Unification of the supervisory bodies - March 1 , 2003

1. Pension insurance challenges – Bulgaria in the context of the forthcoming EU accessionApostol Apostolov – Chairman of the Financial Supervision CommissionSofia, February 16-172005

2. Unification of the supervisory bodies - March 1, 2003 • Three supervisory bodies (securities and capital market, insurance and pension insurance) united into the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) • The new government body exercises supervision over the following non-banking financial institutions: - issuers, broker dealers and investment companies - insurers, insurance brokers and agents - pension insurance companies and the pension funds under their administration.

3. Advantages of the unified supervision • Institutional independence of the supervisory body • Integrated information regarding the financial entities’ activity • Simplified exchange of information, more efficient solutions to the specific tasks facing each division • Unified efforts and coordinated actions and measures

4. Objectives of the FSC • Protection of the interests of investors, insurers and the members • Securing stability, transparency, trust and normal operation of the financial markets • Maintaining of a loyal and regulated market competition • On-going supervision over the functioning of financial institutions in compliance with the law

5. Financial Stability Consultative Council • Consultative body with the participation of the Minister of Finance, the FSC and the Bulgarian National Bank • Cooperates for the creation of a unified policy, cooperation and coordination between the Council members’ actions • Provides exchange of information between the Council members • Provides assistance for the security, stability and development of the financial markets • Cooperates for the perfection and improved efficiency of supervision over the participants on the financial markets

6. 2004 annual progress report for Bulgaria by the European Commission Positive assessment for: • the implementation of the country’s commitments in the field of the non-banking financial sector • the creation and operation of the Financial Supervision Commission • the creation and operation of the Financial Stability Consultative Council

7. Challenges facing the FSC • Introduction of EU practices, standards and legislation • Cooperation and exchange of information between the supervisory bodies and the member states • Participation in the work of the future Commission of the supervisory bodies of the EU member states for the purpose of stimulating the cooperation, coordination and exchange of information between the competent bodies • Studying and analysis of the regulatory requirements regarding pension insurance in the member states

8. Pension insurance in Bulgaria • The pension funds (PF) – big institutional investors with significant contribution for the development of the national economy • Stability and growth in the sector: • Growing relative share of the PFs’ net assets/GDP 2,46 % (September 30, 2004) • Growing number of participants - 2 636 090 persons (September 30, 2004)

9. EU accession and challenges for the Bulgarian pension model Improvement of the legislation • Analysis and transposition of the EU legislation into the national one

10. Forthcoming amendments to the legislation Harmonization of the Bulgarian social insurance legislation with the provisions of: • Directive 2003/41/ECregarding the activity and supervision of the professional pension insurance institutions • Directive 98/49/ECregarding the securing of additional pension rights for the employed and self-employed persons during their movement within the borders of the European Community • Directive 86/378/EC regarding the introduction of the principle for equal treatment of men and women in the pension insurance schemes

11. Directions for amendments to the legislation • Diversification of the pension schemes with the introduction of occupational pension insurance schemes • Creation of opportunities for cross-border cooperation of the institutions – mutual acknowledgement of licenses, issued by the competent body in the respective member state

12. Directions for amendments to the legislation (2) • Mutual acknowledgement of the regulatory principles implemented in the member states • Solving of the problems regarding the payment of life-long, survivor and disability pensions • Opportunities for participation of other financial institutions in supplementary pension insurance – insurance, annuity and other financial companies

13. Challenges facing the business • Successful actions in a competitive environment • Introduction of EU customer-service standards • Understanding of the pension legislation that is effective in the member states • Coordination in the implementation of pension insurance schemes for employed persons and the members of their families, who move within the borders of the Community under Council Regulation № 1408/71.

14. Challenges facing the insured persons and pensioners • Building of skills for orientation and choice within a competitive environment • Acquiring knowledge regarding pension insurance – necessity for broad-scope educational initiatives for the insured persons and pensioners

15. Thank You for Your attention!