7.11.3.1 Changes in comparative figures
The impact of these changes on a.s.r.’s profit before tax and shareholders returns is summarised in section 7.3.2.
7.11.3.2 Accounting policies
The company financial statements are prepared in accordance with Title 9, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. The consolidated financial statements of a.s.r. for 2024 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS – including the IAS and Interpretations – as accepted within the EU and with part 9 of the book of the Dutch Civil Code. In accordance with Section 362(8), Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, the same accounting policies for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities and determination of results applied to the company financial statements are applied to the consolidated financial statements.
Investments in group companies are recognised, using the equity method, in accordance with the accounting policies used in a.s.r.’s consolidated financial statements whereby the goodwill, if any, is presented separately. The share of profit of group companies is reported in conformity with the accounting policies used in a.s.r.’s consolidated financial statements.
Lease contracts are disclosed using IFRS 16 based on the option under RJ 292.1.
Unless stated otherwise, all amounts presented in these financial statements are in millions of €. Calculations in the tables are made using unrounded figures. As a result rounding differences can occur.
7.11.3.3 Acquisitions and legal mergers
In 2024, there were no acquisitions and legal mergers for a.s.r.
On July 2023, a.s.r. acquired the shares of Aegon NL. Following the acquisition, on 1 October 2023, Aegon NL has legally merged with a.s.r. As a result, Aegon NL ceased to exist as a separate legal entity.
7.11.3.4 Intangible assets
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Goodwill | 17 | 17 |
Intangible assets | 277 | 346 |
| | |
Total intangible assets | 295 | 363 |
The goodwill relates to the acquisition of BNG Vermogensbeheer in 2016 (€ 4 million) and to the acquisition of Generali in 2018 (€ 13 million). No impairments were deemed necessary. For more information see section 7.5.1.
Intangibles assets mainly relates to the intangible assets acquired through the acquisition of Aegon NL in 2023 and relates mainly to customer relationships, trade names and software. Intangible assets are amortized straight-line over their useful life, which is determined individually (between 5 and 20 years).
7.11.3.5 Property and equipment
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Right-of-use assets: | | |
Land and buildings owned by subsidiary | 210 | 230 |
Vehicles | 6 | 6 |
Other | 15 | 20 |
| | |
Total property and equipment | 230 | 256 |
The right-of-use assets includes property and equipment that is leased by a.s.r. Land and buildings owned by subsidiary relates mainly to the a.s.r. head office, which is owned by a.s.r. life.
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
At 1 January | 256 | 219 |
Additions | 1 | 2 |
Depreciation | -20 | -13 |
Remeasurement | - | 10 |
Impairments | -3 | - |
Other changes | - | -3 |
Changes in the composition of the group | -4 | 42 |
| | |
At 31 December | 230 | 256 |
| | |
Gross carrying amount as at 31 December | 364 | 378 |
Accumulated depreciation as at 31 December | -131 | -122 |
Accumulated impairments as at 31 December | -3 | - |
| | |
Net carrying value as at 31 December | 230 | 256 |
Depreciation of property and equipment is recorded in the operating expenses (see section 7.11.3.20).
7.11.3.6 Subsidiaries
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
At 1 January | 11,478 | 5,781 |
Additions | 10 | 13 |
Share of result | 1,402 | 1,115 |
Dividend received | -1,587 | -1,194 |
Revaluations | 198 | 202 |
Other changes | 13 | -9 |
Changes in the composition of the group | -854 | 5,570 |
| | |
At 31 December | 10,660 | 11,478 |
The changes in the composition of the group relate to Aegon NL (2023) and Knab (2024).
7.11.3.7 Loans to group companies
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
At 1 January | 378 | 68 |
Issues | 30 | 305 |
Repayments | -285 | - |
Revaluations | 1 | 1 |
Accrued interest | -1 | 4 |
| | |
At 31 December | 124 | 378 |
The loans to group companies with a principal amount of € 121 million (2023: € 376 million) are expected to be settled more than one year after the balance sheet date and have an average interest rate of 6.15% (2023: 6.22%). Interest income on loans to group companies amounts to € 6 million (2023: € 6 million). The repayment relates to Knab.
7.11.3.8 Investments
In 2024 excess cash is invested in short term corporate bonds (2023: short term government bonds).
7.11.3.9 Deferred tax liabilities
The deferred tax liabilities mainly arises from the difference in commercial and fiscal valuation of employee benefits (including the assets resulting from the insurance contracts, which are administrated by a.s.r. life and Aegon life) amounting to € 252 million (2023: € 180 million). These also consist of intangible fixed assets, investment property and technical provision valuations to market value.
7.11.3.10 Other receivables
The other receivables include receivables from group companies, which include the receivable (reimbursement right) with respect to insurance contracts for the pension plan of a.s.r. administered by a.s.r. life and Aegon life amounting to € 6,133 million (2023: € 6,044 million). The value is equal to the value of the related insurance contracts administered by a.s.r. life and Aegon life, which are both eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The remaining portion of the receivables from group companies is payable on demand.
7.11.3.11 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are fully and freely available.
