The Schroders Global Investment Survey report shows a significant strategic shift involving $13 trillion in retirement fund investment assets, with 94% of respondents already invested or planning to allocate funds to the private markets, especially in areas such as private debt, private equity (PE), and renewable infrastructure projects. This is because retirement funds are seeking long-term investment opportunities related to energy transition and technological innovation. In fact, energy transition is the top priority for global retirement funds, with 93% of respondents already investing or planning to do so in the near future. Schroders Global Investment commissioned CoreData Research to survey 420 retirement fund managers from around the world in June and July 2024. This year's survey results show how retirement funds are diversifying their investments, focusing on energy transition, and positioning themselves in the global stock market to capture long-term growth opportunities. Demand for global stocks by retirement funds is also strong, with 55% increasing their allocations to capture investment opportunities in high-growth markets and industries. This trend highlights a shift in global active investment management strategies, providing experienced fund managers the flexibility to allocate across markets freely, potentially adding extra returns to investment portfolios. In fact, active investment management still plays a crucial role, with 70% of respondents preferring the professional investment methods offered by active fund managers. Their expertise may lead to excess returns, particularly when focusing on specific industries, regions, investment styles, or themes. There are significant regional differences in fixed income investments, with the Asia-Pacific region showing a preference for asset-backed securities (ABS), while Europe has a greater demand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) bonds influenced by local economy and regulations. At the same time, there is a significant rise in the application of artificial intelligence, with 91% of retirement funds leveraging AI in business operations to improve efficiency and drive decision-making in a new era driven by technology.