Regulatory policies of the EU towards occupational pensions. Limits to Regulation

This chapter deals with regulatory policies of the EU towards occupational pensions. It focuses in particular on the pension fund directive adopted in 2003. Largely based on a close reading of official documents, the chapter traces the discussion about a potential social dimension to the directive in addition to its financial elements. The chapter distinguishes between a coalition in favour of a "Liberal Europe" and a "Social Europe. The contribution also provides reasons why the proponents of a "Social Europe" have failed. Keywords: Pension Funds, Solidarity, European Union, Regulation, Social Risks, Social Europe, Financial Services, Private Pensions JEL Classification: I31,J71, J3