How to Join

The organisation has three types of membership: Governing Members; Associate Members and Observer-status Members. To apply for any category of membership please send the attached application form to the Treasurer of the organisation.

2010 Membership Form

2010 fees will be levied in three bands according to the stage of economic development in the member's country. The bands are based on the World Bank's country classification (using per capita gross national income) attached: 

World Bank Country classification

• Most developed economies €7,500
• Mid tier economies €5,000
• Less developed economies €2,500

Types of Membership

The organisation has three types of membership:

a. Governing Members;
b. Associate Members;
c. Observer-status Members.

Governing Membership
a. Eligibility. Any entity, responsible in whole or in part for the supervision of pension funds, plans, schemes or arrangements in a country or in the subdivision of a country, whether invested with its own personality or not, is eligible for Governing Membership in IOPS.
b. Entitlements. Governing Members are entitled to participate in all activities of the Organisation, are eligible to be members of IOPS committees and to chair such committees, and have access to all outputs of the IOPS.
c. Voting. Governing Members have full voting rights.

Associate Membership
a. Eligibility. (i) any governmental authority including any international authority, that is responsible in whole or in part for pension regulation or the establishment of pension policy and that has an interest in pension supervision and (ii), solely at the invitation and discretion of the Executive Committee, any international governmental (or similar) organisation that has a direct, institutional interest in pension supervision is eligible for Associate Membership.
b. Entitlements. Associate Members are entitled to attend meetings of the Technical Committee and, sub-committees and are entitled to access all outputs of the IOPS. Associate Members, however, are not eligible to chair such committees. Associate Members also may attend and speak at open Executive Committee meetings.
c. Voting. Associate Members have no voting rights.

Observer-status Membership
a. Eligibility. Entities that do not fulfil the criteria for Governing or Associate Membership, but are interested in pension supervision, upon appropriate application, may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, obtain Observer-status Membership. Such entities include, but are not limited to:
i. Researchers and Research Organisations, including, but not limited to, universities, research institutes and individuals with an interest in pension economics, finance, statistics, regulation or supervision;
ii. Self-regulatory and industry-representative bodies and professional associations including, but not limited to, standard-setting bodies with an interest in pension supervision;
iii. Financial institutions and professional firms engaged in the business of providing pension-related services, including, but not limited to, investment management, actuarial, legal, consulting, trust and custodial services; and
iv. International governmental (or similar) organisations that have an interest in international pension supervision and do not have Associate Member status.
b. Entitlements. Observer-status Members are entitled to attend and observe open meetings of the  sub-committees. Observer-status Members are not eligible to chair (or serve as vice-chair of) committees.
c. Voting. Observer-status Members have no voting rights.

Member Designation of Representatives
a. Governing Members. In the case of Governing Members, the official representative to IOPS shall be the head of the supervisory authority. In the case of an integrated authority, the head of the unit most responsible for pension activities shall be the official representative. Each Governing Member, however, may designate in writing an individual who will act as its designated representative at any particular meeting or event of the Organisation.
b. Associate and Observer-status Members. Associate and Observer-status Members shall designate an official representative that will represent the Member at IOPS meetings and events. Each such official representative, however, may designate in writing an individual who will act as the Member’s designated representative at any particular meeting or event of the Organisation.
c. Rights of Designated Representatives. Designated representatives are entitled to participate in the activities of the Organisation and to vote at any meetings of Members to the extent permitted by their specific membership status and in accordance with these Articles.

Application Process
To apply for any category of IOPS membership please send the attached form to the Treasurer of the Organisation.

2010 Membership Form