The Future Pensions Act (WTP) applies to everyone in the Netherlands. Although the pensioners and former colleagues no longer accrue a pension at Shell, they too will notice the consequences of the new pension law. The changes depend on in which pension scheme you have accrued pension in the past. You can read more about that in this section.
Adjusting the pension schemes is a major task in which many parties are involved. Shell Netherlands, together with the Central Works Council (COR), is busy preparing and determining the next steps. We work closely with the COR and explore the various possibilities together. In addition, Shell NL and the COR are having conversations with the pension funds and the VOEKS (the Association of Former Employees of the “Royal/Shell”). VOEKS has a hearing right. This means that pensioners can give their opinion on the changes via VOEKS. Shell and the COR must then take this into account in the consultation process. Ultimately, there must be a balanced decision for all stakeholders, including the employer. The stakeholders include current employees, pensioners, former colleagues and the employer.
We think it is important to keep everyone involved well informed. For example, various information sessions have already taken place in the past and we have explained the Pension Agreement and the new pension legislation via, for example, infographics and other tools. You can find this communication here. This website is also an example of this. This site has been developed to inform all parties involved about the changes in the pension at Shell in The Netherlands.
The new pension law applies to everyone in the Netherlands. Although the pensioners and former colleagues no longer accrue a pension at Shell, they too may notice the consequences of the new law. The changes depend on which pension scheme you have accrued pension in the past. For former participants and pensioners who have accrued pension in the SSPF scheme in the past, the following may change:
Whether or not to convert the accrued pension into the new premium scheme is discussed by Shell and the COR. The financial position of the pension fund plays a role in this, among other things. Shell and the COR will discuss the possibilities and whether the relevant conditions are met. You can read more about this under ‘What does this mean for you? ‘.
If you have accrued pension in the SNPS scheme in the past, then nothing will change for you.
The changes depend on which pension scheme you have accrued pension in, in the past. The SSPF scheme applies to former colleagues who joined Shell before 1 July 2013. The SNPS scheme applies to former colleagues who joined Shell on or after 1 July 2013. Please read on below.
The new pension legislation affects not only current employees, but also pensioners and former employees. That is unique as normally legislative changes apply only to the future, but the new pension legislation also affects the pensions of former colleagues and pensioners. It is not allowed to approach the different types of participants differently. So, if the pensions are converted, the same applies to the pensions of the pensioners and former colleagues. But if the exception can be used, then this will also apply to the pensioners and former colleagues. The interests of these two groups must also be taken into account by Shell NL and the Central Staff Council (COR) in the consultation process. In addition, Shell NL and the COR are in discussion with VOEKS, the Association of Former Employees of the “Royal/Shell”. VOEKS has a right to be heard and involved. In the end, there must be a balanced decision for all parties involved, including the employer.
We are busy mapping out the consequences and analyzing the various possibilities. This will be the basis for the discussions with the Central Staff Council (COR) and VOEKS and of course also with the pension funds. This will ultimately lead to a proposed decision which will be submitted to the COR for approval. It will describe the consequences for various age groups. This decision then will be shared with the pension funds for further decision-making and implementation. In the case of the pension funds, the accountability body has a role in the decision-making process. Although more and more is becoming clear, it will not yet be known what the exact changes will be on an individual level. It will become more clear during the implementation process by the pension fund. Given the implementation period that the government has in mind (somewhere between 2023 and 2028), this may take some time. We will keep you informed via the website.
The Central Staff Council has a right to consent with respect to a proposed amendment to the pension agreement between the employer and the employee. As soon as there is a proposed decision the Central Staff Council will be asked for consent. The Central Staff Council has established a Pension Committee with specific knowledge on pensions.
We believe that proper consultation is very important and therefore regularly consult both the Pension Committee and the Central Staff Council regarding the developments. In these discussions, we have shared a lot of knowledge and we looked at the changes that the WTP prescribes, the possibilities that exist and what that will mean for Shell.
We expect the process of formal consultation with the Central Staff Council to start around the summer of 2023. Concrete proposals will be discussed. During this process, the VOEKS hearing rights committee will also be involved. They may give an opinion on the transition plan. All this will eventually lead to a proposed decision that will be submitted to the Central Staff Council for approval.
Good communication is important for the success of this transition. “Winning hearts and minds” is our motto. Our aim is for people to trust Shell’s good intentions and in the process we have gone through together.
A new online information platform has therefore been developed: “The new pension at Shell”. Everyone (current and former employees) can go to this website for information. All the information provided is available to everyone. You will also see an interactive timeline on the platform, so that it is clear where we stand in the process. Now the new legislation has been approved by the Senate, a process of decision-making and consultation by Shell NL, the Central Staff Council and the Pension Funds will follow. It will take a while before the individual consequences will be known exactly. Nevertheless, we would like to keep you informed of the developments via the website.
In June and July 2023 new information sessions will also take place in which we will discuss the changes, the most important choices we have to make and where we stand in the process. We will also introduce the parties involved in the process to you.
Pension is a complex subject and that makes communication about it a challenge. By using various tools, we want to explain the changes and the process to you in a simple manner. We will also consider the information access of the various participants. The primary information channel is the website, but in addition, information sessions will also be organized, and we will use info graphics, videos, and other media channels. As soon as the individual consequences are known, you will be informed individually by the pension fund. If you want to know more about your current pension, you can visit the website of the pension fund (www.shellpensioen.nl). You can also view your own pension online via www.shellpensioen.nl/my pension. Log in with your DigiD.
You can contact the project group via this contact form. However, we can not answer individual questions about what exactly the changes mean for your pension at this moment. After the consultation with the COR has been completed and a new pension scheme has been agreed, the pension fund will inform you at any point about what it will mean for your own pension. Do you still have questions for the project team? If so, please fill in the contact form.
Questions about your current pension or pension benefit, you can ask the pension fund. If you have any questions about your current pension or pension benefit, you can ask the Pension Fund. The Pension Fund can be reached on weekdays from 8.30 am to 5 pm at +31 (0)88 462 34 56.
This is a joint website of Shell Netherlands and the Dutch Shell Pension Funds. This website is intended to inform all participants about the changes to our pension scheme as a result of the new ‘Future Pensions Act’. You cannot derive any rights from this website or from any content on this website. You can only derive rights from the pension scheme regulations applicable to you.
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