UN pensions are generally considered strong and reliable, providing staff with predictable lifetime income, survivor benefits, and disability coverage.
They are fully funded, professionally managed, and backed by contributions from both staff and the UN.
This article covers:
- What is considered a good retirement pension?
- What are the benefits of a UN pension?
- Which pension system is best?
Key Takeaways:
- UN pensions offer secure, predictable lifetime income.
- Staff contribute 7.9%, with the UN adding over 15%.
- The UNJSPF is a $95B professionally managed global fund.
- UN pension is strong, reliable, and widely regarded as a top international scheme.
If you’re a UN staff member and have questions, feel free to reach out at hello@adamfayed.com or WhatsApp +44-7393-450-837.
The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
What is considered a good pension scheme?
A good pension scheme generally provides long-term financial security, predictable benefits, and protection against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Key features include:
- Lifetime income or guaranteed retirement payments
- Employer contributions that supplement personal savings
- Portability or transfer options for globally mobile employees
- Strong fund management and regulatory oversight
The UN pension ticks most of these boxes, offering staff a stable, professionally managed, and globally recognized retirement plan.
Is it worth being in a UN pension scheme?
Yes, being in a UN pension program is worthwhile due to its strong financial and career benefits.
Participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) provides:
- Defined benefit structure ensuring predictable lifetime income
- Optional lump sum up to one-third of pension for flexibility
- Survivor and disability coverage
- Integration with other benefits, including tax-free salary, health insurance, and education grants for dependents
Even for short-term staff, contributing to the UN pension builds entitlement and may provide a withdrawal settlement if service is less than five years.
How much is the UN pension fund?
The UN pension fund has net assets of about US $95 billion, as of 2024.
Its diversified portfolio and professional management allow it to generate steady, long-term returns, ensuring sustainability for both current and future retirees.
Which country has the best pension in the world?
Countries with the best pension systems include the Netherlands, Iceland and Denmark.
According to the 2024 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index (MCGPI), the Netherlands ranks first with an overall score of 84.8 out of 100. Iceland follows with 83.4 and Denmark ranks third with 81.6.
That index assesses each system on pension adequacy (how much retirees receive), sustainability (ability to maintain benefits long‑term), and integrity (governance and regulation).
In 2024:
- Netherlands led in adequacy.
- Iceland scored highest for sustainability.
These consistent high ratings across key metrics explain why these countries are widely regarded as offering the best pension systems globally.
Which countries have the worst pension system in the world?
The pension systems ranked lowest globally in recent Mercer CFA index editions include India, Philippines, Argentina and Türkiye.
Key weaknesses of these low‑scoring pension systems:
- Very low benefit adequacy, meaning retirees often receive only a small fraction of pre-retirement income.
- Weak long-term sustainability, due to demographic pressures, low coverage by formal pension schemes and under‑funded public pensions.
- Poor system integrity and governance, including irregular contributions, limited regulation, and insufficient protection for retirees.
These conditions make it difficult for working people in those countries to count on pensions as reliable retirement income, highlighting how much pension outcomes can vary globally.
Conclusion
The UN pension stands out as a well-funded, internationally managed plan that provides staff with dependable retirement income, survivor protections, and additional financial security.
While pension quality varies widely across the world, the UNJSPF exemplifies how strong governance, professional management, and balanced contributions can create a system that is both sustainable and reliable for long-term retirees.
FAQs
Is it really worth having a pension?
Yes. A pension provides predictable, long-term retirement income, often with employer contributions and protections that personal savings alone cannot match.
Why are pensions in trouble?
Many national systems face demographic shifts, underfunding, and economic pressures, leading to potential reductions in benefits or delayed eligibility.
Is it possible to lose your pension?
For the UN pension, it is very unlikely to lose your benefits.
Permanent loss mainly occurs if you leave early with a withdrawal settlement or, in rare cases, due to serious misconduct.
Administrative issues like missing documents may delay, but not cancel, payments.
Pained by financial indecision?
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.
