Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RESAVER_2023 (Support to Retirement Savings Vehicle for European Research Institutions and research performing individuals (RESAVER))
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28
RESAVER Pension Fund, standing for Retirement Savings Vehicle for European Research Institutions is a special multi-country, multi-employer pension vehicle based in Belgium, subject to cross-border pension regulations according to the IORP Directive. The Fund accepts members among research performing organisations, typically higher education institutions, research centers and research infrastructures.
The overall aim of the RESAVER Pension Fund (or RESAVER in short) is to ensure free circulation of researchers by removing pension as an obstacle to mobility which corresponds to the strategic objectives of the Union policy as stipulated in Article 179 TFEU on the establishment of a European Research Area. Researchers are often reluctant to accept postings in a foreign country fearing from losing their pension contributions or even not being eligible for these during short-term contracts due to vesting periods. RESAVER enables mobile employees of its member institutions to remain affiliated to the same supplementary pension fund when moving between different countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and at the end of their career, they will be able to receive their supplementary pension from one single pension provider. Not only mobile employees can benefit from RESAVER though, all staff is eligible for joining from organisations engaged in research activity.
This particular proposal aims to i) internalise several management functions resulting in a more (cost)efficient, self-sufficient and leaner organisation, ii) directly contract a technical expert service provider to support fund management and expansion, and iii) accelerate RESAVER’s growth through promotional, outreach and dissemination activities.
Since RESAVER became operational in 2016 the Fund demonstrated that it can operate in an efficient and successful way in a large number of countries, providing pensions at a low cost. Building on this success, the most significant goal of RESAVER now is to strengthen its own capacities and grow in size as a result of a number of activities such as promotion, partnerships, marketing & sales activities and awareness ranging among interested parties through event and direct meetings with prospects. The more research institutions join RESAVER Pension Fund, the more effective it will become in removing pensions as a barrier to the mobility of researchers in Europe and the more it will fulfil its purpose of supporting the creation of a European Research Area, allowing for a free circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology in execution of article 179 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
The overall aim of the RESAVER Pension Fund (or RESAVER in short) is to ensure free circulation of researchers by removing pension as an obstacle to mobility which corresponds to the strategic objectives of the Union policy as stipulated in Article 179 TFEU on the establishment of a European Research Area. Researchers are often reluctant to accept postings in a foreign country fearing from losing their pension contributions or even not being eligible for these during short-term contracts due to vesting periods. RESAVER enables mobile employees of its member institutions to remain affiliated to the same supplementary pension fund when moving between different countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and at the end of their career, they will be able to receive their supplementary pension from one single pension provider. Not only mobile employees can benefit from RESAVER though, all staff is eligible for joining from organisations engaged in research activity.
This particular proposal aims to i) internalise several management functions resulting in a more (cost)efficient, self-sufficient and leaner organisation, ii) directly contract a technical expert service provider to support fund management and expansion, and iii) accelerate RESAVER’s growth through promotional, outreach and dissemination activities.
Since RESAVER became operational in 2016 the Fund demonstrated that it can operate in an efficient and successful way in a large number of countries, providing pensions at a low cost. Building on this success, the most significant goal of RESAVER now is to strengthen its own capacities and grow in size as a result of a number of activities such as promotion, partnerships, marketing & sales activities and awareness ranging among interested parties through event and direct meetings with prospects. The more research institutions join RESAVER Pension Fund, the more effective it will become in removing pensions as a barrier to the mobility of researchers in Europe and the more it will fulfil its purpose of supporting the creation of a European Research Area, allowing for a free circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology in execution of article 179 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
RESAVER successfully completed the internalisation of key management functions by hiring three staff members between 2023–24: a Pension Fund Manager (PFM) to oversee operations, compliance and stakeholder engagement; a Pension Fund Assistant to support daily administration and communication; and an Engagement and Growth Manager to drive market expansion and manage partnerships.
In January 2024, RESAVER signed a direct contract with a technical expert service provider, improving operational efficiency and reducing reliance on third parties. This expert supports legal compliance, fund enlargement, customer acquisition, and other ad hoc needs.
Targeted growth activities have accelerated, including strategic planning, market research, promotional campaigns, and tailored outreach. Early results show strong progress: four new organisations joined in 2025, with more expressing serious interest.
As of February 2025, RESAVER operates 13 pension plans across seven countries, with 1,245 participants and €25 million in assets. Regulatory approval was recently obtained in the Czech Republic and Spain, where contributions will begin in 2025.
In January 2024, RESAVER signed a direct contract with a technical expert service provider, improving operational efficiency and reducing reliance on third parties. This expert supports legal compliance, fund enlargement, customer acquisition, and other ad hoc needs.
Targeted growth activities have accelerated, including strategic planning, market research, promotional campaigns, and tailored outreach. Early results show strong progress: four new organisations joined in 2025, with more expressing serious interest.
As of February 2025, RESAVER operates 13 pension plans across seven countries, with 1,245 participants and €25 million in assets. Regulatory approval was recently obtained in the Czech Republic and Spain, where contributions will begin in 2025.
The RESAVER Pension Fund is actively delivering a high-quality, pan-European pension solution aimed at removing pension-related barriers to researchers' mobility and enhancing the overall attractiveness of research careers.
Targeted, country-specific growth and communication strategies are being implemented to increase awareness of the key benefits of RESAVER among key stakeholders. With the Fund now operational in nine countries, outreach is intensifying through tailored engagement with hundreds of organisations in each jurisdiction.
It is anticipated that RESAVER will increasingly be recognised by institutions employing mobile researchers as the most viable and future-proof pension solution. The introduction of standardised, simplified, country-specific pension plans, streamlined onboarding processes, and expansion through strategic reseller partnerships are expected to catalyse adoption and bring RESAVER to a breakthrough stage by the end of the project.
Targeted, country-specific growth and communication strategies are being implemented to increase awareness of the key benefits of RESAVER among key stakeholders. With the Fund now operational in nine countries, outreach is intensifying through tailored engagement with hundreds of organisations in each jurisdiction.
It is anticipated that RESAVER will increasingly be recognised by institutions employing mobile researchers as the most viable and future-proof pension solution. The introduction of standardised, simplified, country-specific pension plans, streamlined onboarding processes, and expansion through strategic reseller partnerships are expected to catalyse adoption and bring RESAVER to a breakthrough stage by the end of the project.