Advancing Pension Reform: Macroeconomic, Fiscal and Financial Implications

Dates: November 6-7, 2026

Venue: ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai

Organizers: International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ShanghaiTech University

On November 6-7, 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ShanghaiTech University jointly organized international roundtables on “2027 Global Economic and Financial Outlook” and “Advancing Pension Reform: Macroeconomic, Fiscal and Financial Implications.”

The roundtables brought together experts from the IMF, international policy and academic communities, and China to discuss how pension systems can adapt to population aging and how countries can strengthen reform efforts.

The closed-door, by-invitation “Advancing Pension Reform: Macroeconomic, Fiscal and Financial Implications” Roundtable included eminent speakers such as Dr Zhou Xiaochuan, Former Governor, People’s Bank of China; Dr Min Zhu, Former Deputy Governor, People’s Bank of China and Former Deputy Managing Director, IMF; Dr Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director, IMF;  Dr Donglai Feng, President, ShanghaiTech University; Mr Tu Guangshao, Former Executive Mayor of Shanghai; and Professor Joe Cherian, President & Dean of the Asia School of Business.

Professor Joe Cherian’s talk drew on the US’s and Asia’s pension reform experiences to highlight key lessons for designing retirement systems that are financially sustainable while ensuring adequate, lifelong retirement income.