Course Contents
Day 1: Fundamentals of Pension Funds
Key Topics
- Definition, financial classification and evolution of modern pension schemes
- Deep-dive analysis of the global pension crises and long-term economic impacts
- The socioeconomic role and strategic purpose of a modern pension fund
- Designing an optimal organizational structure and pension fund structure
- Comparative analysis of the primary types of pension funds
- Evaluating the formal funding, liquidity and operational requirements of pension funds
Day 2: Pension Fund Main Problems
Key Topics
- Addressing the limited scope of application and coverage gaps in a pension fund
- Managing the erosive effects of high inflation on long-term cash reserves
- Mitigating the limited returns of traditional fixed-income investment portfolios
- Safeguarding assets: identifying, fraud screening and preventing theft schemes
- Assessing the market mechanism of pension contributions and funding volatility
- Bridging the demographic gap between active contributors and pension income recipients
Day 3: General Guide for Modernisation of Pension Funds
Key Topics
- Establishment of an effective, transparent overall framework for pension fund operations
- Recognizing the systemic risks of institutional investment herding behaviour
- Confirming the operational importance of tracking systemic and extra-financial risks
- Emphasizing the geometric balance between short-term liquidity and long-term obligations
- Robust methodologies for monitoring the activities and performance of pension funds
- Challenging external advisors and asset service providers to deliver greater net value
Day 4: Improving Pension Fund Governance
Key Topics
- Best practices for the independent selection and vetting of governing board members
- Defining clarity of board vs staff roles, duties and responsibilities of pension fund structures
- Practical development of a board self-improvement, continuous learning and audit culture
- Institutionalizing transparency and accountability in real-world fiduciary practices
- Formulating balanced executive compensation policies linked to long-term fund performance
- Establishing robust frameworks to detect, report and eliminate conflicts of interest
Day 5: Improving Pension Risk Management and Investment
Key Topics
- Defining and categorising diverse pension fund risks: credit, market, actuarial and ESG
- Implementing modern risk management frameworks tailored for volatile markets
- Capacity building strategies for internal investment management and trading desks
- Institutional reform and strengthening the organizational structure of pension fund entities
- Global case benchmarks: best practices in sustainable pension fund management
- Interactive capstone workshop: designing an institutional modernization plan
