- LCP Ireland’s Investment Summary for January 2026 has revealed that its sample defined benefit (DB) scheme’s funding level rose to c.107 per cent during the month, reflecting a rise in asset values.

In addition, its high-risk, medium-risk and pension purchase defined contribution (DC) strategies all posted positive returns. Annuity prices also rose in January, reflecting increasing bond prices. Over the month, LCP Ireland said global equities rose by 2.5 per cent (in local currency terms), with Eurozone markets rising by 2.9 per cent and North America falling by -0.1 per cent (in euro terms). The US dollar weakened against the euro over the month.

- Finnish earnings-related pension provider Ilmarinen has switched to CO₂-free district heating for all its energy purchases.

This means that the energy purchased by Ilmarinen is produced without direct fossil carbon dioxide emissions. The change is part of Ilmarinen's long-term efforts to reduce the climate impact of its real estate portfolio. Ilmarinen said it will enable significant reductions in emissions during the use phase of the properties. The change came into effect at the beginning of the year.

Denmark’s Industriens Pension has sold property in the embassy district of Østerbro in Copenhagen.

It did not disclose the price exactly, but said it was in the hundreds of millions (DKK). The buyer, Copenhagen Capital, will take over the property on 1 March 2026 in a joint ownership arrangement with Tokara Ventures. The property, which comprises a total of 3,213 square metres of office space, was acquired by Industriens Pension in 2015. The sale is part of the pension company's efforts to align its property portfolio with its strategy.

- Finnish earnings-related pension company Varma has agreed to sell all of its residential properties to Lumo Kodit Oy and, at the same time, increase its ownership in Lumo Kodit's parent company, Kojamo.

Varma will continue to invest in housing as a significant shareholder in Kojamo. The purchase price is approximately €900m, payable in cash and in new shares issued by Kojamo. “We have evaluated our investment portfolio and what is the best way for us to invest in the Finnish housing market, taking into account the upcoming pension reform. This is a favourable situation for us to implement through our shareholding in Kojamo. Going forward, we will remain just as committed to the Finnish housing market and its return potential as before, but with less capital tied up,” Varma deputy CEO, Markus Aho, said.

---