Regulatory and Sustainability Perspectives in Pension Fund Management: A Comparative Analysis

Authors

  • Eliza Eliza Sekolah Tinggi Perpajakan Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Ahadi Rerung STIE Port Numbay Jayapura, Indonesia
  • Subur Harahap Institut Bisnis Nusantara, Indonesia
  • Joni Devitra Universitas Dinamika Bangsa, Indonesia
  • Dwi Irawati Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37641/jimkes.v13i6.4166

Keywords:

Investment Strategies, Pension Fund Management, Regulatory Frameworks, Southeast Asia, Sustainability

Abstract

Pension fund management in Southeast Asia faces challenges due to aging populations, economic volatility, and varying regulatory frameworks. This study investigates pension fund management practices in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines to identify factors influencing their sustainability. The objective is to compare regulatory frameworks, investment strategies, and demographic challenges to provide insights for policy reforms. Using a qualitative comparative analysis, the study examines data from government reports, academic articles, and industry publications. The findings reveal that Singapore’s strong regulatory system and diversified investments ensure high sustainability, while Indonesia struggles with limited regulations, low coverage (only 16.5% of workers), and conservative investment approaches. Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines face similar issues, with moderate sustainability due to weak oversight and reliance on low-yield assets. Demographic pressures, such as increasing dependency ratios, further strain these systems. The study concludes that tailored reforms, including expanding coverage to informal sectors and diversifying investments into assets like infrastructure, are essential to enhance pension system sustainability across Southeast Asia. These insights contribute to understanding regional pension management and offer practical recommendations for policymakers to secure long-term financial stability for retirees.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Amaglobeli, D., Gaspar, V., & Dabla-Norris, E. (2020). Getting older but not poorer. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2020/03/impact-of-aging-on-pensions-and-public-policy-gaspar

Agarwala, M., Burke, M., Klusak, P., Mohaddes, K., Volz, U., & Zenghelis, D. (2021). Climate change and fiscal sustainability: Risks and opportunities. National Institute Economic Review, 258(1), 28-46.

Agrawal, S., Surti, J., Singh, M. R., Sugimoto, N., Vogelsang, S. J., & Broszeit, T. (2025). Pension funds and financial stability. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund.

Alier, M., & Vittas, D. (2014). Personal pension plans and stock market volatility. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/76cd10bf-6eed-573c-87f8-13c544f2d7ff

Asher, M., & Bali, A. S. (2015). Public pension programs in Southeast Asia: An assessment. Asian Economic Policy Review, 10(2), 225–245.

Aspalter, C. (2016). Evaluating the performance of provident fund systems: The case of Singapore. In Development and Social Policy (pp. 128-153). New York: Routledge.

Asshagab, S. M., & Hasanah, A. M. (2024). ASEAN in the world’s 100 top-ranked pension funds: Lessons for Indonesia. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 12(1), 133–156.

Badmus, O. A. (2024). Regulatory compliance and risk management in pension fund business development. Lagos: Zenith Press.

Bakroh, D. S. B., & Hiilamo, H. (2024). If it is adequate, it is not affordable: Stakeholder perceptions on opportunities and constraints for pension reform in Indonesia. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 44(9), 879–900.

Board, C. (2023). Money matters: Investments and you. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/infohub/educational-resources/money-matters-investments-and-you

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Brimblecombe, S., Plamondon, P., Phan, D. T., & Tsuruga, I. (2023). Republic of Indonesia: Report to the government – Financial assessment of the social security pension schemes administered by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan as of 31 December 2020 and costing of sickness and maternity benefits. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://www.ilo.org/publications/republic-indonesia-report-government-–-financial-assessment-social-security

Dafermos, Y., Nikolaidi, M., & Galanis, G. (2018). Climate change, financial stability and monetary policy. Ecological Economics, 152(1), 219-234.

Defau, L., & De Moor, L. (2020). The investment costs of occupational pension funds in the European Union: A cross-country analysis. The European Journal of Finance, 26(1), 84–94.

Dwibaskoro, A. (2025). BPJS Ketenagakerjaan investment strategy amid market volatility. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://investindonesia.co.id/2025/03/26/bpjs-ketenagakerjaan-investment-strategy-amid-market-volatility/

Famulia, L. (2020). Analisis perbandingan hubungan zakat dan pajak di Indonesia, Malaysia, dan Brunei Darussalam. Asy-Syir’ah: Jurnal Ilmu Syari’ah dan Hukum, 54(1), 27–57.

Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1989). Fourth generation evaluation. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Hadi, A., Bruder, E., & Setioningtyas, W. P. (2022). Comparison of the world’s best pension systems: The lesson for Indonesia. Social Sciences, 11(10), 435.

Hermawan, A. S., Sijabat, S. M., Bakara, D. O. E., & Abdurrahman, D. M. B. (2023). Tantangan dan peluang dalam sistem jaminan sosial: Analisis perbandingan konsep pembiayaan dan manajemen jaminan sosial di Indonesia dan Singapura. Diponegoro Private Law Review, 9(1), 88–104.

