Austrian pension funds returned 5.03 per cent in the first three quarters of 2026, according to the Austrian Association of Pension and Provident Funds.

This return level means pension funds have already reached their long-term annual average since 1991 after nine months.

Austrian Association of Pension and Provident Funds chair, Andreas Zakostelsky, said the result was particularly gratifying amid high inflation, rising oil prices, and several international crises.

“It demonstrates how successful a long-term and broadly diversified investment strategy can be, even in a challenging environment,” he added.

Zakostelsky argued that the return underscored the strength of investing for the long term across a broad range of asset classes, regions, and economic sectors.

“This is an important first step towards enabling more people to access a lifelong supplementary pension,” he continued.

“Now it is crucial to clearly explain the new opportunities offered by the adopted reform and gradually make the supplementary pension a standard component of retirement provision in Austria.”

Meanwhile, the ÖKB financial data service reported an average pension fund return of 4.83 per cent in the first half of the year.

For the 12 months to 30 June 2026, the service found the average return was 10.89 per cent.

However, Bundespensionskasse AG board of directors member, Dr. Dietmar Schuster, warned that conditions for institutional investors will remain very challenging for the remainder of the year.

“For investment, this means continuously reassessing risks and consistently aligning portfolios for long-term sustainability,” he added.

“High diversification and investment strategies that rely on illiquidity will continue to gain importance.”

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