Pensions

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)
  • “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)
  • “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)
  • 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, Employment (2019 Edition)
  • Recommended
    Legal 500, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)
  • First Tier firm
    Legal 500, Investment Funds (2019 Edition)

Our expertise on the pensions sector

Complex mergers, liquidations, group transfer payments, buyouts and portfolio transfers within the pensions sector require an in-depth understanding of the sector and thorough knowledge of the legal aspects of restructurings, pension law, collective employment law and financial law. Houthoff assists clients with these complex transactions, also from a pension perspective. This often includes advising – and litigating, if necessary – on the scope of mandatory participation in sectoral pension funds. Houthoff is also involved in the pension aspects of employee participation law, including the works council's role in transactions like mergers or acquisitions and in group transfer payments or changes in pension schemes.

Our Pensions Team also handles various pension disputes. Our lawyers never lose sight of our clients’ strategic interests. If a settlement is possible, we negotiate the conditions until a settlement is reached. If litigation is necessary, our pension law specialists assist our clients in the legal proceedings, including before the courts and in arbitration proceedings. Where necessary, the Pensions Team works closely together with the experienced Dispute Resolution Team of more than 80 lawyers and with teams from adjacent areas of law. We are able to achieve the best results for our clients thanks to our in-depth knowledge and extensive experience.
As pensions legislation and regulations are constantly changing, it is essential for pension funds to remain compliant. Our pensions specialists can also advise on issues related to governance, supervision and duty of care.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

主要联系人

阿姆斯特丹
Advocaat | Counsel
+31 20 605 65 53
+31 6 5122 0783
Oscar van Angeren

主要联系人

伦敦
Advocaat | Partner
+44 207 422 50 41
+31 6 5354 1635

主要联系人

阿姆斯特丹
Advocaat | Managing Partner
+31 20 605 61 86
+31 6 5373 9632

主要联系人

阿姆斯特丹
Advocaat | Counsel
+31 20 605 65 13
+31 6 4354 9590