Austrian pension funds have remained 'robust' amid the current challenging environment, although they were not entirely immune to recent volatility, with a slightly negative result of -0.72 per cent in Q1 2025, data from the Association of Pension and Provident Funds (WKÖ) has revealed.

WKÖ noted that international financial markets are currently characterized by "considerable uncertainty", as the introduction of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, a weakening economy in the Eurozone, and the ongoing effects of the real estate crisis in China led to increased volatility in the financial markets in the first quarter.

However, WKÖ clarified that, despite the slight negative return, given the prevailing uncertainties, pension funds have so far been able to cushion the market volatility.

In addition to this, WKO reassured savers that fluctuations such as this have had "little impact" on most pensions, emphasising that when it comes to supplementary pensions, it is returns over decades that matter.

"Pension funds have a major advantage in uncertain times: They invest for the very long term," WKÖ chairman, Andreas Zakostelsky, said.

"Therefore, you always have to look beyond individual quarters to see the long-term result. With a long-term performance of 5.03 per cent, the result significantly exceeds comparable investment forms.

"In addition, Austrian pension funds generated an increase in value of €15.28bn for their customers from 1991 to 2024."

This sentiment has also been shared more widely, as industry experts from across Europe were quick to reassure savers that their pensions are safe, after the introduction of Trump's tariffs prompted significant market volatility.

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