Women in Super

Pictured: photo of the Women in Super steering committee with Jo Kowalczyk, keynote speaker at the 2026 Women in Super workshop and Erin Harris of the Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI)

How the Initiative Began
Women in Super was established following a regional diagnostic study on retirement equality conducted in 2022. The study examined the barriers preventing many women in the Pacific from accessing or benefiting fully from superannuation and pension systems. Its findings were presented to the PIIF CEO Forum, which endorsed the creation of the Women in Super working group to address these challenges across member funds.

The development of the initiative was supported by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), which helped guide the early research and program design.

Purpose of the Program
The Women in Super network aims to strengthen retirement outcomes for women across the Pacific by encouraging collaboration between funds and promoting practical solutions that can be implemented within national retirement systems. The program focuses on sharing experiences, developing new approaches, and supporting funds to better serve women throughout their working lives and into retirement.

Key Focus Areas
The work of the Women in Super network is guided by three core resolutions endorsed by the PIIF CEO Forum:

1. Sex-disaggregated data
   Improving the collection and reporting of gender-based data to better understand participation and retirement outcomes.

2. Engagement with the informal economy
   Expanding access to retirement savings for workers outside formal employment through voluntary contribution pathways and inclusive product design.

3. Financial and retirement literacy
   Strengthening awareness and understanding of retirement savings across Pacific communities.

Who Is Involved
Women in Super is made up of representatives from PIIF member funds across the Pacific region, including pension funds, provident funds, sovereign wealth funds, and trust funds. The network is supported by the PIIF Women in Super Steering Committee and works closely with regional partners, including PSDI and other development partners.

Regional Workshops and Collaboration
Each year, Women in Super participants gather for workshops and work attachments hosted by a member fund. These sessions allow participants to share experiences, learn from operational practices, and develop practical strategies that can be applied within their respective funds. Workshops also provide an opportunity to review progress against the network’s resolutions and identify priorities for future work.

Link to the PIIF CEO Forum
The work of the Women in Super network feeds directly into the PIIF CEO Forum. Insights, progress updates, and recommendations developed through the network are presented to the CEOs of member funds to inform regional collaboration and policy direction.

Looking Ahead
Through ongoing collaboration, shared learning, and practical action, the Women in Super network continues to strengthen retirement systems across the Pacific, ensuring that women are better supported to build financial security for the future.