对话中欧国际工商学院教授芮萌：养老金投资需要对抗“非理性”，长期封闭是必要机制

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese financial system is at a historical juncture, emphasizing the construction of a financial powerhouse and the development of a dynamic pension finance system to support the aging population and enhance the economy [1][22]. Group 1: Understanding Pension Finance - Pension finance is not a single product but a comprehensive financial service system covering the entire personal retirement lifecycle, typically divided into three pillars: basic pension insurance, enterprise annuities, and personal pensions [3][25]. - Traditional savings for retirement is a static wealth preservation method, while pension finance is a dynamic system that continuously generates and optimizes cash flow throughout the retirement period [4][26]. Group 2: Benefits of Pension Finance - Pension finance can address longevity risk, ensuring that individuals do not outlive their savings by providing long-term, stable cash flow through various products like annuities and pension funds [5][27]. - It better hedges against inflation and preserves value, as pension products often involve professional asset allocation in capital markets, allowing individuals to benefit from long-term market growth [6][28]. - Pension finance significantly reduces the risk of funds being misused or lost to fraud, as products typically have defined lock-in periods and withdrawal rules, promoting disciplined spending [6][28]. Group 3: Challenges and Market Development - The primary challenge in promoting pension finance is a lack of awareness and understanding among the public, as many individuals are unfamiliar with long-term pension products and prefer short-term returns [8][30]. - Current pension products generally yield stable returns in the range of 3%-5%, which aligns with the goal of prioritizing safety over high short-term returns [8][30]. Group 4: Targeting Younger Demographics - Pension products should be designed with younger individuals in mind, featuring lower investment thresholds and flexible payment options to accommodate their financial situations [9][31]. - Simplifying the purchasing process and providing incentives for long-term holding can encourage younger people to participate in pension finance [10][32]. Group 5: Regulatory and Market Structure - The safety and long-term sustainability of pension products are ensured through strong regulatory oversight, with a focus on stable asset investments [12][35]. - The market for personal pension products has developed a diverse range of options, allowing for tailored investment strategies based on individual risk tolerance and retirement timelines [13][36]. Group 6: Capital Market Considerations - For pension funds to effectively contribute to solving China's retirement issues, the capital market must be cleaner and more efficient, with a focus on eliminating poorly performing companies [17][41]. - The shift towards a "silver economy" indicates a significant market potential, with approximately 330 million elderly individuals in China, representing a market size of 3 trillion to 15 trillion yuan depending on consumption levels [19][42]. Group 7: Policy Support and Industry Development - The "14th Five-Year Plan" aims to cultivate the pension finance sector into a substantial industry, balancing both protective and developmental aspects to meet the diverse needs of the elderly population [20][43]. - The demand from the elderly is multi-faceted, requiring a comprehensive service system that goes beyond basic needs to include health, social participation, and emotional support [21][43].