Dutch pension funds had an average coverage ratio of 99% at the end of April, down one percentage point on March, according to monthly research by human resources advisory group Aon Hewitt.

Pension funds are required to have a coverage ratio of 105%. This means their assets should be sufficient to cover 105% of their payouts.
A large number of Dutch funds are expected to either freeze or reduce pensions next year in an effort to restore their ratios, which have been hit by low interest rates and the economic downturn.