Coping with the ageing of the population without major economic disruption is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges facing the global economy and world financial markets both now and for the coming decades.

In this context, this book assesses the major economic issues raised by occupational pension funds, as they have arisen in twelve OECD countries - the USA, the UK, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands - as well as in Chile and Singapore. Particular emphasis is placed on the performance of funds in financial markets, the influence on funds of fiscal and regulatory conditions, and the consequences of funds' development for capital markets, corporate finance, and international investment.

The relationship with social security, the comparative advantages of defined benefit and defined contribution funds, and the role of funds in developing countries are also examined in detail.

This book is essential reading for students and specialists in finance, financial markets and institutions, public policy, macroeconomics, and economic development; for practitioners in the fields of pension funds, corporate finance and institutional investment; and for regulators and policy-makers active in the maintenance and reform of pension provisions in OECD countries, developing countries, and the former Communist states.