Professional Pensions www.professionalpensions.com BAPI appoints Van Gutte as secretary general <p><!--summary start--> Karel Van Gutte has been named as secretary general of the Belgian Association of Pension Institutions (BAPI). <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2078763/bapi-appoints-van-gutte-secretary https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2078763/bapi-appoints-van-gutte-secretary Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:18:35 +0000 Judge expresses 'serious reservations' about Bonas contribution notice <p><!--summary start--> UK/BELGIUM - The Upper Tribunal expressed "serious reservations" about the amount The Pensions Regulator is chasing in its contribution notice against Michel Van De Wiele NV. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1001311/judge-expresses-reservations-bonas-contribution-notice https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1001311/judge-expresses-reservations-bonas-contribution-notice Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:11:02 +0000 Dutch and Belgian investors plan to sue Lehman counterparties <p><!--summary start--> NETHERLANDS/BELGIUM - A group of Dutch and Belgian investors is planning to sue ABN Amro and KBC who acted as counterparties in trades with Lehman Brothers and Ernst & Young who audited the bank's accounts. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1597267/dutch-belgian-investors-plan-sue-lehman-counterparties https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1597267/dutch-belgian-investors-plan-sue-lehman-counterparties Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:51:00 +0000 The European pensions nexus <p><!--summary start--> Belgium has become an important link for cross-border pensions, and yet it has been slow on the uptake of defined contribution, as Giovanni Legorano reports <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1063257/-european-pensions-nexus https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1063257/-european-pensions-nexus Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:12:00 +0000 Spotlight on cross-border pensions <p><!--summary start--> Giovanni Legorano speaks to European Commission Insurance and Pensions Unit policy officer Jung Lichtenberger about cross-border pensions and the move to DC <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/interview/1063295/spotlight-cross-border-pensions https://www.professionalpensions.com/interview/1063295/spotlight-cross-border-pensions Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:10:00 +0000 European cross-border pensions on the rise <p><!--summary start--> EUROPE - Multinationals are increasingly looking at creating cross-border pension funds for their employees, industry figures said. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1564911/european-cross-border-pensions-rise https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1564911/european-cross-border-pensions-rise Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:26:24 +0000 Belgian funds fall <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Pension funds lost an average of 15.5% over the year up to September, and shifted allocations from equities to bonds, research by Mercer reveals. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1454006/belgian-funds-fall https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1454006/belgian-funds-fall Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Belgian employers over-estimate DC benefits <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Belgian employers are grossly overestimating the level of benefits provided by their defined contribution (DC) pension plans, Watson Wyatt has warned. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1456341/belgian-employers-estimate-dc-benefits https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1456341/belgian-employers-estimate-dc-benefits Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +0000 Small scale pension funds, large scale vision <p><!--summary start--> Andrew Sheen travels to Belgium and discovers this country of predominately small pension funds is labouring with the implementation of OFP reforms and harbouring dreams of becoming Europe's cross-border pension hub <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1445626/-scale-pension-funds-scale-vision https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1445626/-scale-pension-funds-scale-vision Fri, 5 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +0000 Belgium pushes cross-border pensions <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Creating a robust cross-border pension market is a priority for the Belgian government, the Belgian Pensions Regulator (BPR) has said. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1448988/belgium-pushes-cross-border-pensions https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1448988/belgium-pushes-cross-border-pensions Thu, 3 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0000 Nestlé decision may trigger Belgium pension fund influx <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Belgium could have an influx of pan-European companies looking to create pension funds in the country if Nestlé's decision to test new laws is successful. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1447621/nestle-decision-trigger-belgium-pension-fund-influx https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1447621/nestle-decision-trigger-belgium-pension-fund-influx Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Multi-nationals move funds to Belgium <p><!--summary start--> EUROPE - Multi-national companies have begun moving their pan-European pension funds to Belgium following legislative changes brought in at the beginning of 2007, according to Deloitte. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445109/multi-nationals-funds-belgium https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445109/multi-nationals-funds-belgium Fri, 9 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000 Pension debacle Belgium and the Netherlands <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The Dutch ministry of social affairs and employment has denied there is a hostile row between Belgium and the Netherlands because of Belgium's status as the sole host for pan-European pension funds. