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Pension assets

How large is the pension wealth in Denmark, and how has it developed over time? The statistics on pension assets include the value of occupational and private pensions as well as ATP (Labour Market Supplementary Pension). Additionally, the statistics show how the assets are distributed across lifetime pensions, installment pension accounts and lump-sum pensions.

Explainer on…

The median represents the point at which exactly half of the population has a higher wealth, while the other half has a lower wealth. In particular, for wealth, the average can be significantly skewed by individuals with large fortunes, making it less representative of the general population. The median is a good alternative when aiming for a clearer picture of typical wealth levels in the Danish population.

Selected statistics on Pension assets

This page shows selected popular statistics on the subject of Pension assets. In Statbank Denmark, you can find more data and compile your own statistics.

How much has been saved in pensions?

The figure shows the development in the average pension wealth for people above the age of 18 since the birth of the statistics in 2014. The wealth is calculated post-tax, meaning that 40 percent is deducted from pension schemes that are taxed upon payout. This allows for a fair comparison between different types of pensions. 
More about the figure
Last update
2.9.2024
Next update
27.6.2025
Source data

Data is collected from a variety of sources. Housing evaluation stems from the Danish property Assessment Authority but are adjusted to market values using sales statistics and the register on buildings and dwellings (BBR). Most data on financial assets and debt comes from the tax authorities. The value of cars is assessed by using used car sales prices from AutoBranchen Danmark and ownership of the cars are based on the car register. The pension data are collected from each of the 110 pension funds in close cooperation with the Danish National Bank and the tax authorities. The municipalities (mainly KMD) delivers data on postponed payments of real estate taxes. The Danish Debt Collection Agency (Gældsstyrelsen) delivers data on public debt. The assessment of the value of unquoted shares are done by Statistics Denmark in cooperation with the National Bank. It's mainly based on accounting statistics. The unquoted shares are distributed via the registers on ownership of businesses. LD delivers data on vacation funds.

Pension wealth peaks at retirement age

Pension savings usually begin with a person’s first full-time job and typically peak around the official retirement age. From that point on, payouts and shorter remaining life expectancy often lead to a decrease in the value of the pension. Note that averages, unlike medians, can be influenced by individuals with very large pension wealth.
More about the figure
Last update
2.9.2024
Next update
27.6.2025
Source data

Data is collected from a variety of sources. Housing evaluation stems from the Danish property Assessment Authority but are adjusted to market values using sales statistics and the register on buildings and dwellings (BBR). Most data on financial assets and debt comes from the tax authorities. The value of cars is assessed by using used car sales prices from AutoBranchen Danmark and ownership of the cars are based on the car register. The pension data are collected from each of the 110 pension funds in close cooperation with the Danish National Bank and the tax authorities. The municipalities (mainly KMD) delivers data on postponed payments of real estate taxes. The Danish Debt Collection Agency (Gældsstyrelsen) delivers data on public debt. The assessment of the value of unquoted shares are done by Statistics Denmark in cooperation with the National Bank. It's mainly based on accounting statistics. The unquoted shares are distributed via the registers on ownership of businesses. LD delivers data on vacation funds.

Gender differences in pensions

On average, women live longer than men. This is also reflected in pension assets, where women more often have lifetime annuity pensions, while men tend to have pensions that pay out more quickly. The assets are shown after tax to allow for a more accurate comparison between different types of pensions.
More about the figure
Last update
2.9.2024
Next update
27.6.2025
Source data

Data is collected from a variety of sources. Housing evaluation stems from the Danish property Assessment Authority but are adjusted to market values using sales statistics and the register on buildings and dwellings (BBR). Most data on financial assets and debt comes from the tax authorities. The value of cars is assessed by using used car sales prices from AutoBranchen Danmark and ownership of the cars are based on the car register. The pension data are collected from each of the 110 pension funds in close cooperation with the Danish National Bank and the tax authorities. The municipalities (mainly KMD) delivers data on postponed payments of real estate taxes. The Danish Debt Collection Agency (Gældsstyrelsen) delivers data on public debt. The assessment of the value of unquoted shares are done by Statistics Denmark in cooperation with the National Bank. It's mainly based on accounting statistics. The unquoted shares are distributed via the registers on ownership of businesses. LD delivers data on vacation funds.

Pension wealth at retirement age

Most people retire between the ages of 65 and 69. The growing pension wealth over the past decade may be due to higher retirement age, the expansion of pension contributions since the 1980s, and investment returns - which can vary from year to year.
More about the figure
Last update
2.9.2024
Next update
27.6.2025
Source data

Data is collected from a variety of sources. Housing evaluation stems from the Danish property Assessment Authority but are adjusted to market values using sales statistics and the register on buildings and dwellings (BBR). Most data on financial assets and debt comes from the tax authorities. The value of cars is assessed by using used car sales prices from AutoBranchen Danmark and ownership of the cars are based on the car register. The pension data are collected from each of the 110 pension funds in close cooperation with the Danish National Bank and the tax authorities. The municipalities (mainly KMD) delivers data on postponed payments of real estate taxes. The Danish Debt Collection Agency (Gældsstyrelsen) delivers data on public debt. The assessment of the value of unquoted shares are done by Statistics Denmark in cooperation with the National Bank. It's mainly based on accounting statistics. The unquoted shares are distributed via the registers on ownership of businesses. LD delivers data on vacation funds.

On the statistics – documentation, sources and method

Gain an overview of the purpose, contents and quality of the statistics. Learn about the data sources of the statistics, the contents of the statistics and how often they are published.

See the documentation of statistics to learn more:

Income Statistics

The purpose of the income statistics - is to provide statistics on the population's incomes and tax payments as well as the distribution of incomes. The statistics are useful in the field of social sciences and form the basis for effective policymaking in areas that affect the economic situation of the households. Statistics Denmark has published statistics on income since 1905 and has coherent time series going back to the 1980’s.

Personal assets and Liabilities

The purpose of the Wealth and Debt statistics is to provide insights into the wealth and debt of individuals, families, and various population groups. The statistics were first created in the aftermath of the financial crisis in collaboration with Danmarks Nationalbank (the Danish Central Bank) and were intended, among other things, to analyze families' resilience to economic shocks. Additionally, the statistics are used in analyses of the pension system and to measure economic inequality. The statistics have been produced since 2014.

Additional documentation

Need more data on Pension assets?

Search on your own in Statbank Denmark. Find more detailed figures on the distribution by age, gender, type of pension, and type of pension provider.

Contact

Jarl Christian Quitzau
Phone: +45 23 42 35 03