Focus Conference 2026

Transition Blues

The pension sector has officially been “in transition” for over a year. In reality, the transition to the new pension regime has been underway for much longer. Moreover, the 2028 deadline is approaching rapidly. The preparation, implementation and follow-up are taking longer than anticipated and require considerable effort from all parties involved. Pensioen Pro’s Focus Conference zooms in on the transition and the Wtp, covering topics ranging from AI, IT and communication to buy-outs and investment dilemmas.

Wednesday 18 March 2026
Jaarbeurs, Supernova, Jaarbeursplein 6, 3521 AL Utrecht

Register

Note that the registration form is Dutch only.
Please contact Bouwien Hoorntje for help registering.

Programme

This is a draft programme and is subject to change.

10:45 - 11:15

Registration, coffee and networking

11:15-12:00

Workshop

The vision of the consultants

Consultants have been extremely busy for years due to the transition. How do they view the practical implementation of the Future Pensions Act (Wtp) so far? What differences do they see in the approach taken by different pension funds? And is the new system delivering on its promises?

Speakers: Marc Heemskerk (Mercer), Corine Reedijk (Aon) and Stefan van de Giessen, Montae & Partners.

11:15-12:00

Masterclass

This event is by invitation only.

During an exclusive masterclass in the pre-programme of the Pensioen Pro Focus Conference, Mike Troncoso – former right-hand man to Kamala Harris and political advisor to Mark Zuckerberg – will share his insights into the current American political climate, risks for investors in US equities, and the upcoming midterm elections. Robert Rothman (partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP) offers additional expert commentary. The masterclass will be introduced by Wijnanda Rutten (prominent pension expert and judge) and has limited seating.

12:00-13:00
Registration and lunch
 
13:00
Opening
André de Vos, Editor Print and Events Pensioen Pro

13:10-13:40
Keynote 

The ethics of artificial intelligence

Speaker: Iris Muis, Team Lead and member of the Knowledge Valorisation team, Utrecht University

13:40-14:00
Presentation

IT change completed — what now? Moving into WTP operations.

Anyone who believes that go live is the finish line will face transition blues. Together with Heineken, we show how Lumera’s Digital Twin approach enables controlled transition to WTP operations, covering parallel runs, team readiness, key lessons learned, and a realistic outlook that also addresses the TWK challenge.

Speakers: Oscar Robert, Actuary at Lumera and Olaf Flippo, Managing Director at Heineken Pension Fund

14:00-14:20

Presentation

The pension landscape under the Wtp

What does the pension landscape look like under the Wtp? An exploratory look at the relationship between pension funds and fiduciaries, and developments in the broader stakeholder field: from (regulations concerning) outsourcing to collaboration between various partners in the chain.

Speaker: Anne Wilschut, COO BlackRock Netherlands & Nordics

14:20-14:45

Break

15:45-16:10
Break

16:10-16:35
Keynote

Be creative, there's more possible than you might think

The AFM on communication during the transition process and under the new regime.

Speaker: Anne de Groot, programme director pension transition, AFM

16:35 – 16:55
Presentation

Reducing costs in the Wtp: from compliance to efficiency

The Wtp transition had a clear ambition: lower implementation costs through simplification, economies of scale and standardisation. That promise has not yet been fulfilled, partly due to the many exceptions in pension schemes. However, targeted simplification, combined with technological developments such as AI and Cloud, can still ensure future-proof benefit administration after the transition: more efficient, scalable and better manageable.

Speaker: Wouter Boeser, Director, Keylane

16:55-17:15

Presentation
Time for Europe to shine
Europe is planning massive investments in domestic production, energy, and defense. European equities remain attractively valued, creating a rare window of opportunity for investors. With political and economic momentum shifting toward greater European self-sufficiency, which geopolitical scenario’s should investors take into account and how does a bigger focus on Europe affect their portfolio?

Speaker: Hilde Jenssen, Head of Fundamental Equities , Nordea Asset Management 
 

17:00-17:55

Panel discussion
Transition Blues

At the beginning of 2026, ten million participants will have transitioned to the new system. This is a colossal operation that will continue to take shape this year. Administrators discuss their experiences (and the differences with 2025), communication with participants, the 2028 deadline and the future under the Wtp.

With Alexandra Phillippi (PGGM), Paul Everloo (TKP Pensioen) and Mariëlle Lichtenberg (Blue Sky Group), among others.

17:55-18:00

Closing remarks

18:00

Networking reception

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