In 2024, the House of Representatives approved the new pension choice known as ‘lump sum’. The Senate recently indicated that it would only consider this proposal once the new minister had announced a clear start date.

Following the expiry of the current term of office of one member of the Accountability Council representing pensioners and one member of the Accountability Council representing active members, two vacancies have arisen within the Accountability Council of Mars Pension Fund.

Following the expiration of the current term of two board members representing active members, two vacancies for board positions will arise within the board of Mars Pension Fund.

Every month, you receive your pension from Mars Pension Fund on or around the 1st day of the month. Starting in July 2026, we will change the payment date for your pension to the 20th of each month. This change does not mean that you will miss a payment, but that you will receive it later in the same month.

Are you building up a pension at Mars Pensioenfonds? If so, you receive a Uniform Pension Overview (UPO) every year. Your UPO gives an insight in your pension situation. You can view your UPO online on our website at 'My Post', should you not have the paper version within reach.

... you want to retire earlier? The standard retirement age is 67, but you can start your pension earlier. There are, however, a number of things you need to take into account.

The Dutch pension system is under pressure. Major causes are low interest rates, an aging population and the fact that people are living longer and therefore need to receive pensions for longer.

Price developments may affect the composition of a particular portfolio, as a result of which it may temporarily deviate from the Life Cycle and Self-Directing Investing. This is checked once a year and adjusted if necessary.

The interest addition for the ARP plan for the second half of 2016 has been set: for active participants it is 3.51%. For former participants, this is 0.00%. In the first half of 2016, this was - for both active and former participants - 3.60% (annualized).

These are turbulent times for pension funds. The investment results are disappointing and we are dealing with a low market interest rate. Nevertheless, the financial situation of Mars Pension Fund is still reasonable. I would like to take you through the current developments and their financial consequences for our pension fund.