Foreword by Corien Wortmann, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Netspar
What do you see as the most relevant developments last year?
“In 2025, the transition to the new pension contract really gained momentum. There is no going back, especially now that many more funds have switched to the new system as of January 1st. It was also good news for pension participants that they, on average, received considerable indexation.
Netspar’s twentieth anniversary was another highpoint for me. It showed that the network’s relevance remains undiminished, something underscored by the Pension & Science Jubilee Conference. At the conference, a slate of distinguished speakers not only looked back on what Netspar had accomplished in twenty years, but also astutely outlined future themes, such as engaging pension participants, improving pension communications, and focusing on vulnerable populations and the retirement-savings gap. So, not only do we have a new pension contract, but there will also be much work for Netspar to do in the years ahead.
Another noteworthy event for Netspar was the joint inaugural address given by Bas Werker and Lisa Brüggen. They delivered an innovative speech in the form of a dialogue in which they touched upon a shift that is taking place: pensions today are much more than just numbers, calculations, and technical details. Communication and dialogue with pension participants is becoming ever more important. Now that more of the responsibility is being placed with plan members in the new pension system, they need to be engaged much more actively. Pension funds need to start thinking more from their perspective and not simply think, ‘We’ll explain it to them afterwards.’”
What have some of the developments been in terms of the vision for the future and funding?
“Netspar underwent various evaluations and engaged in dialogue with our partners. One of the central questions involved how the 2027–2031 Action Plan would take shape. Some of the themes I’ve just mentioned are reflected in that plan. The Supervisory Board was also actively involved in the formulation of the vision for the future by the Board of Directors. We believe it is essential that this adequately take into account the input from our partners and from the Scientific Council.
In terms of future research, it is great news that a consortium being led by Netspar has secured funding through the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The fact that this subsidy was awarded underscores the acknowledged position of Netspar in the social and academic debate. The theme of that research grant—the sustainability transition and the role of the Dutch pension, insurance, and retirement industry—is a vital one given its social relevance and the size of pension assets in the Netherlands.
The financing for Netspar is a topic we discussed at length with the Board of Directors. The new pension contract may now be a reality, but that does not do away with the need for research and knowledge development. That is why it is so critical to secure partner contributions and make sure this translates into a long-term financial commitment. The partners, too, are sometimes facing financial pressures, which is why it is especially important for the Board of Directors to keep an eye on the budget. I have confidence in their ability to do so, and the extent of partner contributions will become clear in the near future. Themes may shift, but it remains as important as ever that Netspar continue to work with our partners to develop knowledge.
On a final note, the Supervisory Board approved the Financial Statements for 2024 and the work plan and budget for 2026.”
What, if any, changes were there in the membership of the Supervisory Board?
“Lex Meijdam resigned from the Supervisory Board. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions these past years, including for the scientific perspective he brought. We are also very pleased to have been joined by Dorien Kooij, who has an academic background in the field of aging, labor, and behavioral science. That fits perfectly with the changing themes Netspar is exploring. Moreover, this appointment helps us maintain our close ties with Tilburg University, where Netspar is headquartered.”
A word of thanks
“I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Supervisory Board to the Board of Directors and the entire team at Netspar. We are very grateful for the role the Board of Directors has fulfilled with such energy and devotion. It is impressive to see how much knowledge Netspar manages to generate, not to mention all the activities it organizes, with a relatively small team and limited budget.
The level of scientific knowledge is critical for the future of Netspar.
We would further like to extend our thanks to the scientific community that makes Netspar’s knowledge development possible. The level of scientific knowledge is critical for the future of Netspar. This has always been the case and will continue to be so in the future.
Finally, we would like to thank our partners for their financial support and their participation in various Netspar bodies. I hope we can continue our partnership well into the future.”