All articles by Mariska van der Westen
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Features
Reform saga continues
The long and winding tale of Dutch pension reform entered a new chapter in July, when the council of ministers signed off on a consultation document outlining changes to Dutch pension legislation, in particular the financial assessment framework (FTK).
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Special Report
Securities Services: KAS Bank: ‘We call it custody 2.0’
Over recent years custody has changed drastically from simple safekeeping to high-tech data management, says Albert Röell, CEO of KAS Bank, and custodians sit, like spiders, at the center of a web of data trade and position data.
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News
Kas to launch custody platform with 'international appeal'
NETHERLANDS – Bank aims to capitalise on custodians’ new role as information management hub.
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Special Report
Investment Solutions: Spiralling into control
Mariska van der Westen surveys the Dutch fiduciary management landscape. Pension funds are requiring providers to tailor their services and regaining control of the investment chain, as yesterday’s fashions fall out of favour and old models gain popularity once more
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News
Experts call for 'combi-contract' in Dutch Pensions Act
NETHERLANDS – Speakers at IPN event express surprise at removal from government’s programme.
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NewsDutch schemes should take supervision conclusions to heart – DNB
NETHERLANDS – Dutch regulator says quality of visitation reports must also be improved.
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NewsDutch giant PGGM in talks to acquire A&O Services
NETHERLANDS – Parties in exclusive talks to hammer out 'contours' of acquisition.
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Features
Surviving in a fat-tail world
According to Nassim Taleb, we are living in a fat-tail world where extreme events are common, while our ability to predict them is nil. Mariska van der Westen asked him how pension funds can survive in such an environment
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News
Robeco wins second-annual Golden Stiletto award
NETHERLANDS – Award recognises organisations that help promote position of women in industry.
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NewsObituary: John van Markwijk, CIO of Dutch fund PME
NETHERLANDS – Socially committed and politically engaged Markwijk passed away last weekend.
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NewsDutch pension fund assets top €1trn
NETHERLANDS – Aon Hewitt questions sustainability of UFR in long term, as coverage ratios rise.
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Features
Whistling in the dark
Starting this month, the Dutch are implementing wholesale benefit cuts. It’s brutal. The Dutch central bank has calculated that the cuts will affect 2m active employees, 1.1m retirees and 2.5m deferred pension plan participants – well over a third of the total population of 16.7m.
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NewsSystem risk top concern for Dutch pensions industry, poll finds
NETHERLANDS – Superviser risk ranks second among pension funds in IPNederland straw poll.
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NewsDutch regulator seeks to 'economise' pension arrangements for employees
NETHERLANDS – Mandate involves development of new arrangement, advising on negotiations with unions.
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News
Survey shows waning interest in fiduciary management in Netherlands
NETHERLANDS – Pension funds less likely to outsource asset management, IPNederland survey shows.
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NewsFormer Dutch prime minister Lubbers to speak at IPE Awards
IPE – Champion of sustainability to give keynote address at IPE Awards Seminar in Copenhagen.
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NewsUS economy: On path to recovery no matter who wins
Former Clinton adviser says housing construction, chemical industry especially attractive.
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NewsABP: New Dutch government's plans could slash pensions
NETHERLANDS – Scheme criticises plans to cap tax relief for pension savings.
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Features
New twist in Dutch pension reform
On 24 September, the long, drawn-out process of Dutch pension reform took a new turn when state secretary for social affairs and labour Paul de Krom unveiled the so-called ‘September package’, a comprehensive set of new rules for pension funds. The package seeks to flesh out labour minister Henk Kamp’s ...
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Features
Voluntary reform?
Last month the Dutch caretaker government introduced a new set of rules for pension funds designed to avert dramatic benefit cuts and contribution hikes. The so-called ‘September package’ represents a typical Dutch compromise – it offers something for everyone, everything for no-one, and nothing for free.
