All articles by Mariska van der Westen – Page 3
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NewsDutch rapporteur aims to limit European interference in pensions
MP Pieter Omtzigt to seek support of 'natural allies' Germany, Ireland and UK.
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NewsDutch pension funds: Big ain't so beautiful
Since 2007, the number of Dutch pension funds has declined by about a third.
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Country Report
The Netherlands: Reforms on track
With as much as 40% of the Dutch population likely to face retirement benefit cuts of 1-3% from next year, the issue of pension provision has become a top priority in the portfolio of Minister Henk Kamp. He presides over the department of social affairs and labour, “but from the ...
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Country Report
The Netherlands: Big is beautiful – up to a point
Mariska van der Westen and Miranda Schoutsen report on the growing trend of Dutch pension fund consolidation. What is the optimum size for a pension scheme?
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Features
Big ain’t so beautiful
Since 2007, the number of Dutch pension funds has declined by about a third as more and more, predominantly small, corporate pension funds have disappeared and the total is predicted to drop to 100 by 2014.
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News
Dutch pension scheme ABP to cut participants' benefits by 0.5%
Cuts to apply to active participants and retirees, subject to regulatory approval.
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Features
DNB’s new interest-rate average will limit cuts
The Dutch Pension Federation, and the largest pension funds, ABP, PFZW and PMT, cautiously welcomed the pensions regulator’s recent decision to adopt a three-month interest-rate average to calculate the yield curve.
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News40% of Dutch population facing pension benefit cuts, central bank says
Pensions regulator to cap cuts at 7% to 'prevent further loss of confidence' in sector.
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NewsABP divests from Walmart, PetroChina over 'violation' of UN principles
Walmart's labour practices and activities of PetroChina parent company cited.
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NewsI polder, you polder
Just how effective has the Dutch 'polder' approach to pensions reform been?
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NewsDutch pension funds beat benchmarks over last decade despite two crises
Between 2000 and 2010, schemes return 4.8% on average against benchmarks' 4.6%, says DNB.
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News€240bn ABP to consider benefit cuts if financial situation fails to improve
Trustees to decide on 'additional measures' if no improvement seen by 31 December.
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NewsNutreco transfers DC pension arrangements to Robeco PPI
Main scheme for Dutch units to be transferred to insurance company Aegon from 1 January.
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Features
Dutch fiduciaries maintain their guard
Fiduciary managers foresee greater demand for inflation-linked strategies and give a cautious welcome to some aspects of a still vague pension deal, writes Mariska van der Westen
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Features
I polder, you polder
In October, the Dutch pension system was named the best in the world for the third year running by the Melbourne Mercer Global Pension index. But despite its top ranking, the Dutch system scored less on adequacy and sustainability than the previous year and its overall index value slipped from 78.3 to 77.9. In the Netherlands, as elsewhere, pension provision is under threat from a rising tide of troubles, including an ageing (and long-lived) population, low interest rates and fretful financial markets.
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News
'Modular' fiduciary management gaining ground over wholesale mandates
Survey shows strong increase in modular mandates, while funds opting for full mandates declined.
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News
Pension funds need to become "more inventive", says Princeton's Malkiel
Economist behind ‘random walk’ hypothesis says governments will forcibly keep interest rates low.
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NewsMarjolein Sol resigns as CIO at Dutch pensions manager Syntrus Achmea
Sol to be replaced by Rogier Krens on 1 January 2012 after just a year and a half on the job.
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NewsMajority of Dutch pensions professionals oppose switch to new system – survey
80% believe participants should be able to insure against lower-than-expected results.
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NewsBlue Sky's Van der Stee: Cut those benefits, already!
Dutch trustees must 'take responsibility' and cuts benefits if their schemes are under water.
