Foreword by Corien Wortmann, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Netspar
What do you see as the most relevant developments last year?
“Once again in 2024, with the knowledge sourced from its network, Netspar fostered and participated in a well-informed societal and political debate founded on scientific research. The knowledge network was thus instrumental in the design and implementation of the new pension contract so that it can be put into practice in a conscientious manner.
“There were also a number of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of both old and new research. I am thinking specifically of Netspar’s new website and the launch of a new podcast series about pensions and retirement and science. We are very happy that Saskia ter Ellen joined the Board of Directors as the Director of Knowledge Dissemination and that she is focusing on this core activity.
“Theo Nijman, one of Netspar’s founding fathers, retired in 2024 after almost twenty years on the Board of Directors. We are tremendously grateful to Theo for everything he has done for Netspar over the years, especially his concerted efforts to bring science and practice closer together.
“In January 2024 Lisa Brüggen was appointed to the endowed chair funded by Instituut Gak. This endowed professorship is designed to focus on retirement communications and choice guidance. It enables Netspar to participate in enhancing efforts to secure future-proof pensions for pension plan participants.
“Finally, in October 2024, Bas Werker was appointed to another endowed professorship funded by Instituut Gak, the Chair of Pension Administration and Risk Management. That focuses on understanding the trade-offs in the complex design of pension contracts in the Future Pensions Act. The object is to develop insights into the options for either ensuring against or consciously assuming risks and thus contribute to a better understanding of those trade-offs.”
What have some of the developments been in terms of the vision for the future and funding?
“The Supervisory Board has held discussions with the Board of Directors regarding Netspar’s vision for the future. Part of that involved looking into various future scenarios for the knowledge network. The Board of Directors will be further developing its strategy in 2025, with the Supervisory Board actively involved in the process. With the steps that have been taken so far, I am convinced that we can both increase the impact of our work and continue to expand the Netspar network in the future.
The Supervisory Board has held discussions with the Board of Directors regarding Netspar’s vision for the future. Part of that involved looking into various future scenarios for the knowledge network.
“Funding for Netspar was also on the agenda. We would like to thank our current partners for their support and are pleased to welcome PME as a new partner. Meanwhile, ABN AMRO Pensioenfonds has renewed its partnership. We are also happy to report that options for securing science funding were explored, resulting in an application to the Dutch Research Council (NWO) on behalf of Netspar, working with academic consortia and industry partners. The proposal is for research into the role of the Dutch pension, insurance, and retirement industry in the sustainability transition.”
What other topics did the Supervisory Board discuss?
“The Supervisory Board approved the Financial Statements for 2023 and the work plan and budget for 2025.
“The Board also considered at length the issue of Netspar’s objectivity, and accordingly integrity. Given that this is an important subject, as well as being one of Netspar’s core values, the Board of Directors asked the Supervisory Board to reflect on the organization’s existing and proposed policy regarding it. The Supervisory Board discussed that policy, and we see the fact that the Board of Directors is reporting on it in the annual report as a positive further development. I would refer you to elsewhere in this annual report, where the steps undertaken to ensure objectivity are explained, to learn more. We have agreed that Netspar will continue to provide such accountability reporting every year.
“The Supervisory Board also approved the nomination of five new members to the Scientific Council. This brought in some younger faces and created a better gender balance on this vital body comprised of international researchers. The Scientific Council is responsible, among other things, for evaluating the scientific worthiness of the largest Netspar grants.”
What, if any, changes were there in the membership of the Supervisory Board?
“Leon van Riet joined the Supervisory Board on January 1, 2024. In addition, Annette Mosman, Inge van den Doel, and Laura van Geest were reappointed for a one-year period. We also took leave of Guusje Dolsma when her third term on the Board expired. We are pleased to welcome Jurre de Haan, who was willing to fill that vacant seat. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Guusje for her dedication to Netspar and the contributions she made during her time with us.”
A word of thanks
“I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Supervisory Board to everyone who has worked on Netspar’s knowledge development and dissemination efforts. In particular, we would like to thank the director, Board of Directors, and staff of Netspar.
“A special word of thanks is also owed to everyone on the Netspar Foundation Board, Partner Research Council, Editorial Board, and Scientific Council, as well as all of the researchers in the knowledge network. This includes both researchers who have been affiliated with Netspar for a long time and those who are new to the pension and retirement field and want to immerse themselves in this complicated material and seek cooperation in doing so.
“I am impressed by the team’s passion and dedication and also by the impact the team and the knowledge network are having on the so very important theme of pensions and retirement that touches on every single Dutch person.”