Personal note
Dear Reader,
The theme of this year's annual report is 'Stability in motion'. What comes immediately to mind is my graduate studies and work at Eindhoven University of Technology. I studied the effect of light on seniors and how home design can contribute to their well-being. Light and lighting is a very important part of that. I’ve always found light to be a fascinating, physical phenomenon – it allows us to see, it affects the biological clock of humans and animals, it causes growth in plants and I could go on... My research was also about having a sense of security, walking well and not falling. In short: stability and movement.
In addition to setting up the study and preparing the questionnaire, I visited a large number of elderly participants. With my large measuring case in a small red car, I drove across the country, stopping at many nursing and care homes. At the end of a study, the photo book would often be placed on the table and participants would then share their life stories at length. It was really a lot of fun.
Stability also plays an important role in the context of the Pension Fund. We are in the midst of transition and normal work also continues. In doing so, we keep a constant focus on stability for the pensions of all our members, former members and pension beneficiaries. What helps enormously is a very strong team on the Board and the administrative office. I think we benefit a great deal from that in these times of change.
A lot of extra effort is being asked of all those involved in the Pension Fund. Everyone is making a tremendous effort and, despite the different interests, we do not lose sight of dialogue. Meanwhile, we have submitted the implementation plan for the transition to the new pension scheme to De Nederlandsche Bank. And then a new phase will begin. Even then, we will all need to put our shoulders firmly to the wheel.
Ensuring stability is also important on a personal level. For instance, I like having time to exercise now and then. I like to go running when I have the time, preferably along the water. I do a loop around the Singel or run along the Merwedekanaal here in Utrecht. Or I read a book. Although a lot of reading time now goes into the documents that need to be read for the Pension Fund. It's a busy time.
Part of that is taking a look back. In this Special Edition of Life & Pension, we will take you through several of the highlights of 2024. This Special Edition gives an impression of who we are, what we do and, above all, summarises our accountability to you as a participant. And would you like to know more? If so, be sure to open the annual report published recently.
I hope you'll enjoy reading the magazine!
Nancy Westerlaken Chair of the Board of TNO Pension Fund