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1450787/pension-debacle-belgium-netherlands https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1450787/pension-debacle-belgium-netherlands Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:00:00 +0000 New Belgian fund sought <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The Belgian municipality of Brecht has tendered a €2.4m (£1.8m) mandate for a new pension fund. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1466012/-belgian-fund-sought https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1466012/-belgian-fund-sought Wed, 23 May 2007 01:00:00 +0000 KBC Pension Fund adopts LDI <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The KBC pension fund has adopted a liability driven investment (LDI) solution provided by its parent KBC Asset Management. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1452422/kbc-pension-fund-adopts-ldi https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1452422/kbc-pension-fund-adopts-ldi Mon, 21 May 2007 01:00:00 +0000 Hewitt builds system for builders <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Hewitt Associates has been contracted by the Belgian construction sector to develop an administration system for its pension scheme, pensioB. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1456881/hewitt-builds-builders https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1456881/hewitt-builds-builders Tue, 3 Apr 2007 01:00:00 +0000 Belgian pension returns down <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Belgian pension fund returns fell by 6.2% to 8.76% over 2006, compared to their 2005 performance of 14.96%. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1449093/belgian-pension-returns https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1449093/belgian-pension-returns Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000 Funds reject Antwerp scheme <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Pension funds have reacted with scepticism to a suggestion by the Belgian Association of Pension Institutions (ABIP) chairman that they invest in the multi-billion euro transportation works in Antwerp, citing a hesitance to be tied down long term with the government. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1452437/funds-reject-antwerp-scheme https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1452437/funds-reject-antwerp-scheme Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000 SICAVs to spark competition <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The arrival of the institutional SICAV (société d'investissement à capital variable) vehicle in Belgium could see pension funds and asset managers competing directly against one another. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465847/sicavs-spark-competition https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465847/sicavs-spark-competition Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000 ABIP critical of Belgian 'herd mentality' <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Herd mentality is a significant problem in the Belgian pension fund industry and it is essential that liability streams be used as the basis for asset allocation, said Philip Neyt, chairman of the Belgian Association of Pensions Institution (ABIP). <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1459455/abip-critical-belgian-herd-mentality https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1459455/abip-critical-belgian-herd-mentality Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 KBC to launch LDI product - exclusive <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - KBC Asset Management is to launch an LDI product "around February" that will target Belgian and Dutch pension funds. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1459585/kbc-launch-ldi-product-exclusive https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1459585/kbc-launch-ldi-product-exclusive Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Fortis head predicts big SRI growth <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Pension fund demand for SRI is set to increase significantly in Belgium despite the fact they have thus far failed to convert their words into action, said Peter de Proft, CEO for Belgium at Fortis Investments. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465833/fortis-head-predicts-sri-growth https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465833/fortis-head-predicts-sri-growth Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Belgian funds still cool on LDI <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The demand for Liability Driven Investments (LDI) is unlikely to pick up in Belgium given its unsuitability to local pension funds, industry players have agreed. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1463840/belgian-funds-cool-ldi https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1463840/belgian-funds-cool-ldi Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 BlackRock MLIM adds to Benelux team <p><!--summary start--> BENELUX - BlackRock Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (BlackRock MLIM) has appointed Mark Schipper as marketing manager for the Benelux region. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445825/blackrock-mlim-adds-benelux-team https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445825/blackrock-mlim-adds-benelux-team Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Fortis AuM up 10% <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Fortis Investments' assets under management (AuM) are up 10% from December 2005, totalling €116bn at the end of the third quarter. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465954/fortis-aum https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465954/fortis-aum Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Belgian pension funds return 4.4% <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Pension funds managed by Degroof Institutional Asset Management (DiAM) have delivered a median net performance of 4.4% since the beginning of the year. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1459862/belgian-pension-funds-return https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1459862/belgian-pension-funds-return Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:00:00 +0000 Amonis makes maiden hedge fund foray <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The e950m Amonis pension fund for doctors, dentists and pharmacists has made a maiden foray into hedge funds, appointing Key Asset Management to a $44m fund of hedge fund portfolio. