Voluntary Pension System

Pension Fund is a fund made up of sub-funds created from the contributions paid by the participants and would consist of all the assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by sub-funds and includes all income or investment returns thereon but excludes fees, charges and expenses related to the management of the investments of sub- funds. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (viii) of clause (a) of section 282A of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), the Federal Government has specified Pension Fund Scheme Business authorized under the Voluntary Pension System Rules, 2004, to be a form of business.

The last two decades have witnessed global pension reforms. In high-income countries, the driving force has been the threat that the current pension systems will become unaffordable as demographic developments presented a major risk. The countries that were in the process of transition from command economy to market economy confronted the challenge of introducing a public pension system in place of social security available to their populace under socialist system. However, the demographic change and affordability have been the driving force in these countries for reforms. It is anticipated that Pakistan shall also face similar challenges in the near future.