- Denmark’s Velliv has introduced VellivKroner, replacing the previous bonus model for market rate customers.

For a typical customer, Velliv said it will increase pension savings by DKK 250,000 over a lifetime. This means that around 336,000 customers with a market rate product will have their bonus amount paid directly into their pensions.

- The Netherlands has held its annual pension engagement campaign this week, Money Wise’s Pension 3 Day (Pensioen3daagse in Dutch), which ran from 11-13 November.

The campaign is aimed at drawing increased attention to pensions, to encourage people to take the first step to do something about their pensions. In addition to the national campaign, it also includes activities organised by pension providers, employers and pension advisers.

- The Dutch pension fund PGB has announced that the basic scheme contribution rate will remain unchanged at 28 per cent in 2026.

The board of PGB said it wants to provide “calm and stability” in the run-up to the transition to the new scheme on 1 January 2027, which is why the contribution is remaining the same. “The current contribution of 28 per cent is well above the statutory lower limit and fits within the contribution policy of Pensioenfonds PGB: balanced, stable and with support from social partners,” it stated.

- Finnish earnings-related pension provider Varma is to invest €400m in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) tailored to Varma and focused on European companies.

The fund's operating principles include moderate risk-taking through active portfolio management. The objective of the new listed ETF fund is to generate a return that outperforms the index with very limited risk. This is achieved by actively managing part of the investment in line with the investment outlook. "We are investing in this ETF fund because the active share allows for considered risk-taking, and our goal is to outperform the index," Varma head of listed investments, Timo Sallinen, said.

- Finnish public sector pension provider Keva has had its offer accepted to purchase the University of Helsinki’s Student Union’s central properties for an undisclosed amount.

The real estate company Ylva, owned by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), organised a tender for the sale of its properties at the beginning of the year, which was won by the pension insurer Keva. The property complex includes the Old Student House, Kaivotalo, Citytalo, and the Grand Hansa complex, including the New Student House. Keva’s co-investors in the project are Mrec Investment Management Oy and HGR Property Partners Oy, who will be responsible for the property management and development of the property after the transaction.

- The Dutch pension fund for the healthcare sector, Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn (PFZW), is to invest an extra €300m in the Dutch healthcare and welfare sector over the next five years.

Its motivation for the investment is to help solve the healthcare crisis in the Netherlands, which is also close to the hearts of its participants.

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