July 7: The pension agreement as agreed upon by the unions - the administration and the empolyer has been presented by minister Koolmees to the Tweede Kamer. Here the contents (in Dutch). The next step is to convert the agreement into legislation and regulations. The intended entry into force is January 1, 2023 and will be included in the Pension contracts as of January 1, 2026.
July 1: Plan VCP for solution of compensation problem
The problem of compensation for the various groups is clearly presented and a solution is proposed by VCP (our umbrella union on national level). In the current proposal, it is left to the social partners per company / pension fund to arrange something for the people who will lose part of their pension rights with the new system. Furthermore, employees may encounter problems when they change jobs and / or pension funds or insurers. This problem can be solved through an equalization fund via the government, the proposal of VCP. The unions and employers are in favor, but politics are against. Hopefully there will be room to get this VCP proposal back on the table.
More detailed information (excuse, is in Dutch):
June 18: Position of VCP, "we don't say Yes, compensation gap has to be solved"
On Friday morning our umbrella union VCP has taken their position, based on the positions of the member unions, like Synergo.
Publication VCP: https://www.vcp.nl/vcp-zegt-geen-ja-tegen-uitwerking-pensioenakkoord/
The objections in more detail bezwaren toegelicht, en oplossing
June 17: Position of Synergo, "Yes, unless compensation gap will be solved"
Brief met standpunt Synergo gericht aan VCP
June 17: Webinar VCP video
Vandaag heeft de VCP een webinar gehouden over de uitwerking van het Pensioenakkoord. Wij bieden u graag de gelegenheid om het webinar terug te kijken. Via onderstaande link komt u in het bericht op onze website waarin de uitzending is opgenomen:
https://www.vcp.nl/webinar-uitwerking-pensioenakkoord/
June 16: Pension comittee advises
The Synergo Pension Committee has assessed the proposed pension agreement. Not a small task given the complexity of the matter, and the fact that many practical matters still need to be detailed. Members of the Board and the Ledenraad were also present to reach a widely supported opinion.
Summary of the main findings:
- the new pension system is an improvement, better reflects the actual results and assets of the pension fund, and the different age groups are allocated more fairly,
- the system offers scope for compensating the participants who are initially negative affected by deletion of the average system (doorsneesystematiek), the over -40s. However, this compensation must be worked out at pension fund level, in our view this offers too little guarantee that this will indeed be arranged properly. This is a major shortcoming in our opinion. The pension scheme with insurers is also not yet optimally guaranteed.
- This leads to the conclusion that we, as a committee, advise the board positively on the new system, with the proviso that a solution will be provided to compensate the groups that are affected by deletion of the average system.
June 13: Breaking news;
A negotiation result has finally been reached, the unions are going to present this to the members. The media mention about an agreement, our fellow unions FNV and CNV want to quickly present the 'agreement' to their members. The VCP acts more careful, VCP will first test the result internally against the set goals. At6 the moment, webinars and video conferences are organized, and consultation of the affiliated associations. Our members will receive a newsletter.
Previous message:
The basics of a new national Pension system was concluded after long discussions in mid-2019. Why, the average age is increasing. This increases the pension costs. The labor market also changes and employees change jobs more often. It is important that the pension system is in line with this. That is why the Cabinet mid 2019 has concluded a pension agreement with employee and employer organizations with agreements on pensions and AOW.
The translation to practical rules and legislation takes place in working groups in which the unions are also represented, for our target group via the VCP. The low actuarial interest rate and strict regulations however would result in a disproportionate increase in the pension contribution or a considerably lower pension perspective.
It look like they have found a way out by not basing the calculations on the actuarial interest rate, but on the anticipated return on the pension fund investments. Our pension committee follows developments closely. More details (in Dutch):
De draai van rekenrente naar beleggingsresultaat, artikel in Financieel Dagblad dd. 25 mei 2020
De 4e pensioen nieuwsbrief van de VCP, over het landelijke onderhandelingsproces