Personal attention
APG can play a key supporting role for pension fund boards in this regard. Because of its many years of experience, APG is very knowledgeable about all facets relating to pensions; facets such as legislation and regulations, pension asset management, communication, and administration. We use our knowledge to enable the pension funds of our clients to function as optimally as possible. We continuously analyze developments in the area of pensions and, both when asked and on our own initiative, advise pension funds about the consequences of these developments. Since personal attention is our overriding priority, we regularly meet with pension fund board members, and members of our Executive Board attend such meetings if necessary.
Own account team
APG provides a broad package of support services. The proper composition of these services is determined in close consultation with the pension fund concerned. Close cooperation is the priority in this regard. Each pension fund therefore has its own account team at APG. Every account team is thoroughly aware of the situation of the pension fund to which it has been assigned. This makes it possible for us to provide services that are perfectly tailored to the pension fund’s requirements and wishes.
Implementation of new legislation and regulations
A great deal has changed in recent years with respect to legislation and regulations governing pensions. An example in this regard is the recently concluded pension agreement. APG monitors these changes very closely and keeps a tight watch on developments in The Hague and Brussels on behalf of its clients. We are therefore able to identify changes in legislation and regulations in good time and translate these changes into policy. We inform each pension fund about these changes and specify their consequences in terms of the pension fund’s asset management, administration, and communication. Together, we draw up a plan of action for implementation.
Pension asset management: policy and implementation
APG advises pension funds about their asset management and implements this management. The pension fund’s financial position and long-term liabilities are central in this regard. The aim is to enable the pension funds for which we invest to offer the best possible pension to their participants at an affordable contribution. Together with the pension fund concerned, we formulate the investment policy and devise the investment strategy for the short and long term. Our asset management is structured on the basis of the strategy adopted. We remain in constant contact with the pension fund about this management and also continuously monitor the investment policy in terms of risk, coverage ratio, liabilities, development regarding return, and strategic policy agreements. The policy is adjusted if necessary. APG also has extensive experience in sustainable investment. We are always happy to advise pension funds about the place of sustainable investment in their investment mixes.
Communication: for members and stakeholders
For members
Most pension funds seek to inform members about their pensions in an open and honest way without making members unnecessarily concerned and without undermining the trust of members in the pension fund. APG advises pension fund boards about how they can achieve this aim. Depending on the specific situation of the pension fund, we draw up a communications plan which we then go through in detail with the pension fund. The communications plan is implemented following approval. In addition to issuing the communications required by law, APG can also develop special means of communication. Because of its thorough knowledge of pensions and communications on the one hand and the target group on the other, APG can provide custom work in pension communication.
For stakeholders and the press
APG can also handle the corporate communications of pension funds. When it does so, APG starts by carefully compiling a picture of the pension fund’s identity, desired image, and characteristics. We then draw up a long-term plan to transform the pension fund’s existing image into the desired one. If required, APG can also act as spokesperson for the pension fund.
Actuarial support
APG uses its actuarial knowledge to perform calculations and prepare future scenarios. It also uses this knowledge to prepare reports, funding advice, advice pertaining to valuation issues, and periodic financial reports, and to provide support in the case of group value transfer and continuity analyses. We make this knowledge available to the pension funds for which we work.
Legal support
If required, APG can draw up the articles of association, draft regulations, ensure the recording of and compliance with management decisions, and test management proposals against legislation and regulations.
Financial risk management
APG’s financial risk management includes, among other things, continuous monitoring of the investment policy in terms of risk, coverage ratio, liabilities at market value, development regarding return, and strategic policy agreements.
