'The costs of our asset managers must be drastically reduced'
The number of AOb'People in the Accountability Council of the ABP pension fund rose from four to five last week. Teacher Agnes Tay was appointed for her second term in the 'ABP parliament' with more than two thousand preferential votes. "Of course I go for the annual indexation of our pensions."
Picture: Fred van diem
You did that nicely!
“Yes, I am very happy with the election results. Fortunately, I have campaigned vigorously in my area for a reason. I have been working as a teacher of business economics at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) since 2006. My colleagues really noticed that they could vote for me. I also prodded voters through family, friends and acquaintances.”
How?
“I've had two and a half years a website with which I inform my supporters about what I do in the Accountability Council, which I am now serving for a second four-year term. I also explain on my site what I do as chairman of the central participation council of the AUAS. I've been there for six years, the last two years as chairman. I also distributed flyers for my ABP campaign and I was also featured in an AUAS news item with an interview.”
Why is that second term so important to you?
“The first two years in the Accountability Body were mainly a learning experience. It seemed a real shame that my knowledge would be lost. Hence my campaign, because with my place on the electoral list, the chance that I would be in it did not seem great. Fortunately, I easily reached the quota with those 2011 votes. Half would have been enough."
Why weren't you in a guaranteed electable place?
"I do not know. With the AObI did talk about my performance in the first term. We were very satisfied with each other. But apparently there were considerations to put me one spot lower on the list.”
How did you get on the electoral roll four years ago?
“A colleague saw that I have strong analytical skills. He also saw how I replied to the dean at the AUAS on the participation council. He thought that the ABP board could use this firm approach and pointed me in the right direction for the application. In the ensuing conversation with the AOb they also saw in me a good representative. After a successful campaign, I was allowed to join the conversation a little later about the many billions in the ABP pension fund.”
What are your priorities?
“Investing green, for example in the energy transition. Don't invest in companies with questionable tax morals. Obviously not in companies with child labour: children belong in school. Furthermore, the costs of our asset managers must be drastically reduced. That costs billions every year, while those managers are barely transparent about why their work costs us so much. And of course I am committed to the annual indexation of our pensions. Not just that of my already retired husband or soon that of myself. But of course especially for the pension of those 3 million other people who are saving for their pension with ABP or are already receiving it.”
Also read: Doubling AOb-seats among retirees at ABP
