The Dutch Federation of Pension Funds (Pensioenfederatie) has urged the government to enact predictable and long-term policy to ensure there are sufficient projects for pension funds to invest responsibly.

In its response to the Budget, the federation emphasised the importance of a careful continuation of the transition to the new pension system and the improvement of the investment climate.

It noted that pension funds had made “significant strides” in recent years to transition to the new pension system, with more than half of members already covered by the new system at the start of 2026.

“Many funds that made the switch in recent years were able to significantly increase the pensions of workers and pensioners,” said Pensioenfederatie chair, Ger Jaarsma.

“This shows that the transition can make a concrete difference for participants.”

With another large group of funds expected to transition in early 2027, and more to follow, the federation argued it was important that pension funds were given sufficient time and space to carry out the transition carefully.

“The second pillar makes a significant contribution to the financial security of millions of Dutch people,” Jaarsma stated.

“To maintain that strength, it is important that sufficient scope for pension accrual remains in the future and that pension ambitions are kept at the required level.”

Meanwhile, Pensioenfederatie backed the government’s ambition to improve the investment climate and strengthen the future earning capacity of the Netherlands.

It noted that substantial investment was needed in housing, infrastructure, energy, digitisation, security, and innovative companies, with pension funds able to contribute with their long-term capital.

However, the federation warned that capital alone was not enough, and there must also be sufficient projects and enterprises for pension funds to invest in.

“Good plans must also actually become investable,” said Jaarsma. “That requires predictable and stable long-term policy, clear choices from the government, and sufficient investment opportunities with appropriate risk and return.”

Pensioenfederatie stated that consistent regulations, faster procedures, and a government that provided direction for the long term were therefore important.

“If the government, the business community, social partners, and institutional investors join forces in this, we can achieve more,” Jaarsma added.

“Then private capital can contribute even more to the future earning capacity of the Netherlands and to the good pension for which that capital is invested.”

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