Holzmann, R. (2013). Global pension systems and their reform: Worldwide drivers, trends and challenges. International Social Security Review, 66(2), 1–29.

Huda, F. A. (2023). Rectifying the downsides pension fund with the critical analysis of triangle justice ecosystem: A comparative case study in Indonesia and Malaysia. In Islamic sustainable finance, law and innovation: Opportunities and challenges (pp. 185–195). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland.

Kanchanachitra, C., Lindelow, M., Johnston, T., Hanvoravongchai, P., Lorenzo, F. M., Huong, N. L., ... & Dela Rosa, J. F. (2011). Human resources for health in Southeast Asia: Shortages, distributional challenges, and international trade in health services. The Lancet, 377(9767), 769–781.

Kasri, R. A., Haidlir, B. M., Prasetyo, M. B., Aswin, T. A., & Rosmanita, F. (2020). Opportunities and challenges in developing Islamic pension funds in Indonesia. Etikonomi, 19(2), 311–322.

Kass, A., Crosby, A., & Parker, B. (2023). A vicious cycle: Fiscal intervention, pension underfunding, and instability in (re)making racialized geographies. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 55(7), 1780–1798.

Khai, T. S., Oppong Nkansah, J., Khan, A. W., & Asaduzzaman, M. (2024). Supporting ageing populations in developing countries: A comparative analysis of pension schemes and policy insights. Challenges, 15(2), 27-43.

Morina, F., & Grima, S. (2022). The impact of pension fund assets on economic growth in transition countries, emerging economies, and developed countries. Valletta: University of Malta Press.

Ng, R., Tan, Y. W., & Tan, K. B. (2022). Cohort profile: Singapore’s nationally representative retirement and health study with 5 waves over 10 years. Epidemiology and Health, 44(1), 202-213.

Pane, Y. F., Agusmidah, A., Affila, A., & Sukarja, D. (2024). Efektivitas program asuransi kehilangan pekerjaan sistem jaminan sosial di Indonesia, Malaysia dan Jepang. Zaaken: Journal of Civil and Business Law, 5(3), 318–336.

Park, D. (Ed.). (2012). Pension systems in East and Southeast Asia: Promoting fairness and sustainability (Vol. 480). Manila: Asian Development Bank.

Park, D., & Estrada, G. B. (2013). Emerging Asia’s public pension systems: Challenges and reform efforts. IMF Conference: Designing Fiscally Sustainable and Equitable Pension Systems in Asia in the Post-crisis World, Tokyo, Japan.

Queen, C. L., & Hassan, H. H. (2019). The factors affecting Malaysian investment risk tolerance for retirement plans. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, 7(4), 123–130.

Rahman, M. I. A., & Lau, W. Y. (2024). Pension at stake: Issues and solutions to defined benefit pension scheme in Malaysia. Singapore: Springer Nature.

Rathbone, M., & Redrup, O. (2018). Investing in the ASEAN infrastructure asset class: Infrastructure series report 3. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://www.pwc.com/sg/en/publications/assets/cpi-report-3-infrastructure-asset-class.pdf

Renanita, T., & Hidayat, R. (2023). Kesehatan keuangan rumah tangga di Asia Tenggara: Telaah cakupan terhadap literatur: Household financial wellness in Southeast Asia: A scoping review of the literature. Jurnal Ilmu Keluarga dan Konsumen, 16(2), 171–187.

Sakamoto, R. (2025). Aging in Southeast Asia and Japan: Challenges and opportunities. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 25(1), 45–60.

Sasiwonsaroj, K., Husa, K., & Wohlschlägl, H. (2020). Fertility decline and the role of culture–Thailand’s demographic challenges for the 21st century. Global Studies, 125(1), 45–60.

Secretariat, A. (2024). Old age poverty and active ageing in ASEAN. Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat.

Sun, L., Fang, S., Iqbal, S., & Bilal, A. R. (2022). Financial stability role on climate risks, and climate change mitigation: implications for green economic recovery. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(22), 33063-33074.

Trusts, P. C. (2025). Increased risk, complex investment landscape require prudent pension management practices. Retrieved on March 6, 2025, from https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2025/04/increased-risk-complex-investment-landscape-require-prudent-pension-management-practices

Wardani, K., & Firman, C. (2023). Analysis of the implementation of PSAK No. 18 pension fund accounting reporting at BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Meulaboh Branch. Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi Kesatuan, 11(3), 453–460.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-30

How to Cite

Eliza, E., Rerung, A., Harahap, S., Devitra, J., & Irawati, D. (2025). Regulatory and Sustainability Perspectives in Pension Fund Management: A Comparative Analysis. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Kesatuan, 13(6), 4901–4912. https://doi.org/10.37641/jimkes.v13i6.4166