Press Release
19 May 2015

National Pension Committee: bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies

The NPC’s first meeting will take place in June

 

Today, Wednesday 13th May, The Chamber of Deputies has passed the Minister Daniel BACQUELAINE’s bill to establish a National Pension Committee (NPC). On 29th April last the Social Affairs Committee had already given its consent to the bill. The text of the law will soon be published in the Belgian law gazette.

The Minister for Pensions, Daniel BACQUELAINE : « The approval of this bill by the Chamber of Deputies is a new step taken in the efforts to reform our pension system. This steps clearly shows the pivotal role the government assigns to negotiations with the social partners and I can only express my great satisfaction».
 

  1. Establishment of a National Pension Committee

Reminder: in this body for negotiations with the social partners employers, self-employed persons, employees and government officials will be represented. Its task will be to define the principles of the various major and structural reforms. This concerns, inter alia, taking into account the burden of professions and the possibility of part-time retirement.

The National Pension Committee will be housed in the offices of the National Labour Council. This  ‘two-under-one-roof’-formula will enable the best possible synergies between the two aforementioned bodies. In addition, the NPC will have access to the knowledge and the experience the National Labour Council has with negotiations with the social partners.

 

  1. Estalishment of a Knowledge Centre and an Academic Council

According to the bill two additional bodies will be established:

 

  • A Knowledge Centre centralizing the knowledge from the various government departments and bodies. This Knowledge Centre will provide technical assistance to the assessment and implementation of the reforms. The Knowledge Centre will be housed in the offices of the Federal Planning Bureau which already performs a number of studies and work in the field of pensions.
     
  • An Academic Council composed of 12 experts will provide the government with scientific and substantiated advice on pensions. The Pension Reform Commission 2020-2040 will hand on the torch to this new Academic Council.
     

Contact

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