Singapore's Central Provident Fund emerges 8th in global fund rankings

Total assets amount to $287 b.

While the global pension funds experienced a 3% dip in total assets for 2015, Asia Pacific saw a 1% improvement in funds during the year, with Singapore emerging as one of the top 10 pension funds.

According to the latest research by Pensions & Investments and Willis Towers Watson, Singapore's Central Provident Fund gained a 7.9% growth in US dollar terms and a 10% improvement in terms of local currency, with total assets of $287 billion (US$211 billion).

Singapore bested its previous rank at tenth place and emerged at the eighth position in 2015.

The report stated Asia Pacific funds increased by around 1% during 2015, as compared to a decrease of 2% for the top 20 funds.

Six Asian funds reached top 20, with Japan's Government Pension Investment sitting comfortably at the top with US$1.2 trillion assets.

Other Asian funds in the top 20 include South Korea's National Pension, China's National Social Security, Japan's Local Government Officials, and Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund.

These six funds accounted for 41% of the top 20 funds' assets in the ranking.

Willis Towers Watson Managing Director Naomi Denning said the continuing tides of assets rises and falls reflects how difficult for funds to meet their respective missions.

"It has become clear that good investment governance is the key determinant in producing the competitive edge necessary to transform portfolios and succeed in the ever-evolving mission of trying to pay benefits securely, affordably and in full,” Denning said.