The Commission incentivising the transfer of public resources to speculators

EN E-002428/2018 Answer given by Vice-President Dombrovskis on behalf of the Commission (29.6.2018) The pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP) proposed by the Commission is a complementary and voluntary personal pension product that would enable savers from all income groups to benefit from an additional income in retirement. It does not harmonise national rules on pension products. The coexistence of public sector pensions, occupational pensions and national private pension products will not be affected in any way by the PEPP. The PEPP is designed to provide a high standard of consumer protection with strong information requirements and distribution rules. It will be cost-effective for savers by enhancing competition between different types of providers, by setting limits on fees and charges, and by enabling savers to switch providers. Fees and costs will also be more transparent. They will be disclosed in a simple Key Information Document (KID) that savers will receive before purchasing PEPP. PEPP providers will also disclose fees and charges in standardised benefit statements during the product lifetime. The enhanced transparency and the right for savers to switch providers will incentivise providers to keep their fees low. Thanks to these innovative features, the PEPP will remedy the shortcomings indicated in the 2012 White Paper that the Honourable Members refer to.