Anja Mikus, the head of the state-owned nuclear fund Kenfo, is advocating for a greater focus on equities in the debate surrounding pension system reform. Mikus stated in an interview with Spiegel that a stronger orientation towards the capital market represents a genuine opportunity, particularly for the general public. She argues that a mandatory equity pension could help integrate all insured parties, even those with modest contributions.
The financial manager drew parallels to Sweden, whose state fund, AP7, is considered a model for capital-backed retirement provision. According to Mikus, the Swedish example demonstrates that public acceptance increases when people understand how effectively the system is working.
Mikus has led Kenfo since 2017. The state fund recently managed approximately 26.5 billion euros, and its long-term mission is to finance the interim and final storage of radioactive waste from Germany’s decommissioned nuclear power plants by the end of the century.
