a.s.r. is in dialogue with stakeholders who influence the organisation both directly and indirectly and who are impacted by the activities of a.s.r. The main stakeholder groups of a.s.r. are summarised in the table at the end of this chapter. This stakeholder dialogues are the basis of the (re)assessment of a.s.r.'s materiality analysis.

Strategic, constructive and proactive consultations with all stakeholders are of great importance to a.s.r. a.s.r. does this by means of roadshows, customer or employee surveys, round table sessions, dialogue sessions and participation in sector initiatives. Members of the Management Board (MB) also regularly engage in dialogue with advisors, shareholders, legislators, politicians and civil society organisations. The purpose of these discussions is to discuss strategic progress, receive feedback on a.s.r.’s contribution to society and discuss developments within the financial sector.

a.s.r. also continuously monitors external trends and developments to determine which topics are most relevant to it and how it can contribute positively to them. Sources used for this purpose include reports by legislative and regulatory bodies, the World Economic Forum and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Other sources include scientific research, peer reports and media coverage.

In addition to this continuous stakeholder interaction and trend monitoring, a stakeholder dialogue was held in April 2023. This dialogue was held at a.s.r.’s office in Utrecht and was divided into of two sessions: one for employees, and one for external stakeholders. Members of the MB attended both plenary and breakout sessions to hear stakeholders’ views, answer questions and take part in discussions. a.s.r. carefully selected the stakeholders for this dialogue and ensured a good balance between all stakeholder groups. a.s.r. specifically invited stakeholders with a range of knowledge and experience on the three strategic sustainability themes of a.s.r.: i) Sustainable housing and living, ii) Financial self-reliance and inclusion, iii) Vitality and sustainable employability. Participants in the stakeholder dialogue were asked to give their views on these strategic sustainability themes in three separate break-out sessions. Participants were asked three questions:

• What are the most important challenges and barriers relating to the strategic sustainability theme?

• On which issues does a.s.r. need to focus in order to make the biggest impact?

• Which tools and partners are best suited for a.s.r.’s possibilities and ambitions?

The outcomes of the sessions were used as input for a.s.r.’s strategy on these themes. No distinction was made between the opinions of internal stakeholders and those of external stakeholders. The outcomes of the stakeholder dialogue were used by the MB and senior management to evaluate a.s.r.’s integrated strategy, which focuses on long-term value creation for all stakeholders.

Participants were also asked to give their input on the topics most material to a.s.r.’s strategy and reporting. This was done with the help of a survey that stakeholders filled in after the dialogue sessions. The results will be used to determine the material themes for the 2024 Annual Report in line with the new reporting legislation the ‘Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive’.

A new stakeholder policy, that aims to include the interests of relevant stakeholders when defining and further developing the sustainability strategy, was established in 2023. Effective consultation with, and engagement with, a.s.r.'s stakeholders is important in this process, where a.s.r. strives to serve their interests to the best of its ability and build lasting relationships with them. This policy provides guidelines and principles to maintain and strengthen these relationships.

Cooperation with stakeholders

a.s.r. works together with peers, social organisations and government agencies to jointly develop policies on sustainability issues and to promote the thorough implementation of such policies. This cooperation will even be stronger following the business combination with Aegon NL.

a.s.r. is an active member of sector initiatives such as, DNB’s Platform for Sustainable Finance, the Energy Efficient Mortgages Hub Netherlands, creditor s' coalition, the Platform Living Wage Financials and the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). To spread knowledge and inspire others, a.s.r. actively presents its sustainability approach and sustainability activities in a wide range of events, such as various seminars and meetings organised by parties such consultancy firms, the Dutch Association of Insurers, Volmacht 360, the Dutch Fund and Asset Management Association and Zorgverzekeraars Nederland.