UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Monday 30 August 2010

Malaysian workers' pension fund launches £1bn spending spree‏

A $112bn pension fund that invests the savings of 12.3 million Malaysian workers has launched a £1bn property spending spree as Far East pension money comes into the UK. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/malaysian-workers-savings-fund-launches-1631bn-spending-spree-2064627.html

EPF was set up in 1991 as a social-security institution where private and public-sector employees, with employer participation, contribute around 20 per cent of their salaries to the fund. These savings are then managed to provide retirement and other benefits and a guaranteed 2.5 per cent annual dividend.

EPF is the latest to join the queue of Asian money looking for a home in Europe. South Korea's National Pension Service Fund, the world's fifth-largest pension-fund manager, has spent well over £1bn in the UK, including the purchase of a stake in Gatwick Airport in February.