A discussion with Ruud Kruijff
Three independent experts from the Supervisory Board oversee TNO Pension Fund. They critically monitor the policies and general functioning of our fund. One of those three is Ruud Kruijff.
Ruud Kruijff has been a member of the Supervisory Board of TNO Pension Fund for a year now. This is because Theo Camps has stepped down. Ruud is the new member and has also assumed the position of chair. In this Annual Report Special, we get to know him. We talk about his background and what this role on the Supervisory Board means to him personally. We are also curious to know what he finds distinctive about TNO Pension Fund. Finally, we won’t neglect to include a link to the opinion of the Supervisory Board and we briefly look ahead to this year's areas of focus.
The Supervisory Board of TNO Pension Fund consists of:
- Ruud Kruijff (Chair)
- Mila Hoekstra
- Jac. Kragt
Read more about the structure of the Pension Fund (in Dutch).
"I myself didn't really like the idea of retiring," he says.
Over 40 years of experience as an actuary in the pension world
Actually, Ruud entered the pension world by accident. When Ruud had just finished his military service after Mulo and HBS-B, he started working at an insurance company, where he was introduced to actuarial work. That really appealed to him and through his work he was able to study to become an actuary. Eventually, he found that he always enjoyed the dynamic work as a consultant with various pension funds.
After more than 40 years working in or for the pension world as a director, adviser or actuary, he retired at the end of 2020. "That was in the middle of the Covid pandemic and I had resolved that I really didn't want to stop working yet. I myself didn't really like the idea of retiring. Particularly because the transition to the new pension system was also imminent. That seemed really fascinating," Ruud says.
Leveraging experience at various pension funds
With a great deal of expertise and a lot of enthusiasm, Ruud therefore hoped he could take on various roles on boards or supervisory boards, and he succeeded. And preferably with pension funds. Even though others had told Ruud that this was the chance to step out of your comfort zone and apply your expertise in a completely different industry. But Ruud wanted none of that.
So, one of those pension funds to which Ruud dedicates his expertise is TNO Pension Fund. Ruud has now been a member of the Supervisory Board for a good year. He also sits on various boards, advises Accountability Bodies and sits on two other Supervisory Boards. "It is quite a lot and their is a lot of crossover, but I am flexible. I may miss a ride with the cycling club once in a while, but it is great fun to be able to add value with my years of knowledge and experience. Moreover, I am now no longer responsible for all the calculations and presentations myself. These are now being issued to me and I can look them over using my extensive expertise," Ruud enthuses.
"Stepping out of my comfort zone, why would I do that? I just like pension funds."
"Balancing interests is also done very carefully. It is business-like, but with the human touch."
Preference for corporate pension fund
Clearly, corporate pension funds are very appealing to Ruud. TNO Pension Fund is also one such company pension fund. “With corporate pension funds, you’re dealing more directly with the people you are working for and the underlying employer. Also, the lines are a bit shorter. When I started with the TNO Pension Fund Supervisory Board, I did not know Jac. yet, nor my predecessor, Theo. But Mila did. I immediately felt that I was welcome on the Supervisory Board, as I did on the Accountability Body."
What characterises TNO Pension Fund?
“TNO Pension Fund is very well organised. The meetings are also well prepared (just as they are, incidentally, at many other pension funds). Balancing interests is also done very carefully. It is business-like, but with the human touch." What Ruud also noticed is that many topics are often approached from a scientific structure, as well. "Based on a large number of inputs and data, they delve into the issues at hand and try to understand everything before forming an opinion. It is then very nice to find that you can still add value even then."
Report to the Accountability Body and act as advisor to the Board
"The law states that, as the Supervisory Board, we review the Board's policies and advise the Board. The Supervisory Board is responsible for internal supervision. Monitoring for balance of decisions is one of the focal points. We report on our work formally to the Accountability Body, to the employer and in the pension fund's annual report. To assess the Board's policies and advise the Board, we meet regularly with the fund's Board and management. If the Board struggles with dissenting views, for example, the Supervisory Board can offer ideas on how they might address that."
How did TNO Pension Fund fare in 2024?
The annual report includes the Supervisory Board's 2024 assessment. In addition, the Supervisory Board has a number of focal points for this year. Many of those points concern the new pension scheme. "Everything for the new pension scheme is now nearly in place. There are a lot of new ideas, but will that work and will you implement those ideas? We will look at that. What many pension funds are also struggling with is implementation. Will the external pension administrator be ready in time to implement the new pension scheme? The Board is on top of that and has even hired an extra consultant to monitor that situation. For now, that is the most important thing. In addition, other things can happen such as on financial markets. Then, as a Supervisory Board, you also have the role of adviser."
The opinion about 2024
The opinion of the Supervisory Board is an important section of the annual report. So, would you like to know how the Supervisory Board rated TNO Pension Fund in 2024? You can read about that in the annual report (in Dutch).