Institutional allocators retain focus on long-term goals

Large allocators are navigating disruption successfully

Explore the latest takes on pension funds, endowments, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds from top institutions and asset managers.

Pension funds

How Likely Will Investors Outlive Their Savings? (Math Investor)

How individuals, pensions, mutual funds and even government retirement systems deal with increasing longevity may well emerge as one of the most important issues of our time.

De-Risking Global Pension Systems (CFA Institute)

Every country or market has its own pension system, developed over many decades, that has been influenced by a range of political, cultural, and economic factors.

Q2 Pension Funding Status (MetLife IM)

During the second quarter of this year, average pension funded status reached its low as of April 2nd at 100.8%. Funded status reached its peak on May 21 at 106.1%.

Exploring Retirement Trends and Geopolitical Dynamics (Amundi)

For compliance reasons, this paper is NOT accessible in the United States

Data shows that many investors hold unrealistic expectations about when they will retire and what income they will need for retirement.

Building the Future: Listed Real Estate in Dutch Pension Portfolios (Nareit)

Listed real estate has emerged as a preferred diversifying asset class among some European pension funds.

Global DC Peer Study 2025 (Thinking Ahead Institute)

DC pensions have become the dominant model in the global pension landscape, surpassing DB in asset share and is expected to accelerate fast.

Endowments & non-profits

How to Structure Endowment and Foundation Portfolios Today (Mercer)

2025 has been a challenging year for many endowments and foundations. The forces that brought volatility are still here, however.

Charitable Gifting Basics: Getting the Most from Your Giving (Vanguard)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States

Americans made gifts totaling $550 billion in 2024, with 71% of that amount – $392 billion – coming from individual donors rather than corporations, foundations, or bequests.

How to Create an Endowment that Endures (Fidelity Investments)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States

Many organizations begin fundraising for an endowment in a quiet phase, during which board members or highly engaged major donors make significant gifts.

Diversifiers Forever (AQR)

Foundations and endowments are in it for the very long haul. Their investment horizon is effectively forever.

The Risk, Reward, and Asset Allocation of Nonprofit Endowment Funds (NBER)

Public nonprofit organizations play a central role in the U.S. economy, employing over 20 million people with annual wages exceeding $1 trillion.

Sovereign wealth funds

Trade Policy and the Framework of a Second American Century (State Street)

Although not directly related to how sovereign wealth funds invest, this podcast deals with the environment in which these investors will allocate in the future.

Annual Review 2024 (IFSWF)

Sovereign wealth funds pivoted decisively to hard assets – infrastructure and real estate –comprising 61% of investments, surpassing equity allocations (39%).

Annual Report 2024/2025 (GIC)

The forces shaping today’s investment environment go beyond any market cycle or structural trend. They strike at the foundations of the global order.

Family offices

Global Investor Insights Survey 2025 (Schroders)

In today's environment, active strategies provide the control investors need to manage complexity, create portfolio resilience and seize opportunities.

Tomorrow’s Retirement Is Here: Why Alternatives Are No Longer Optional (Alto)

Confidence in traditional retirement strategies is shifting, and for good reasons.

Global Family Office Business Report 2025 (KPMG)

Family businesses are the backbone of economies worldwide, representing a significant share of global GDP and employment.