IPE's Netherlands Coverage – Page 147
-
AnalysisNews analysis: Dutch pension system stands at crossroads
NETHERLANDS – What nobody had thought possible for the much-praised Dutch pension system, until recently, has become reality. With several pension funds announcing benefits cuts, the sector – dominated by its capital-funded mandatory pension schemes – has just entered a new phase.
-
NewsDutch roundup: SPOA, SNPF, PFZW
NETHERLANDS – The pension funds for Dutch public pharmacists (SPOA) and notaries (SNPF) have announced early benefits cuts of 5% and 2%, respectively, that will occur on 1 January 2011.
-
NewsDutch government contributed to schemes' poor health – pension experts
NETHERLANDS – Dutch government policy has contributed to the poor financial position of most pension funds, pension experts have claimed.
-
NewsDutch watchdog AFM says structural decrease of pension benefits 'inevitable'
NETHERLANDS – The lack of funding and recovery potential at many pension funds is so great that many schemes will be unable to avoid a structural decrease of existing pension benefits, according to Hans Hoogervorst, chairman at communication watchdog AFM.
-
NewsPension schemes at Nutreco, Nedmag avoid early benefits cuts
NETHERLANDS – The €272m pension fund of animal food producer Nutreco said it has avoided early benefits cuts, but added that it could not rule out a discount in 2012.
-
NewsParticipants in Smit pension scheme drop legal action
NETHERLANDS – The €200m pension fund of maritime service provider Smit Internationale will no longer need to cut benefits by more than 13% after its participants accepted a €30m additional contribution offered by Boskalis, the company's new owner.
-
NewsLongevity uncertainty may force Dutch giant ABP to increase contributions
NETHERLANDS – The €231bn Dutch civil service scheme ABP may need to raise its contributions to more than 21.4% next year following new longevity predictions.
-
NewsBoskalis offers Smit pension scheme additional €30m
NETHERLANDS – Dredging company Boskalis, the new owner of Dutch maritime service provider Smit Internationale, has offered the ailing Smit pension scheme €30m to stave off a 13.2% benefits cut.
-
NewsKamp resists call to change Dutch pension funds' discount rate
NETHERLANDS – Dutch social affairs minister Henk Kamp has insisted the discount rate for pension funds' liabilities should remain unchanged until there is clarity on the new pension contracts early next year.
-
NewsDutch metal scheme PME to avoid early benefits cut
NETHERLANDS – The €23.7bn Dutch metal scheme PME has said it will not apply early benefits cuts on 1 January 2011.
-
NewsDutch pension funds should cut benefits by 8% on average, says OECD
NETHERLANDS – Restoring the financial health of Dutch pension funds will require an average benefits cut of 8% and a two-year increase of the retirement age to 67, Aart-Jan de Geus has argued.
-
NewsPhilips pension scheme returns 6% in Q3
NETHERLANDS – The €14.3bn pension fund for Dutch electronics giant Philips has managed to keep its coverage ratio at 111% during the third quarter, returning 6% on investments over the period.
-
NewsPNO Media aims for profit by slashing interest hedge
NETHERLANDS – The €3.3bn Dutch pension fund PNO Media has decreased the interest hedge on its liabilities by one-third to profit from expected interest rate increases.
-
NewsDutch pension schemes to cut pension benefits by 6%
NETHERLANDS – The pension fund for the Dutch paint and printing ink industry and the scheme of building company Ballast Nedam are set to apply early benefits cuts for all of their participants at the beginning of next year.
-
NewsDutch pension scheme for dentists to cut benefits by 9%
NETHERLANDS – The €1.4bn occupational pension fund for dentists (SPT) has announced a benefits cut of at least 9% to recover from a funding shortfall.
-
NewsSmit Internationale pension scheme facing more benefits cuts
NETHERLANDS – The €200m pension fund of Dutch maritime service provider Smit Internationale is facing another benefits cut – in addition to the 13.2% discount it already must apply at the end of this year.
-
NewsRabobank scheme touts risk management at Dutch funding hearing
NETHERLANDS – Pension funds must pay maximum attention to risk management – and to extreme risks in particular – if they are to be fully prepared for potential shocks, according to Bernard Walschots, chief financial officer at Rabobank's €12bn pension fund.
-
NewsDutch fund PGB doubles return with interest, currency hedges
NETHERLANDS – The €11.3bn pension fund for the Dutch printing industry PGB saw its return over the first nine months almost double to 13% thanks to an extensive interest and currency hedge.
-
NewsSolvency II rules could increase pension contributions by 30%, says Dutch minister
EUROPE – Contributions could soar by as much as 30% if Solvency II rules are applied to pension schemes, according to Paul de Krom, the new Dutch minister of social affairs and labour.
-
NewsDutch maritime fund threatens 13.2% benefits cut
NETHERLANDS – The €200m pension fund of Dutch maritime service provider Smit Internationale has said it intends to cut pension benefits by 13.2% if its sponsoring company refuses to make additional contributions.
