The 2006 yearly report of the Pension Fund had the title “Solide Basis”. Based on the market interest rate the coverage went up to 146% and based on the standard 4% up to 142%. At that time the total number of participants was 50369, of which 12070 active (24%). The pension law was changed and AkzoNobel sold OBS. In 2007 the coverage went down to 130% (standard 4%) and in 2008 to 95.5%. At that time the number of participants had gone down to 42732, of which 5356 active (12.5%). Because of the low coverage there was no indexation, just 2 years after the presentation of the Solid Base.

Up to and including 2009 the yearly report presented the difference between dull and actual indexation. In the 2016 report an overview was given starting the year 2010. For that matter the 2008 yearly report stated: “The Board of the Pension Fund has promised to give each year a specification of the difference between full and actual indexation”. In following example calculation the effect of this difference is made clear.

 

Example calculation Retired
Year end Coverage* Full Awarded Difference Ambition Actual %
start 12000 12000 100%
2008 95.5% 3.1% 0% -3.1% 12372 12000 97%
2009 108.7% 0.4% 0% -0.4% 12421 12000 97%
2010 104.7% 1.6% 0% -1.6% 12620 12000 95%
2011 98.5% 2.7% 0% -2.7% 12961 12000 93%
2012 101.2% 2.3% 0% -2.3% 13259 12000 91%
2013 109.3% 2.4% 1.13% -1.3% 13577 12136 89%
2014 110.0% 0.9% 0.65% -0.3% 13699 12214 89%
2015 106.8% 0.6% 0% -0.6% 13782 12214 89%
2016 99.2% 0.0% 0% 0.0% 13782 12214 89%
2017 108.9% 1.5% 0% -1.5% 13988 12214 87%
total 132462 120994
difference -11469
* Starting 2015 the coverage is based on 12 month forwarding average

 

Let alone the year that catch up of arrears is possible, the term of limitation has to be taken into account. Indexation cannot catch up over a period longer than 10 years. So we are at the point of definitely losing 3.1%.

 

 

 

For active participants indexation up to and including 2013 were paid using employees contribution. After 2013 this was not allowed anymore. To show the effect also for active participants this example calculation is made.

 

Example calculation Active
Year end Coverage* Full Awarded Difference Ambition Actual %
start 12000 12000 100%
2008 95.5% 3.00% 3.00% 0.0% 12360 12360 100%
2009 108.7% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 12360 12360 100%
2010 104.7% 1.75% 1.75% 0.00% 12576 12576 100%
2011 98.5% 1.50% 1.50% 0.00% 12765 12765 100%
2012 101.2% 1.75% 1.75% 0.00% 12988 12988 100%
2013 109.3% 0.50% 0.50% 0.00% 13053 13053 100%
2014 110.0% 1.50% 1.00% -0.50% 13249 13184 100%
2015 106.8% 1.85% 1.59% -0.26% 13494 13393 99%
2016 99.2% 1.75% 0.00% -1.75% 13730 13393 98%
2017 108.9% 1.75% 0.00% -1.75% 13971 13393 96%
total 130547 129467
difference -1080
* Starting 2015 the coverage is based on 12 month forwarding average

 

According to DNB the pension fund needs a buffer. The minimum required coverage is now 118.2%. For full indexation the coverage has to be above 124%. Since the coverage is too low a repair scheme is drafted. In this repair scheme is written how the coverage can get again above the required coverage. Recent years the developments resulted in a coverage lower than according to the repair scheme. A new repair scheme was drafted again for a period of 10 years. The following two graphs show the developments of this year.

Given these developments it is very unlikely that coming years substantial indexation can be applied. It has to be taken into account, that coming years most of the present indexation arrear will be definitely lost.