While acknowledging the diversity of European pension systems, the European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP) promotes the development of occupational pensions, meaning workplace-based supplementary and privately managed plans or schemes.

Occupational retirement plans are sponsored by companies as part of employee compensation or negotiated by the social partners under collective labour agreements. These collective schemes can be administered by pension funds – often governed by representatives of employers and employees – or commercial pension providers.   

EFRP represents the various national associations of pension funds and similar institutions for workplace pension provision. It affiliates associations in 16 EU member states and 5 other European countries, totalling 28 Member Associations. The occupational pension plans of about 75 million EU citizens are covered by EFRP Members. Through its Member Associations, the EFRP represents €3.5 trillion in assets (2007), managed for future workplace pension payments.

Within EFRP, the Central & Eastern European Countries Forum (CEEC Forum) has been established to discuss issues common to pension systems in that region. The CEEC Forum brings together 9 CEE countries.

Established in 1981, the EFRP has developed from a friendly circle of pension fund managers into a professional organisation. The Federation is consulted by the European institutions on initiatives in the field of supplementary pension provision. Today, EFRP is recognised as the leading voice on workplace pensions in Brussels.