Pensions

A secure pension is no longer a given. The pensions sector is having to grapple with rock bottom interest rates and high volatility on the capital markets. Lower investment returns have led to significant consolidation and a sharp fall in the number of pension funds after mergers and liquidations. Houthoff has the largest and most qualified pensions team in the Netherlands. Our renowned Pensions Team advises pension funds, employers, works councils, insurers, premium pension institutions (PPIs), banks and asset managers on all facets of the pensions sector. Our pensions specialists share their many years of experience in the Houthoff Pension Fund Academy, which is open to participants from all parts of the pensions sector.

First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2020 Edition)
“There is consistency in the team, so we have developed a long-term relationship with the various team members,’ notes another interviewee, adding: ‘They react fast and effectively to our requests.’”

Chambers Europe, Employment (2019 Edition)
“The firm leverages its resources and demonstrates broad experience in different areas of law.”

Chambers Europe, Employment (2019 Edition)
“Clients highlight the firm’s ‘outstanding project management, understanding of what investors want and ability to translate that into good terms.’”

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)
“There is only one big law firm you can choose for pensions funds, and that's Houthoff. They specialise and have a really good template for asset management agreements.”

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)
First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)
“Houthoff is ‘top of the bill and better able to understand the needs of the customer compared to its peers.’”

Legal 500, Employment (2019 Edition)
First Tier firm

Legal 500, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)
Recommended

Legal 500, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)
First Tier firm

Legal 500, Employment (2019 Edition)
First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2018 Edition)
"Clients appreciate the team's 'knowledge and experience in employment law' alongside the lawyers' 'sharp thinking and logical and consistent approach'."

Chambers Europe, Employment (2018 Edition)
"They are always fast responding and easy to reach and the advice we receive is effective, understandable, and to the point."

Chambers Europe, Employment (2018 Edition)
"According to interviewees, the team is 'sufficiently resourced, with talented people to give correct, well-defined and timely responses'."

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2018 Edition)
"Clients praise the 'excellent team' for its 'quick and practical' lawyers who 'have good knowledge and experience'."

Chambers Europe, Investment Funds (2018 Edition)
"The ‘absolutely top-notch’ team at Houthoff acts for fund managers, institutional investors and large insurers."

Legal 500, Investment Funds (2018 Edition)
"‘Fast, sharp and to-the-point’, the ‘proactive’, ‘accessible and well-coordinated’ team of ‘critical thinkers’ at Houthoff."

Legal 500, Employment (2018 Edition)
First Tier firm

Legal 500, Employment (2018 Edition)
First Tier firm

Legal 500, Investment Funds (2018 Edition)

Our expertise on the pensions sector

Complex mergers and liquidations within the pensions sector require an in-depth understanding of the sector and a thorough knowledge of the legal aspects of areas such as restructuring. Houthoff assists clients with these complex transactions.

As pensions legislation and regulations are constantly subject to change, it is essential for pension funds to remain compliant. Our pensions specialists carry out compliance checks and advise on supervision (in the context of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act) and duty of care.

A ‘general pension fund’ can offer a good solution for pension funds and employers. Our Pensions Team advises clients on the advantages and disadvantages of this type of fund.

In the event of a merger or acquisition, works councils can have a right of consent when it comes to pensions, and benefit from good and practical advice on establishing their role in this process. We assist various works councils.

Employers can be subject to mandatory participation in a pension fund (such as StiPP). This can have significant financial consequences. Our Pensions Team can be relied upon to give sound advice to employers on these consequences.

Our experienced pensions specialists understand the relevance of all the legal, tax and financial developments within pensions law for our clients. By integrating this with our expertise on employment law, asset management, supervision, litigation and tax law, our Pensions Team provides well-considered, bespoke solutions.

Highlighted Matters

Advised ASR Nederland N.V. (a.s.r.) on the acquisition of a 50% interest from Brand New Day in Brand New Day Premiepensioeninstelling N.V. (BND PPI) and the sale of a.s.r.'s 10% interest in Brand New Day Houdstermaatschappij N.V. for a total amount of EUR 51 million.
Highlighted Matters

Houthoff advised Stichting Bedrijfspensioenfonds voor het Bakkersbedrijf (Bpf Bakkers), a Dutch pension fund managing assets of approximately EUR 3.5 billion, on the appointment of NN Investment Partners as their new integrated fiduciary asset manager. This transaction involved the preparation and negotiations of a fiduciary management agreement under Dutch law based on Bpf Bakker's own template.
Highlighted Matters

Houthoff advised Stichting Pensioenfonds Campina, a Dutch pension fund, on the renewal of its contractual relationship with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., RREEF America L.L.C. (both subsidiaries of Deutsche Bank AG) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International. This work included the preparation and negotiation of a complex Dutch law asset management agreement based on the pension fund's own template.