GERMANY – HDI Pensionsmanagement - a member company of German insurance giant the Talanx Group - has joined the specialised international group pension network, Aegon Pension Network.

An Aegon spokesperson told IPE that HDI “is the first external entity to join the network”, which is quite “unique”. Other members of the Network all fall under the Aegon umbrella.

The addition of occupational pension plan specialist HDI gives the network a presence in Germany for the very first time. The network also covers France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, the UK and US.

The spokesperson stated that there are currently plans to expand and incorporate more external members into the network. Expansion opportunities are currently being considered in Italy and the Nordic countries.

“We are pleased to welcome HDI Pensionsmanagement to the Aegon Pension Network,” said Aegon Pension Network managing director Frans van der Horst.

“Together we look to provide companies operating in diverse geographic markets specific solutions and greater flexibility to better manage their employee pension plans.”

The Network was established in 2005 with the assistance of its French mutual life assurance partner La Mondiale (in which it has a 35% stake), and with the co-operation of Aegon’s UK, Dutch and American arms.

This was the first international network dedicated to providing specialized cross-border group pensions solutions for multi-national corporate clients and their employees, said a statement released today.

It provides corporate customers with, amongst others, reporting, asset pooling, customised local benefit provision and expatriate solutions.