Some of the leading names in pensions research have come together to create a new international association which aims to promote and advance high-quality social science research on pensions, ageing, and retirement.

The International Pension Research Association (IPRA) was formally announced at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, France. Led by highly regarded Australian pension economist Professor Hazel Bateman, who will serve as the inaugural IPRA President, the association aims to facilitate a global network of pension researchers, and to build a broad individual and organisational membership.

“I am excited to be part of this important association,” said Hazel Bateman, Professor in the School of Risk & Actuarial Studies at UNSW Sydney and Deputy Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR).

“As the population ages rapidly, pension, ageing and retirement experts around the world are conducting evidence-based research to provide solutions to important social and economic challenges,” she said.

“With many different approaches and stages of system maturity worldwide, this association provides a unique opportunity to link the global research community to share research findings and best practice.”

With the OECD serving as the Secretariat, the inaugural Executive Board includes founding members and leading economists, Professor Monika Buetler of the University of St. Gallen and the Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging, and Retirement (Netspar); Professor Olivia S. Mitchell, Director of the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; Scientia Professor John Piggott, Director of CEPAR; and Dr Michael Orszag, Head of Research at Willis Towers Watson.

“IPRA aims to be an authoritative voice of pension research," Monika Buetler said. “It will disseminate research of individual and institutional members to provide valuable analysis of pension research around the world to the global community.”

To achieve its aims, the association will organise a schedule of events, including a global biennial research meeting, specialised regional workshops, early career workshops, and webinars to highlight new pension research.

“These events will facilitate networking, support the sharing of information and promote high-quality social science research on pensions, ageing, and retirement,” said Michael Orszag.

“The association will also support and facilitate the development of junior researchers, and establish IPRA Fellowships to recognise research leaders for their contributions to the field,” said Olivia S. Mitchell.


The association founders encourage individual researchers and organisations, including policy groups, interested in pensions, from across the world to join. For enquiries, contact us.


The ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) is a unique collaboration between academia, government and industry, committed to delivering solutions to one of the major economic and social challenges of the 21st century. The research centre is based at the University of New South Wales, with nodes at the Australian National University, Curtin University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney.

The Pension Research Council of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to generating debate on key policy issues affecting pensions and other employee benefits. The Council sponsors interdisciplinary research on private pension and social security programs, as well as related benefit plans in the United States and around the world.

The Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging, and Retirement (Netspar) is a think tank and knowledge network, dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the economic and social impact of pension systems, ageing populations, and retirement in the Netherlands and Europe.

Willis Towers Watson is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives. Its goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. The OECD draws on almost 60 years of experience and insights to better prepare the world of tomorrow.