This paper investigates the financial risk-taking behavior of pension funds since 2000. I assemble a new database containing portfolio holdings of more than 100 pension funds from 14 advanced economies. The study reveals three key findings. First, I show that pension fund portfolios have become...

Pension funds are increasingly relying on swaps to hedge the long-term nature of their liabilities. While the use of swaps reduces pension funds' exposure to interest rate risk, it exposes pension funds to liquidity risk because of potential margin calls. We study these effects using unique data...

This paper uses a novel numerical optimization technique – robust optimization – that is well suited to solving the asset-liability management (ALM) problem for pension schemes. It requires the estimation of fewer stochastic parameters, reduces estimation risk and adopts a prudent approach...

The aim of this paper is to investigate long-term portfolio management in a fully structural macro- financial framework. First, we estimate a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model that describes the dynamic of the US economy and financial markets. In addition to the typical...

We build a macroeconomic model for Switzerland, the Euro Area, and the USA that drives the dynamics of several asset classes and the liabilities of a representative Swiss (defined-contribution) pension fund. This encompassing approach allows us to generate correlations between returns on assets...

This paper analyses investment strategies of three types of institutional investors – pension funds, life insurers and non-life insurers – over the period 1999-2005. We use balance sheet and cash flow data, including purchases and sales of equity, fixed income and real estate. We trace asset...

The purpose of this study is twofold. On one hand we derive an optimal allocation framework between stocks and bonds, with and without a momentum factor, taking into account a regime-switching model based on monthly equity and interest rate data since 1870. On the other, we investigate the...

This paper surveys the recent literature on investing in illiquid assets. The paper takes a practical perspective and contains recommendations for the investment policy of a large sovereign wealth fund. We first summarize the theoretical literature on liquidity level and liquidity risk premiums....

Pension funds only explored alternative assets quite recently, prodded by financial crises which devastated equity returns and led to low bond returns. We assess the addition of alternative assets to pension fund portfolios in terms of the total benefit derived from diversification, addition of...

This paper examines the pattern of investment by Australian defined-contribution superannuation funds in illiquid assets, using a unique but confidential database. Not-for-profit funds allocate more of their portfolios to illiquid assets, on average, than retail funds. Their allocations reflect...