NETHERLANDS -- Opinion on the need for a specialised Dutch pensions ministry is sharply divided.

This was the clear message from the ‘Politicians’ Conference’ organised by the Dutch Foundation of Pension Specialists (KPS). Representatives of political parties and social partners spoke on the theme “The Netherlands needs one specialised Ministry of Pensions”.

Pierre Akkermans, KPS chairman and director Deloitte Pension Consulting, said that the theme had been suggested by recent upheavals in the current pensions sector, largely forced upon the players by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance. When asked to vote on which of the two Ministries should be primarily responsible for the pensions sector, the audience was almost equally divided. A further significant number said they would opt for an independent Minister of Pensions.

Rob ten Wolde, director of AZL, a leading Dutch pensions manager, said the current situation, with the Ministry of Social Affairs holding the pensions portfolio, should be maintained. This is largely because secondary pensions are a matter which involve social partners, with the government playing only a stabilising role. Ten Wolde warned that changes to the current arrangement would lead to further destabilisation and insecurity. He also said that if pensions were to fall under the umbrella of the Minister of Finance, the Netherlands would get a “controlled pension policy”, which was undesirable.

In contrast, Herman Kappelle, professor in fiscal pension law at the Free University of Amsterdam, said that pensions should form part of the portfolio of the Ministry of Finance (MoF). He said that already, pensions sector issues are governed by MoF departments or institutes. Furthermore, most changes are purely tax-orientated, which again comes under the MoF umbrella. Integrating pensions issues and control into the MoF’s brief would be easy.

As a whole, the social groups and politicians mainly supported this latter view. Dissent came from Stef Blok, Liberal Party MP, who wants a total change of the sector, leaving the remnants in the hands of the MoF, and a reduction in the powers of social partners.

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