted to 45 years while the points in time across the countries. The Reclaiming the Future study was the almost
retirement age was 70 years. Today, men United States acts as a trailblazer and is universal agreement that the United States
can expect to live to age 72.3 in Europe followed by Central European countries is facing a retirement crisis. When asked,
(68.4 in Asia; 77.8 in North America)2 and and Hong Kong. Southern and Eastern “Do you believe there is a retirement crisis
will probably live even longer in the future. European countries as well as Thailand will in this country?” an overwhelming 92 per-
Time spent in retirement and the required succeed a few years later. cent of the respondents answered affirma-
funding will therefore grow unless the tively. Among those in their late 40s, that
retirement age is increased proportionally. When entering into retirement, the number rose to 97 percent.
To mitigate the effects of this development, sheer magnitude of baby boomers will
Germany, the Netherlands and the UK significantly increase the number of While this finding points to a startlingly
raised their retirement age to at least 67 people dependent on contributions from universal concern, the study revealed
years. France increased the earliest retire- the working population and will thereby even greater significance in the personal
ment age from 60 to 62. accentuate the above mentioned issues. ripple effect it had on many respondents.
The realization that there is a crisis has left
The third challenge savers face is invest- Consequently, current US develop- them feeling unsure of their own retire-
ment risk. The shift from DB to DC transfers ments can serve as a crystal ball for ment in two primary areas: preparedness
the responsibility for investment decisions other nations and Reclaiming the Future, and adequacy of savings.
onto the saver and during market down- the study developed by Allianz Life,
turns like the recent financial crisis, DC plan helps understand what we see in it. Respondents’ confidence in their retire-
participants can suffer heavy losses. In the ment preparedness was shaky, at best.
United States, where DC schemes are The study digs deep into the changing Among those aged 44–54, more than half
widely used, savers lost 30 to 40% of their attitudes and examines baby boomers’ (51 percent) said they feel unprepared for
value virtually overnight3 and although preparation for and expectations of retire- retirement. The study’s participants also
some European countries require plan ment in the United States. More than
providers to offer minimum guarantees, 3,200 US adults, aged 44–75, were
exposure to investment risk increased for surveyed to discover the unique needs, 1 Source: Pension Policy Institute
Europeans savers as well. While markets perceptions, and strategies that define this 2 UN World Population Prospects, 2008
are currently recovering, the continued generation’s need to rethink retirement. 3 Investment Company Institute, Enduring
volatility has stirred some deep-seated It also looked into consumer and financial Confidence in the 401(k) System, U.S. Retirement
fears for many people. professional attitudes toward annuities Assets, January 2010
and their role in providing lifetime income.
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4. Allianz Demographic Pulse No. 1|2011 (January)
Despite the desire for the benefits these purchase, citing the protection of their income will disappear. They’ll risk out-
products can provide, the study showed nest egg, protection from market down- living their savings. And they’ll be more
that a surprising 54 percent of the respon- turns and guaranteed income for life vulnerable to market downturns.
dents expressed distaste for the word as the key benefits. In fact, consumers
“annuity.” Perhaps this is because more ranked annuities highest in satisfaction There are options
than 50 percent formed their opinion among all financial instruments, beating As the Allianz Reclaiming the Future study
of annuities more than 10 years ago. out mutual funds at 38 percent, stocks has demonstrated, Americans are aware
Another 28 percent of respondents said at 36 percent, US Savings Bonds at of this looming crisis – and they are scared.
they formed their opinion between 10 35 percent and CDs at 25 percent. (Gold Fortunately, there is hope. As the study
and 20 years ago. And of those respon- and precious metals came in first, with also demonstrated, Americans do have
dents, 64 percent admit that they haven’t a satisfaction rating of 62 percent) options as they face these challenges and
researched annuities in the years since. plan for retirement. Further, the study
An unprecedented number of Ameri- also found that annuities may be one of
Distaste for the word annuity cans are preparing to retire, and they the most relevant of these options: Only
At the same time, for those that own will face unprecedented challenges. annuities can offer the combination of
annuities, 76 percent are happy with their Once-reliable sources of retirement principal protection and income for life.
Editor: Katie Libbe, Allianz Life Minneapolis
Publisher: Allianz SE, Königinstrasse 28, 80802 Munich, Germany | Claudia Mohr-Calliet, claudia.mohr-calliet@allianz.com I http://www.allianz.com
Why does Allianz care about demography? Why does it matter to journalists and the public? What are the benefits of Allianz Demographic
As a global financial service provider, Allianz believes Demographic change is challenging today’s societies Pulse?
demographic change to be of crucial importance. in many ways: People are getting older, and this raises Allianz Demographic Pulse is based on the latest
Identified as one of the major megatrends, demo- the issue e.g. of long-term care and dementia. research into various aspects of demographic change.
graphic change will hold the key to many upcoming Furthermore in the future there will be a significant Conducted and written by Allianz experts, it highlights
social challenges, whether with regard to health, old- decline in the workforce in all of the world’s markets, current and globally relevant demographic data and
age provision, education, consumption or capital triggering for example a challenge in pension fund- provides an insight into their impact on worldwide
markets. ing. Only information, awareness and discussion on economies and societies. To ensure up-to-date
the topic will help to change attitudes, behavior and coverage of major developments in this field, Allianz
situations, so hopefully solve urgent needs and come Demographic Pulse is published on a regular basis,
up with innovative solutions. thus providing ongoing and detailed information about
a major trend that is shaping the world we live in.
More publications at: Do you have any comments,
Allianz Group Economic Research & Corporate Development suggestions or questions? We look
https://www.allianz.com/en/economic_research/publications/index.html forward to your feedback!
International Pensions at Allianz Global Investors Please contact: Claudia Mohr-Calliet,
http://publications.allianzgi.com/en/PensionResearch/Pages/PensionResearch.aspx
++49 89 3800 18797
Allianz Knowledge Site
claudia.mohr-calliet@allianz.com
http://knowledge.allianz.com/
These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: The statements contained herein may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s
current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertain-ties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such state-
ments. In addition to statements which are forward-looking by reason of context, the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “potential”, or
“continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to, without limitation, (i) general economic
conditions, including in particular economic conditions in the Allianz Group’s core business and core markets, (ii) performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, and including market volatility,
liquidity and credit events (iii) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, including from natural catastrophes and including the development of loss expenses, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and trends,
(v) persistency levels, (vi) the extent of credit defaults, (vii) interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates including the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate, (ix) changing levels of competition, (x) changes in laws
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integration issues, (xiii) reorganization measures, and (xiv) general competitive factors, in each case on a local, regional, national and/or global basis. Many of these factors may be more likely to occur, or more
pronounced, as a result of terrorist activities and their consequences. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
No duty to update: The company assumes no obligation to update any information contained herein.
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