BeFrank facilitates variable pension benefits
10 January 2017
From the end of January 2017, pension scheme members at BeFrank can take preparatory steps for continued investments after the retirement date. BeFrank has developed new lifecycles to that end, with a modified risk reduction towards the retirement date.
The option of continued investments after the retirement date has arisen owing to the Defined Contribution Scheme Improvement Act (Wet verbeterde premieregeling) that became effective as of 1 September 2016. In the case of variable pension benefits, (part of) the pension capital continues to be invested after the retirement date. Continued investments offer members a chance of a higher pension and reduce the dependence of pension benefits on the market interest rate at any given time.
Investment horizon changes
If variable pension benefits are opted for, it is advisable to start taking this into account during the period of pension accrual, as this will change the investment horizon. This allows the investment mix to be continually aligned with the risk profile. It is advisable to opt for fixed or variable benefits in good time instead of waiting until the retirement date.
Support for pension scheme members
It is therefore important to bring this to the attention of pension scheme members, according to Marianne de Boer, director of BeFrank: ‘We encourage pension scheme members to fill in the profiling tool on their personal pension page in order to determine their risk profile. This has been expanded to reflect the introduction of the new lifecycles to help them to consider whether or not they want to take preparatory steps for continued investments after the retirement date. For us, this is not about getting everyone to continue to invest but about ensuring that everyone is aware of the choices on offer and considers them in good time.’
About BeFrank
BeFrank has been operating in the collective pension market since 2011 and is the Netherlands’ first Premium Pension Institution (PPI). BeFrank provides a clear pension, unambiguous communications, online services and low costs. BeFrank specialises in pension accrual and does not offer pension benefit products. It is part of the Delta Lloyd Group.
For more information, contact Isabelle van Ast.
Email: pers@befrank.nl, Tel: +31 (0)20 5621118.