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Scope
Data presentation - Summary description

These statistics refer to the number of members in pension funds (PFs). The data are reported annually.

Data presentation - Detailed description

This dataset presents statistics collected under the new Regulation ECB/2018/2  on pension funds (PFs) which belong to the sector “pension funds (PFs)” in the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) and data are available by type of members (active, deferred, retired and total). 

An active member is a pension scheme member who is making contributions (and/or on behalf of whom contributions are being made) and is accumulating assets or has accrued assets in the past and is not yet retired. A deferred member is a pension scheme member who no longer contributes to or accrues benefits from the scheme but has not yet begun to receive retirement benefits from that scheme. A retired member is a pension scheme member who no longer contributes to or accrues benefits from the scheme and has begun to receive retirement benefits from that scheme.

Members can have accrued multiple pension rights with multiple pension funds. For example, an individual can be registered as active member in one pension fund, as a deferred member in another and receiving pension benefits from another pension fund. In that case, they will also be counted multiple times in the data.

Statistical population

PFs resident in the territory of a euro area Member State form the reference reporting population

Reference area coverage

Euro Area

Sector coverage

Pension funds belonging to the sector "pension funds (PFs)" in the ESA 2010

Methodological information
Source data type

PFs submit to the NCBs the data that the NCBs require in accordance with Regulation ECB/2018/2. These in turn report national aggregates to the ECB.

Time period

These statistics are available as of reference period 2019.

Time period - collection

End of the period

Frequency of data collection

annually

Statistical concepts and definitions

For information about the naming convention (series key dimensions and metadata), refer to the PFBM underlying DSD (ECB_PFM1) maintained by the ECB.

Statistical unit

Number of members of euro area pension funds.

Statistical processing
Data compilation

Data are aggregated across the PF sector in each Member State by NCBs to derive national contributions to the euro area aggregated numbers of members of the PF sector.

Adjustment

Not adjusted or consolidated

Data validation

Basic validations are carried out at different levels.

Data revision

The revisions policy and procedures set by the ECB and the relevant NCB must be followed.

Administrative Information
Title

PFBM - Members of Pension Funds

Data source

National central banks (NCBs) and ECB

Quality
Quality management

Quality is ensured by means of a comprehensive legal framework included in the Regulation ECB/2018/2  on statistical reporting requirements for pension funds.

Accuracy

Minimum standards for accuracy:

(a) the statistical information must be correct: all linear constraints must be fulfilled (e.g. subtotals must add up to totals);

(b) reporting agents must be able to provide information on the developments implied by the transmitted data;

(c) the statistical information must be complete and must not contain continuous and structural gaps; existing gaps should be acknowledged, explained to the relevant NCB and, where applicable, bridged as soon as possible;

(d) reporting agents must follow the dimensions, rounding policy and decimals set by the relevant NCB for the technical transmission of the data.

Timeliness

As mentioned in the legal documents, there is a phasing in period until 2022 for the annual data. Currently the annual data are reported to the ECB by close of business on the 90th working day following the end of the year to which the data relate. As of reference period 2022, the data are reported to the ECB by close of business on the 80th working day following the end of the year to which the data relate.

Dissemination
Release policy - release calendar

See the release calendar for pension funds statistics in the euro area on the ECB’s website.

Dissemination format

Statistical Data Warehouse (SDW) and ECB website

Technical Information
Catalog

Download the series catalogue containing a full list of series and associated metadata of the dataset PFBM in CSV format (zipped)

Dataset last update
21 May 2024 10:00 CEST
Miscellaneous
Metadata last update
10 November 2022 11:04 CET