The policy funding ratio of Mars Pensioenfonds has been rising in recent months. One reason is the increase in the interest rate. As a result, the technical provisions (commitments) are decreasing. Even though we have had a slightly positive return on investment. The policy funding ratio was 118.4% in May 2021 and has increased compared with April 2021.

A few weeks ago, we published the annual report for 2020. In the annual report the pension board gives account to you, the members of the fund. For instance on policy pursued, financial results and administrative costs. Other topics include the sustainability of the investment policy and application of the pension fund code. All in all, the annual report presents a lot of information on how we are doing. We have listed the key figures for you. Would you like to read more? Or have access to the comprehensive annual report? Then go to our website.

At Mars Pensioenfonds we think it is important that you have a good pension. All the people at Mars Pensioenfonds feel this responsibility for your pension every day. But who are these people? And what exactly do they do?

In every newsletter we have a ‘People behind the fund' section, where we put the spotlight on a different group that is committed to your pension. What do they do? In which body? And why?

This time: Harold van Heesch, on behalf of the ASP Member Group

You accrue pension in the ARP/ASP plan. This is what is known as a defined contribution plan. This means that it is not certain in advance how much pension you will receive. Instead, you accrue a personal pension capital with which you can buy a pension later.

As you probably know, your ARP/ASP plan consists of two parts: the Associate Retirement Plan (ARP) and the Associate Selection Plan (ASP). Mars pays the contribution for the ARP part into a personal ARP account. You do not pay any contribution for this yourself. The contribution for the ASP part consists of three components:

• Compulsory employee contribution
• Additional employer contribution
• Voluntary employee contribution

Mars finds it important that you build up a secure pension. The additional employer contribution means that if you have opted for a voluntary employee contribution, this will be doubled by Mars!

Are you going on holiday again soon? If you take holidays, you will (fortunately!) receive your salary as usual. And you continue to accrue pension under the ARP/ASP plan. But taking unpaid leave may have consequences for your pension. Unpaid leave includes parental leave or a sabbatical.

If you take parental leave, Mars will supplement your pension accrual for the part that you would normally ‘miss out on'. Mars will pay the pension contribution for the number of hours you will be working less and you will continue to accrue your full pension.

Do you know the consequences of taking leave for your pension? And the consequences for your partner pension?

Do you have any questions about an item from this newsletter? Or about your pension? Then contact us at 0800 02 02 156. We are ready to help you on working days from 9 am to 5 pm. Or send an email to pensioendesk@marspensioen.nl. Please state the pension number in your email.