First meeting of the National Pension Committee

On Friday 26^th June the Minister for Pensions, Daniel Bacquelaine, and the Minister for Self-Employed Persons, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Agriculture and Social Integration, Willy Borsus, inaugurated the National Pension Committee (NPC).

This intersectoral consultative body brings together representatives from employers, self-employed persons, employees and the government. The NPC’s task will be to mark the contours for all pension schemes (employees, self-employed persons and the public sector) and for the various major, structural reforms such as taking into account the burden of work, the possibility to take up part-time retirement, points awarding pension schemes or even the modernization of the family dimension of our pension system.

Minister Daniel BACQUELAINE: « The NPC’s first meeting is an important step taken in the efforts to reform our pension system and clearly shows the pivotal role the government assigns to negotiations with the social partners. The priority will be to draw up an objective list of heavy and demanding jobs. I wish all parties involved a wonderful end result. »

Minister Willy BORSUS: «With representatives from employees, the self-employed and civil servants united in the National Pension Committee it  is the first time that government bodies break the boundaries of pension schemes. Our self-employed are entitled to a decent pension, particularly given the risks they take. Therefore due attention must be paid to them with every pension reform. The new rules we are now introducing must be adjusted and be adjustable to the special circumstances self-employed persons find themselves in. This brand-new Committee will focus on this important issue'."

The Act of 21st May 2015 establishes the National Pension Committee, in addition to a Knowledge Centre and an Academic Council.

The Knowledge Centre will provide any and all technical assistance required for assessing and implementing pension resolutions. The Knowledge Centre’s steering committee already convened on 8th June last in order to prepare the work to be embarked on by the NPC.  The Academic Council, established in succession to the Pension Reform Commission 2020-2040, will provide scientific and substantiated advice on pensions.

During its meeting of 25^th June last the Council of Ministers approved the Royal Decree appointing the members of the Academic Council. The Academic Council will be chaired by Professor Frank Vandenbroucke.

Contact

Koen Peumans, spokesperson for Daniel Bacquelaine, Minister of Pensions
+32(0)473/81.11.06 -  koen.peumans@bacquelaine.fed.be