Schedule
Three phases: opinion-forming, transition and implementation
We’re working through three phases before actually implementing the new pension scheme.
We’ll be making the final switch to the new pension scheme by 2028, although our target date is 1 July 2026. So it will take some time.
The further down the line we are, the more you’ll hear from us about it.
Watch Suzanne van Kooten and Hans Veltman talk about the latest developments in a 12-minute video update, produced in summer 2025 (English subtitles).
Preparing for the future: TNO Pension Fund has started the journey to a new system and is preparing for the transition.
Opinion-forming phase
This opinion-forming phase is now largely complete. We are on the road to the transition. The legislation came into effect on 1 July 2023 and a number of choices were made, including the (intended) date for the transition to the new scheme, the type of contract and that accrued pension entitlements will carry over to the new pension scheme. A detailed decision list has been prepared for the transition to the new pension scheme.
The (provisional) transition date has been set at 1 July 2026.
The pension committee and eTNOs are closely involved during each of the phases, as it is stipulated by law that the social partners are responsible for the transition plan. This is how eTNOs exercised the right to be heard. You can read more about this in the transition plan.
The first part of the conceptualisation phase concluded with the delivery of the transition plan in late 2024. The first part of the imaging phase will conclude with the delivery of the transition plan in late 2024. Several scenario calculations have been carried out for this transition plan, providing insight into the consequences of some choices.
The mid-2025 delivery of the implementation plan and all associated documents marked the completion of the second part of the opinion-forming phase. The focus of this phase was on the balance of the overall transition to the new pension system.
Now that the implementation plan has been delivered, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) will start reviewing the TNO Pension Fund documents. They have up to six months to do this.
Transition phase
We’re now entering transition phase, which is based on the transition and implementation plans. Preparations are currently underway to transfer the accrued pension entitlements and commenced pension rights to the new scheme by 1 July 2026 (this is also referred to as ‘invaren’).
The social partners (Works Council and TNO Executive Board) have made agreements on the new scheme and its principles, and have set these out in the transition plan.
TNO Pension Fund then assessed whether and how the new pension scheme can be implemented in practice. The implementation plan sets out how this transition will take place and how pensions and accrued pensions will be converted to the new pension scheme.
Implementation phase
Our pension administrator AZL adapted all of the systems before the start of the implementation phase to switch to the new pension scheme. We will then be in 2026. About a month before the final transition to the new system, you will receive a statement with various pension information. With this information, you will gain insight into all of the facets of old and new. You will then know exactly where you stand and how the change to the new pension scheme will affect your pension. With this step, we complete the implementation phase. Everyone has been transferred to the new pension scheme.
TNO Pension Fund aims to introduce the new schemes on 1 July 2026.