Every Pension Fund is exposed to the following important risks:

• Poor investment results: Every euro invested has to increase sufficiently so that all pensions can be paid today and in the future. This is why we invest. If the return on the investments is poor, this is reflected in the financial position of the fund. We limit this risk by diversifying the investments and hedging certain risks.
• Low interest rates that make pensions more expensive:  We calculate how much money is needed to be able to pay all the pensions. This includes pensions today, but also pensions that will be payable in decades to come. The lower that interest rates go, the more money we need to be able to pay all the pensions at a later date. This is also visible in our financial position, especially in the funding ratio.
• We are all living longer: The longer we live, the more money the pension fund needs, as we pay pension until death. If all the members in our fund live longer, we immediately need much more money. Of course we do our best to prepare for this, but life expectancy cannot always be predicted so accurately. This is also visible in our financial position.
• The risk that prices increase, as a result of which your pension will have a lower value. The same amount of money will buy less.

More information on the fund’s financial position is available by visiting the financial position of the fund.

How do the risks affect me?

The risk is that the fund would not have a sufficiently healthy financial position, meaning that:

• Your pension will not increase in line with the increase in prices. Your pension will not be indexed, or not fully.
• Your pension will have to be reduced. This is known as curtailment, and happens only if the financial position is not sufficient for a long period.
• The contribution paid by Mars has to be increased. This is known as a recovery contribution. This obligation to make an additional contribution applies if the funding ratio is 104% or less, and significantly reduces the likelihood of curtailment.

You share these risks with all the other participants in the pension fund.

What if things go better or worse than expected?

On the website www.mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl under 'If things go better or worse’, you can see an estimate of your pension if things go better or worse than expected in the future. You will see an estimate of your total pension, including the AOW pension and various scenario-based amounts. Under 'View your situation', you will find further explanation and a video on the scenario amounts.

Already retired?

If you have already retired, www.mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl shows an estimate of your pension if things go better or worse than expected over the coming 10 years. You can see this estimate from the date at which you receive AOW pension.

What else affects your pension?

There are other factors that affect your pension. The legislation for pensions may change, as a result of which you may be able to accrue more or less pension. Personal choices and events will also affect your pension. For instance, a decision to work less automatically means that you accrue less pension. You should therefore regularly check your pension to see whether you need to take action.