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The present and the future

On 1 January 2026, we switched to the new pension system. As part of that transition, our pensioners received an increase of 13%. That was possible because the fund was in a healthy position at the end of 2025. Great news, of course! But we still need to be realistic because such a large increase isn’t possible every year. The pensions are now more closely linked to the economy, and unfortunately there’s a great deal of turmoil in the world at the moment. That has an impact on our sector, on the financial markets, and on our investment results. In September of each year, we assess whether we can increase the pension benefits and pension capitals in the following year, and by how much. Good to know: we spread out the investment results over several years. As a result, increases may be slightly lower, particularly in the first few years after the changeover. But that way, we can ensure that a disappointing year doesn’t have an immediate impact on the pensions. That’s how we protect your pension, both now and in the future. You can read more about this in the article on page 18. In this issue of Op Koers, you can also read about the seafarers of the future. Will there still be any? In any case, today’s seafarers are still very enthusiastic about their work. In this magazine, they talk about their passion for their profession. I hope you have a lovely summer!

René Hamstra Director, Bpf Koopvaardij Management Division