The Banking Collective Labor Agreement includes a minimum pension scheme. This scheme indicates that each of the affiliated banks is obliged to offer a pension scheme for the benefit of its employees. This pension scheme must at least meet certain conditions, but gives room to agree on a better scheme.
Due to the introduction of the Future Pensions Act (Wtp), the minimum pension scheme must be adjusted so that the various banks are able to adapt the pension scheme to the new legislation. 24 banks are affiliated with the Banking Collective Labor Agreement. This means that there are 24 different pension schemes. During the negotiations, a route must be offered from these 24 different starting situations to a scheme that complies with the Wtp.
Proposal letter De Unie
The first consultation took place on February 13, 2024, during which I presented the proposals De Unie explained. De Unie has emphasized that a savings premium of 25% is at least necessary to build up a good pension, a 30% savings premium would of course be even better. De Unie is reluctant to agree on a much lower percentage in a minimum pension scheme. In practice we see that a minimum arrangement will become the standard for the collective labor agreement.
For the 24 pension schemes in this collective labor agreement, many have made good use of the space above the minimum pension scheme. But unfortunately there are also pension schemes that are at the minimum level, and then employees do not build up a good pension.
Response employers
The employers indicate that the proposal of De Unie, a savings premium of 25%, is far too high.
In the proposal letter from De Unie a number of proposals have been included that strengthen the position of employees in their negotiations with the employer. If we fulfill these conditions correctly, then this is possible De Unie accept a lower minimum. Employers were not immediately enthusiastic about these proposals, although the background to the proposals is now clear.
Employer proposal
The employers have also made a proposal. In this proposal they indicate in broad terms how they would like to adjust the minimum pension scheme. In the Appendix you can read this proposal, with the comments from De Unie to this proposal.
How further?
The next consultation is on February 27, 2024. Do you have any questions about this message or would you like to give your opinion about the employer proposal? Please contact our advocate Inge de Vries by sending an email to: inge.de.vries@unie.nl