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465864/amonis-makes-maiden-hedge-fund-foray https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1465864/amonis-makes-maiden-hedge-fund-foray Fri, 2 Jun 2006 01:00:00 +0000 Belgian pension funds return 15% in 2005 <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - A national survey on the performance of pension funds has confirmed previous estimates of a 15% return on investments for 2005. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445461/belgian-pension-funds-return-2005 https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445461/belgian-pension-funds-return-2005 Thu, 1 Jun 2006 01:00:00 +0000 Class distinction could spell pensions problem for Belgium <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Belgium's traditional class distinction between blue and white collar workers could spell problems for occupational pensions, according to the president of the Belgian Pension Commission. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1456987/class-distinction-spell-pensions-belgium https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1456987/class-distinction-spell-pensions-belgium Thu, 25 May 2006 01:00:00 +0000 Alliance ups the stakes for Belgian self-employed pensions <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Self-employed "independent" workers in Belgium who currently rely on four main insurance companies for their pensions, could be better served following a new alliance described as an industry evolution. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1451471/alliance-ups-stakes-belgian-self-employed-pensions https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1451471/alliance-ups-stakes-belgian-self-employed-pensions Wed, 24 May 2006 01:00:00 +0000 KBC bank pension fund revises allocation to reduce volatility <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The e871m KBC Bank pension fund has reduced its exposure to equities and increased its weighting in fixed income and real estate in a bid to reduce volatility on the company balance sheet. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1467750/kbc-bank-pension-fund-revises-allocation-reduce-volatility https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1467750/kbc-bank-pension-fund-revises-allocation-reduce-volatility Wed, 19 Apr 2006 01:00:00 +0000 BPFA assembles task force to plan a pan-European push <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The Belgian Association of Pension Funds (BPFA) has set up a task force of experts to brainstorm ideas as to how Belgium could be established as a hub for pan-European pensions. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445340/bpfa-assembles-task-force-plan-pan-european-push https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445340/bpfa-assembles-task-force-plan-pan-european-push Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:00:00 +0000 Neyt elected BPFA chairman <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The board of directors of the Belgium Pension Fund Association (BPFA) has elected Philip Neyt to be the new chairman of the association, succeeding the incumbent Bernard Cardon de Lichtbuer. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445490/neyt-elected-bpfa-chairman https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1445490/neyt-elected-bpfa-chairman Wed, 5 Apr 2006 01:00:00 +0000 Belgium moves towards a legal framework for pensions <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - Minister of pensions Bruno Tobback has said the bill transposing the EU pensions directive makes "considerable progress" towards the creation of a legal framework for pension funds. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1450625/belgium-moves-legal-framework-pensions https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1450625/belgium-moves-legal-framework-pensions Wed, 8 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Belgian reporting requirements "excessive" <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - New pension fund reporting requirements imposed by both the Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission (CBFA) and the National Bank of Belgium (BNB) have been branded excessive and costly administrative burdens by the Belgian Association of Pension Funds (BPFA). <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1455134/belgian-reporting-requirements-excessive https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1455134/belgian-reporting-requirements-excessive Tue, 7 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000 BPFA slams anti discrimination law <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The existing law on anti discrimination is ill-suited to pension funds and should be revised to provide extra clarification, according to the Belgian Association of Pension Funds (BPFA). <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1455065/bpfa-slams-anti-discrimination-law https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1455065/bpfa-slams-anti-discrimination-law Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Belgian government accused of 'creative accounting' <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The Belgian government has been accused of "creative accounting" following the transfer of the assets of a first pillar pension plan into its coffers. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1451457/belgian-government-accused-creative-accounting https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1451457/belgian-government-accused-creative-accounting Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Amonis pension fund reports net return of 18.73% <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The e950m Amonis pension fund for medical professionals in Belgium has reported an 18.74% net investment return for 2005. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1451189/amonis-pension-fund-reports-net-return https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1451189/amonis-pension-fund-reports-net-return Tue, 14 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Belgian pension funds return 15.1% <p><!--summary start--> BELGIUM - The average weighted return for Belgian pension funds in 2005 was 15.1%, almost double the previous year's return. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1450113/belgian-pension-funds-return https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1450113/belgian-pension-funds-return Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000