CEA Note on Elimination of Tax Obstacles to the Cross-Border Provision of Occupational Pensions

06 July 2001

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There is a risk that any attempt at tax harmonisation or even extensive tax co-ordination will delay the setting-up of cross-border activities of occupational pension institutions. The CEA therefore supports the principal points outlined in this Communication as a necessary first step, that is the principle of exempt contributions, exempt investment income and capital gains of the pension institution and taxed benefits (EET). However, the CEA considers that it would be useful to examine in detail at a later date observations made so that more binding community actions can be proposed, either to improve co-ordination of the tax treatment of occupational pension provision within the European Union or to enforce compliance with certain principles which are currently not applied as these are still left to the discretion of the Member States.

The CEA’s position is based in particular on four key points:

prohibition of discrimination of foreign occupational pension institutions;

improved exchange of information;

setting up of a pan-European pension institution;

preferential pension system.

See full note

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