New figures show that the value of Irish pension funds grew by 11% in 2012 to €80.5 billion from €72.3 billion in 2011.
The Irish Association of Pension Funds' (IAPF) Annual Investment Survey reveals that a strong performance across international equity and fixed income markets drove much of the improvement.
The growth came despite the Government's levy on savings which took out almost €500m last year.
The survey shows that €50.5 billion or 63% of total assets were managed on behalf of defined benefit schemes while €30 billion or 37% of total scheme assets were managed on behalf of defined contribution schemes.
Other survey findings included the fact that equities made up 47% of total defined benefit scheme assets in 2012 compared to 52% in 2011 and 59% in 2010.
It also said that the allocation to long dated bonds continues to grow, reaching 69% in 2012 compared to 58% in 2011.
