This is the second article in our series exploring how ETS members contribute to improving pension communications and tracking across Europe. Today, we speak with Simone Miotto, Executive Director of the European Association of Paritarian Institutions (AEIP) and Member of the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group (OPSG) of EIOPA.
AEIP is a Brussels-based advocacy organization representing not-for-profit social protection institutions — including coordinated retirement schemes and occupational pension funds — that are established and jointly managed by employers and trade unions under collective agreements. The association brings together 33 members from 13 EU Member States, managing over €2.8 trillion in assets and providing social protection benefits to more than 118 million citizens.
Why does AEIP participate in the ETS Association, and what role does it play?
AEIP has been closely involved since the Track and Trace Your Pension in Europe (TTYPE) initiative, which began in 2013. We’re proud to serve as the only European-level stakeholder within the ETS consortium.
We support the ETS’ mission of empower mobile workers to find, understand and track their pension, no matter where in Europe they’ve worked.
By ensuring that mobile workers are not disadvantaged in accessing pension information compared to non-mobile workers, the Project helps prevent inequalities, strengthen social rights, and aligns closely with AEIP's mission to enhance occupational pension coverage and ensure pension adequacy for all.
As a member of the ETS Association Board of Directors, AEIP plays an active role in shaping key decisions. We also contribute to the communication and outreach strategy, supporting the project’s visibility and long-term success.
What are the latest European developments affecting pension communication?
One of the most important recent developments at European level is the publication of the European Commission’s Supplementary Pensions Package last November. What I find particularly positive is that the package does not only focus on regulation in a narrow sense, but also acknowledges the importance of pension communication and of giving people better tools to understand their future retirement income.
In that respect, I see the recommendation on Pension Tracking Systems as a very welcome step. When these systems are well designed, they can help people better understand the pension entitlements they have built up, support more informed retirement planning, improve financial literacy and encourage long-term savings. But this only works if the tools are genuinely user-friendly, accessible and capable of presenting information in a way that is clear and meaningful.
I also welcome the emphasis on interoperability between national Pension Tracking Systems and the European Tracking Service on Pensions, as well as the recognition that a clear legal basis for cross-border data exchange is needed in that context. This is an essential condition if these systems are to function effectively at European level.
Another important element of the package is the proposed review of the IORP II Directive. In my view, this should be an opportunity to strengthen the link between the Pension Benefit Statement and national Pension Tracking Systems. The two instruments are not identical, but complementary. The Pension Benefit Statement provides detailed information on a specific pension scheme, whereas a Pension Tracking System can bring together information from different schemes and, where relevant, from different pension pillars, in order to provide a broader overview of an individual’s pension situation. Used well, this combination can improve pension communication by offering both scheme-specific detail and a more comprehensive overall picture. At the same time, in countries where national Pension Tracking Systems are already well developed and provide comprehensive information, it may be worth exploring whether a separate PBS is still necessary in all cases, or whether IORPs could instead be exempted from that requirement.
At the same time, I think it is important not to assume that more standardisation automatically leads to better communication. Pension systems across Europe are very diverse, and that diversity matters when information is designed and presented. Communication should remain clear, proportionate and adapted to the national specificities and the needs of members and beneficiaries. If requirements become too detailed or too rigid, there is a risk that communication becomes more complex rather than more useful.
The same reasoning applies, in my view, to the discussion on the Financial Data Access framework, FiDA. It is important to distinguish between a broad horizontal framework for financial data sharing and pension-specific tools such as PTS and ETS, which are designed to provide citizens with consolidated and meaningful information on their retirement entitlements. For that reason, I believe occupational pension data should not be part of FiDA’s mandatory scope, as this could create overlap, unnecessary costs and rules that are not well adapted to the pension context.
Overall, I think the most promising aspect of the current European debate is the growing recognition that pension communication matters. Practical tools such as national Pension Tracking Systems and ETS can make a real difference by helping people gain a clearer view of their pension situation, especially when rights are built up across different schemes, pillars or countries.
What is the role of social partners in pension communication?
Social partners play a vital role in ensuring effective pension communication, especially in countries with strong traditions of collective bargaining. Their involvement helps ensure that communication is transparent, accessible, and responsive to both employers’ and employees’ needs.
By promoting dialogue between workers and pension providers, social partners foster trust, awareness, and informed decision-making about retirement planning. They also advocate for clear communication and transparency in pension governance, which benefits the entire system.
How do you see the future of pension communication?
Pension communication is shifting from compliance-driven information to personalised, digital, and proactive engagement. As citizens face increasingly complex multi-layers systems and fragmented career paths, communication will focus on clarity, accessibility, and trust.
Pension-tracking services (PTS) will become the main interface between individuals and their pension entitlements, offering consolidated overviews across pillars. Interactive visualisations, chatbots, and personalised projections will replace static annual statements. AI-driven communication will help deliver more personalised, clear, and engaging information, strengthening individuals’ understanding and trust in pension institutions. Nevertheless, traditional communication channels—such as pension benefit statements and printed materials—will remain essential, as not everyone has the digital access or skills to navigate online tools.
Our long-term vision is an ETS platform connecting all 27 national pension tracking services, giving every EU citizen a clear and seamless overview of their pension entitlements—wherever their career takes them.