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.

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.   

Pensions is, and will remain, an important condition of employment for Shell. We realise that our pension will have to change in line with developments in the Netherlands and that will have consequences for existing employees. In making the changes we will also look at possible improvements in the schemes. We think that offering choices to employees (including a good default if you do not want to make choices), clarity and transparency, are important features in developing the new pension scheme. Furthermore, we value good communication and providing opportunities to improve insight into your financial situation after retirement. 

That is not yet known. Under the new premium contribution scheme, a certain level of pension contribution will be paid on a monthly basis. The contribution will be subject to a fiscal maximum. 

Each company will have to set a defined pension contribution within the fiscal limits, and the level of employer and employee contributions and possible choices. This is part of the many aspects that will have to be discussed with the Central Staff Council.  

The longer you work, the more pension you accrue. Furthermore, the value of your accrued pension will, in principle, be retained. Even if this accrued value were to be converted into the new pension scheme, this would not only apply to the pension you have already accrued but also to all pensions in payment. Early retirement would not prevent that.  

There may also be other reasons for you to retire early. If you would like to discuss this option, please contact Achmea Pension Services.  

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. 

Therefore this  website has 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, July and September information sessions have taken  place in which we have discussed the changes, the most important choices we have to make and where we stand in the process. 

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.