13 January 2004

European Parliament Pensions Forum discussion on gender equality in supplementary pensions

The newly-formed EP Pensions Forum (EPPF) held its first meeting on 8 January to discuss the implications of the proposed Directive implementing equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services.

The Commission presented this Directive as little more than implementing the next steps of the details of settled political policy on “achieving gender equality”. So the debate hinged on the expression of political will versus the risks of unintended consequences, especially for women.

Nonetheless, technical experts showed that there might be a significant cost increase in life insurance across the board but it was unclear what the impact might be on the annuitisation of lump sums arising from supplementary pensions.

This Directive was published in early November, 2003 and GrahamBishop.com understands that the current plan is to enact it in a single reading. There will be a discussion in the Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee on 18/19 February, with a deadline for amendments at the end of the month. Then a vote in Committee is expected on 15/16 March, followed by a vote in Plenary in April. The current view is that it will be passed by Parliament but there may yet be problems in Council.

NOTE: GrahamBishop.com is organising a “Focussed Workshop” on the life insurance implications – but at short notice in view of the compressed timescale for the EP Committee debate. Please contact us if you would be interested in participating/sponsoring.

--------------------------------- BACKGROUND
Achieving Gender Equality
With the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, the Community has as a task to promote equality between women and men. In fact, the Community aims to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality between women and men in all its activities - a process known as 'mainstreaming'.
The practical implementation of this gender mainstreaming is spelt out in the Community Framework Strategy on Gender Equality (2001-2005), which is an umbrella for all Commission services' activities and which co-ordinates their efforts to achieve gender equality. It involves policy analysis and planning, the collection of statistical data broken down by sex, as well as training and awareness-raising of the key actors involved. This strategy is supported by a financial programme, for 2001 to 2005, of € 50 million.
The range of activities with a gender equality angle ranges from the integration of a gender perspective in the European Structural Funds (for instance in DG Employment the 4th pillar of the European Social Fund and the EQUAL initiative, but also the initiatives URBAN and LEADER+), to development co-operation, science and research, trade and globalisation, public procurement, the fight against organised crime (such as trafficking of human beings or domestic violence) and the promotion of human rights. The Community policies also aim at a balanced participation of women and men in decision-making at all levels, including the EU. All these initiatives are accompanied by funding possibilities for the relevant organisations from the various Community programmes.
As appropriate, legislation is also used to achieve equality, especially to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex. Most of the current legislation relates to employment but a new initiative has been announced for non-labour market areas e.g. goods and services.

Source: Policies of DG Employment and Social Affairs

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