Willis Towers Watson

According to the research, North America showed the most noticeable annualised growth rate over the last five years, growing by 6.7% during the period. Europe and Asia-Pacific regions showed annualised growth rates of 3.1 % and 2.8% respectively. The U.S. continues to hold its position as the country with the largest share of pension assets across the top 300 funds, representing 38.6% spread across 134 funds. Meanwhile, Canada has overtaken the U.K. as the fifth largest country by share of pension fund assets, accounting for 5.4% (5.3% in 2015). The U.K. now accounts for 4.8%, falling from 5.4% of total assets in 2015. A total of 28 new funds have entered the ranking over the last five years, with the U.S. contributing the most new funds (13) on a net basis. Germany and Mexico experienced the highest net losses over the period, losing a net four funds each. The U.S. has the largest number of funds within the top 300 ranking (134), followed by the U.K. (26), Canada (18), Japan and Australia (both 16). Defined benefit (DB) assets increased by 5.6% in 2016, compared to 9.6% for defined contribution (DC) plans, 3.9% for reserve funds and an increase of 2.9% for hybrid funds. DB assets account for 65.5% of the disclosed total AUM, down from 65.9% in 2015, whilst DC assets have increased their share, rising from 21.5% in 2015 to 22.2%. Reserve funds remain relatively unchanged at 11.5% (11.7% in 2015), as do hybrid funds (0.8%, falling from 0.9% in 2015)