Europe RESAVER: supporting researcher mobility across Europe

What is RESAVER?

Why does RESAVER matter for researchers?

Who can benefit from RESAVER?

A practical tool for a more attractive European Research Area

Support the initiative on pension rights for researchers

RESAVER: Supporting Secure and Mobile Research Careers Across Europe

International mobility has become an integral part of many research careers. Researchers move between universities, research organisations, companies and countries to develop new collaborations, gain expertise and contribute to scientific innovation.

Yet behind these professional opportunities lies a practical challenge: how can researchers preserve their long-term social rights, particularly supplementary pension rights, when moving between countries, employers or sectors?

This is precisely the challenge that RESAVER was created to address. The initiative provides research organisations and their employees with a pan-European supplementary pension solution specifically designed to support mobile research careers.

A European Pension Fund Designed for Mobile Researchers

Created with the support of the European Commission, RESAVER (Retirement Savings Vehicle for European Research Institutions) is a supplementary pension fund tailored to the realities of international research careers.

Its goal is simple: enable employees of participating organisations to continue building supplementary pension savings within a single European framework, even when they move between countries or institutions.

Rather than managing multiple pension arrangements under different national systems, RESAVER participants accumulate their supplementary pension rights through one common European scheme.

Why Does RESAVER Matter for Researchers?

Mobility is widely recognised as one of the strengths of research careers. It enables researchers to develop international networks, access cutting-edge infrastructures and participate in interdisciplinary collaborations. However, mobility should not come at the expense of long-term social protection.

Portable pension rights are not merely a technical issue. They are also a question of career attractiveness, talent retention and fair working conditions.

By ensuring continuity in supplementary pension rights, RESAVER removes one of the practical barriers that may discourage researchers from pursuing opportunities abroad or moving between sectors throughout their careers.

In this respect, RESAVER complements ABG's mission of supporting career development while contributing to more attractive, secure and sustainable research careers across Europe.

Who Can Benefit from RESAVER?

RESAVER is a multi-country, multi-employer pension fund open to research-performing organisations and higher education institutions.

The scheme is not limited to researchers alone. It is available to all employees of participating organisations, including:

• Researchers employed on local contracts;
• International researchers coming from outside the European Economic Area;
• Administrative, technical and support staff;
• Employees of universities and research institutions.

Each participating organisation defines its own contribution policy, allowing employees to build supplementary pension savings alongside their statutory pension rights.

A Practical Tool for a More Attractive European Research Area

Beyond its practical value, RESAVER contributes to a broader European discussion on the future of research careers.

Portable social rights are increasingly recognised as an essential condition for attracting, retaining and supporting research and innovation talent across Europe.

RESAVER was explicitly recognised in the Council Recommendation of December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe. The Recommendation encourages the promotion of solutions offered by RESAVER, notably because the scheme guarantees the absence of vesting periods and asset transfer fees.

In this perspective, RESAVER can be viewed as a concrete instrument for supporting mobility, strengthening career continuity and enhancing the attractiveness of research careers throughout Europe.

Are You a Research or Innovation Organisation?

Higher education institutions, research organisations, companies involved in R&D and other employers of research-related staff may wish to explore how RESAVER can complement existing human resources policies and support international mobility strategies.

Support the Initiative on Pension Rights for Researchers

Research and innovation organisations are invited to sign the RESAVER Support Statement and join a collective effort to strengthen portable pension rights for researchers across Europe. Signing the statement is an opportunity to express support for more secure, attractive and mobile research careers, while contributing to the broader discussion on the future of the European Research Area.