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As of 2021, the world is facing several crises that will greatly impact on the ways in which our societies are shaped. This article provides a brief overview of the trends and opportunities that we think are crucial for the area of pensions in the years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tools are developed to predict damage to archaeological remains caused by the construction of line infrastructure on soft soil. They are based on numerical modelling and laboratory testing supported by X-ray microcomputed tomographic observations, and micromorphological analyses of thin sections. They have been validated for one-dimensional (1D) loading at two sites in the Netherlands where soil has been placed on top of organic layers rich in ecofacts and overlaying Pleistocene sands. Numerical prediction of the deformation of soft layers underneath an embankment remains a challenge for geo-technical engineers. Errors on surface settlement prediction reach ±15% of the measured total settlement. Laboratory observations show that vulnerable artefacts can get crushed when packed loosely in pure assemblies under 1D loading equivalent to less than 5 m of sand. Fragmentation is assimilated to loss of archaeological value as it compromises recovery during sieving. Embedment in a sandy or a very compressible organic matrix has a beneficial effect on the resistance of ecofacts. Embedded ecofacts can resist a load of more than 12 m of sand. Flattening and re-orientation of soft plant remains occur during 1D loading without microscopic damage of tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses European Union Executive Rule-Making and the second directive on institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision with topics the distinction between legislative and non-legislative acts; European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and executive pension regulation.

Pensions are currently at the top of the agenda of companies, employees, pension carriers, governments and, last but not least, the European Commission. This is partly because of the economic crisis pension funds are in right now but also because of the ageing population and the impact on public treasuries. These problems however cannot be solved easily. A well-functioning internal market for pan-European pensions without tax barriers can however contribute in solving the current pension crisis. In this article the authors describe the current situation and legislation regarding cross-border pension carriers and pension schemes within the EU. Since taxation is still one of the largest barriers for a well-functioning internal market for pension schemes, this aspect gets a lot of attention of the authors. They do not only describe current legislation and recommend changes; they also present a solution which is already being developed and is in line with current legislation: a multi-country tax-efficient pension scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The turmoil in the financial markets also has consequences for pension institutions. Evidently, many pension funds have lost a great deal of their assets. Another consequence is less often highlighted: the impact of the crisis on the (cross-border) activity of Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORPs). This article will mainly deal with recent developments during and after the implementation of the IORP Directive. We will discuss some key aspects of the Directive and the way in which these aspects have been implemented in several EU Member States. We will find that many Member States see opportunities in the Directive, but that the crisis, (legal) uncertainty and incompleteness of the Directive can and/or will be an obstacle to the free movement of pension institutions in the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]