The pension system is undergoing a major overhaul. This means that both employees and pensioners will soon be faced with a lot of questions. That is why pension funds and pension administrators like APG need to adopt a more coaching role. That is what APG CEO Gerard van Olphen said at the Pensioen Pro Annual Conference, a platform for knowledge- sharing in the pension sector.
With the arrival of the new pension system, things are going to change for employees and pensioners. Their pension contributions will still be invested, but the amount of their pension will no longer be fixed because it will fluctuate with both the pension contributions invested and the investment results achieved. And that will also become much clearer: as a member you will soon have your own pension account into which your pension premium will be paid. You will save for yourself, see the fluctuations in your own pension pot and thus become more aware of the risks.
Will I be able to maintain the same lifestyle I have now?
All these changes will undoubtedly raise questions among both employees and pensioners, Van Olphen said: “That’s why companies in the pension sector need to look very closely from the perspective of those members. Much more than they are doing now. They will need to respond to a variety of wishes and questions. For example, people expect us not only to invest their money well, but also to explain and account for it in very understandable language. And people also want to know how much net retirement income they can count on now and in the future.” Not in a complicated way: split into OAP, employer’s pension and their own income from investments, for example, but simply the total. You want to get an idea of whether you can continue to live in the same neighborhood later on, whether you’ll still be able to go on vacation with your family, like you’re doing now. Pension funds should be more aware that it’s all about people’s financial fitness. Whether they will be able to maintain the same lifestyle they have now."
Employees’ and retirees’ right to care
These questions become even more relevant when people are confronted with moments of great joy or great sadness, e.g. moving in together, having children, divorce or the death of a loved one. Van Olphen: “That’s exactly when people are left with many questions, including about the consequences for their pension. Sometimes they can turn to their employer or trade union, but for pension companies such as APG, I believe there is also a clear task. And it’s better if we don’t wait for people to approach us with their questions; rather, we can approach them proactively if something has changed for them that affects their income or pension. Employees and pensioners are entitled to our care.” He feels that although pension funds do not have a duty of care, their members do have a “right to care”.
Better grip on money matters
Pension funds and pension administrators will have their hands full with the transition to the new pension system in the coming years. It is complicated, new regulations have to be put in place, IT systems are being overhauled, and so on. With the possible risk that this leaves too little attention for their members, Van Olphen warned. “I think pension companies like APG should strive to ensure that the new pension will soon be easy for every member to understand. Transparent, and easy to understand. That also means that we need to act more like a coach. There will be a real need for that.” This role of coach in and of itself is not new to APG: one of the pillars of APG’s strategy is to be an “experienced guide” who helps employees and pensioners with their financial future; sometimes directly, sometimes via the pension funds that are clients. Providing them with customized advice on all their financial affairs. An example of this is the APG platform Kandoor (link: www.kandoor.nl), where APG answers more than fifty thousand financial questions a month. Not only about pensions, but also about matters such as rent allowance, severance plans, taxes, OAP, debt assistance, etc.
Still on the right track financially?
Van Olphen emphasizes that the role of coach he is envisioning is different from that of financial advisor: “We already have enough financial institutions that you can turn to for advice and various financial products. We should not aspire to that role. But we can help participants if they are unsure about something, if they want a quick check to see whether something is right or wrong. Whether or not they are still on track financially.” He thinks it’s right that people make high demands on their pension fund: “As a pension sector, we may think that we have the best pension system in the world in the Netherlands, but that’s really not how employees and pensioners see it. They are now being given a new pension system in which they are given more responsibility and run more risk. Not everyone is excited about that. People want to understand what will happen to their pension, they want to feel safe with their fund. It’s up to us to appropriately respond to that with integrity, regarding the new pension contract.”