Amidst the ongoing transition to a new pension system in the Netherlands, Dutch pension fund managers are finding little bandwidth these days to explore fresh investment ideas for the coming year. Against this backdrop, asset managers face hurdles in gaining their attention, with only essential risk management being the focal point for many.
With roughly two trillion dollars in global assets, Dutch pension funds play a pivotal role in the international institutional investment landscape. Representing one of Europe’s largest pools of institutional capital, their investment strategies and decisions can set the tone for global market trends. These funds have a history of pioneering investment strategies, making their current stance and transitions worth noting for international stakeholders.
The Dutch investment policy hiatus, underlined by a «wait and see» attitude, is becoming increasingly evident across the pension sector. «The motto is ‹not right now›,» said Joost Höppener, head of sales at BNP Paribas Asset Management in the Netherlands. Reiniera van der Feltz, executive director of asset management at SBZ Pension, added, «We’re navigating a series of intricate challenges during this transition phase, and adding more complexities is not on our radar.»
Still, the comprehensive investment policy isn’t being shelved entirely. «Pension funds have an obligation to ensure the quality of their portfolios remains intact,» noted Karin Roeloffs, head of fiduciary management at Aegon Asset Management. «If there’s a pressing issue with an asset manager or a notable gap in the strategy, we intervene on behalf of our clients.»
Future Pensions Act
Presently, the primary emphasis is on the enactment of the Future Pensions Act, known in the Netherlands as WTP. Decisions include which scheme to adopt, whether to preserve old rights in the new system, the nature of different compensation frameworks, and timing the transition.
Such profound decisions are pressing on pension fund boards, causing them to frequently defer to the outcomes of social partner consultations, which are moving at varied paces.
Furthermore, the implications of these choices on investment policies make any additional investment decisions at this juncture premature. «Some pension funds, post-WTP, are even reconsidering their very existence. They’re mulling over aligning with an industry-wide pension fund, and such decisions have colossal implications on asset management,» remarked Van der Feltz.
So, where does this leave asset managers? Höppener suggests there’s still ample work. «While investment policy remains vital, there’s a need to strategise on risk management, especially in the run-up to the transition,» he said. Pension funds, according to him, will want to shield themselves from potential significant market downturns.
Different speeds
Roeloffs echoed this sentiment. «This transitional phase, while demanding, isn’t entirely black and white. Some funds are in preliminary discussions, while others are leaps ahead.» Nevertheless, Roeloffs acknowledged a prevailing trend: a decline in major shifts and changes within fiduciary portfolios.
Across the board, however, Roeloffs also sees that this is not a period of major shifts, with asset manager changes in fiduciary portfolios. «Pension funds are taking the risk management duty very seriously and looking carefully at what is needed in terms of investment policy in the run-up to the transition. But for example, including a new asset class, that is not at the top of the list at the moment.»
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