NETHERLANDS – The PVK, the pensions and insurance regulator which is in the process of merging with the Dutch central bank, says it is too soon to name the insurer to whom it will outsource its pension assets.

Pensioen- & Verzekeringskamer spokesman Hermann Schipholt has confirmed that the regulator might close its pension fund and outsource its assets to an insurance company. The move would follow its planned merger with de Nederlandsche Bank - and the closure would possibly happen afterwards, he told IPE.

Schipholt added it was still too early to name the insurance company which would be in charge of the pension fund’s assets. Centraal Beheer Achmea currently manages the assets.

Achmea’s marketing manager Wouter Meyers said it was not Achmea’s policy to comment on clients. He also pointed out that any statement on the chance of PVK changing its pension arrangement should be up to Centraal Beheer Achmea, which is directly involved with the pension fund.

Centraal Beheer Achmea’s management was not available for comment.

The merger has created controversy in the Netherlands, with critics focusing on “excessive” management pensions.

One of the reasons for the PVK changing its pension arrangement was the discussions members of parliament have had on the need to “place some distance between the pension fund and Central Bank,” Schipholt said.

Meanwhile, Achmea’s division which prepares workers to re-enter the jobs market has named Tjeerd Hulsman as new director.

Hulsman, 49, is to take up the job at Achmea Arbo en Argonaut on October 1. He succeeds Evert de Glint, 47, who is to leave Achmea at the end of September.

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