THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF VOLUNTARY PENSION INSURANCE IN BULGARIA

The aim of the study is to characterise the overall state and outline the development opportunities of voluntary pension insurance in Bulgaria. Research publications and officially disclosed empirical data for the period 2002 – 2024 have been used. The study examines changes in the number of insured individuals, the amount of the insurance contribution and the accumulated funds, the achieved returns, the share of net assets relative to GDP and to the total amount of household deposits, as well as the growth rates of managed assets and the amount of the insurance contribution compared to the growth rates of GDP, the average insurance income, and the amount of household deposits. It is concluded that voluntary pension insurance has not managed to provoke the desired widespread interest. The possible reasons for this are identified, and suggestions for its future development are outlined.