7.11.3.12 Equity
| Share capital | Share premium reserve | Legal reserves | Actuarial gains and losses | Retained earnings | Treasury shares | Unappropriated result | Other equity instruments | Equity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At 1 January 2024 | 34 | 4,070 | 842 | -288 | 2,830 | -7 | 858 | 1,004 | 9,343 |
Appropriation of the result previous year | - | - | - | - | 858 | - | -858 | - | - |
Net result for the year | - | - | - | - | | - | 946 | - | 946 |
Dividend paid | - | - | - | - | -382 | - | -245 | - | -627 |
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligation | - | - | | 113 | - | - | - | - | 113 |
Unrealised change in value | - | - | 198 | - | -35 | - | - | - | 163 |
Change in reserves required by law | - | - | -183 | - | 183 | - | - | - | - |
Discretionary interest on other equity instruments | - | - | - | - | -63 | - | - | - | -63 |
Issue of other equity instruments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 500 | 500 |
Redemptions of other equity instruments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | -502 | -502 |
Cost of issue of other equity instruments | - | - | - | - | -5 | - | - | - | -5 |
Treasury shares acquired (-) / sold | - | - | - | - | -2 | -102 | - | - | -103 |
Other movements | - | - | - | - | 17 | - | - | 5 | 22 |
| | | | | | | | | |
At 31 December 2024 | 34 | 4,070 | 857 | -175 | 3,402 | -109 | 701 | 1,007 | 9,786 |
| Share capital | Share premium reserve | Legal reserves | Actuarial gains and losses | Retained earnings | Treasury shares | Unappropriated result | Other equity instruments | Equity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At 1 January 2023 | 24 | 1,533 | 288 | -168 | 5,389 | -79 | -1,841 | 1,004 | 6,150 |
Appropriation of the result previous year | - | - | - | - | -1,841 | - | 1,841 | - | - |
Net result for the year | - | - | - | - | | - | 1,086 | - | 1,086 |
Dividend paid | - | - | - | - | -254 | - | -228 | - | -482 |
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligation | - | - | - | -120 | - | - | - | - | -120 |
Unrealised change in value | - | - | 202 | - | -20 | - | - | - | 182 |
Change in reserves required by law | - | - | 352 | - | -352 | - | - | - | - |
Discretionary interest on other equity instruments | - | - | - | - | -48 | - | - | - | -48 |
Treasury shares acquired (-) / sold | - | - | - | - | -1 | -4 | - | - | -5 |
Increase (decrease) in capital | 10 | 2,537 | - | - | -40 | 75 | - | - | 2,582 |
Other movements | - | - | - | - | -1 | - | - | - | -1 |
| | | | | | | | | |
At 31 December 2023 | 34 | 4,070 | 842 | -288 | 2,830 | -7 | 858 | 1,004 | 9,343 |
Share capital
For a breakdown of the share capital, see section 7.5.11.1.
Legal reserves
The legal reserves relate to the revaluation of investments in group companies. The legal reserves are maintained in relation to the (not yet received as dividend) share in the result (and other additions to equity) of group companies accounted for using the equity method since initial recognition reduced with the amount of dividend that a.s.r. is able to distribute without restrictions. The legal reserves are not freely distributable. See section 7.9 for more information on the regulatory restrictions.
Treasury shares
For more information on treasury shares, see section 7.5.11.5.
Other equity instruments
The other equity instruments relate to two different hybrid Tier 1 instruments (2023: two different hybrid Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruments) classified as equity. See section 7.5.11.6 for more information.
Freely distributable items
The part of equity attributable to shareholders that is available for dividend distributions is limited by the Dutch Civil Code and the Dutch Supervisory Rules and Regulations (Solvency II requirements). The distribution of capital is restricted in accordance with the Dutch Civil Code for share capital and statutory reserves. The Solvency II requirements stipulate that a.s.r. must maintain a minimum amount of capital.
The freely distributable reserves is based on the lowest outcome of the restrictions from the Dutch Civil Code and the Solvency II requirements. This is further explained in the table below:
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Equity attributable to shareholders | 8,779 | 8,339 |
Non distributable items | | |
- Share capital1 | 34 | 34 |
- Legal reserves | 857 | 842 |
Distributable items based on the Dutch Civil Code | 7,889 | 7,463 |
| | |
Reserves available for financial supervision purposes | 12,321 | 11,578 |
Solvency II requirement under the Financial Supervision Act | 6,209 | 6,581 |
Distributable items based on the Solvency II requirements | 6,112 | 4,997 |
| | |
Freely distributable items (lower of the values above) | 6,112 | 4,997 |
- 1 Less the nominal value of treasury shares if applicable
For more information on Solvency II capital management objectives see section 7.9.1.
7.11.3.13 Employee benefits
Employee benefits can be broken down as follows (see section 7.5.15 for further details):
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Post-employment benefits pensions | 4,974 | 5,160 |
Post-employment benefits other than pensions | 35 | 39 |
Post-employment benefit obligation | 5,010 | 5,199 |
| | |
Other long-term employee benefits | 27 | 19 |
| | |
Total | 5,036 | 5,218 |
7.11.3.14 Other provisions
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
At 1 January | 84 | 3 |
Additional provisions | 28 | 65 |
Reversal of unused amounts | -1 | -1 |
Utilised in course of year | -32 | -9 |
Changes in the composition of the group | - | 25 |
| | |
At 31 December | 79 | 84 |
Provisions primarily relate to provisions for employee restructuring and retained disability risk. See section 7.5.16 for more information.
The timing of the outflow of resources related to these provisions is uncertain because of the unpredictability of the outcome and time required for the settlement of disputes.
An amount of € 52 million (2023: € 70 million) of the provisions is expected to be settled within twelve months after the balance sheet date.
7.11.3.15 Subordinated liabilities
For information regarding the subordinated liabilities see section 7.5.12.
7.11.3.16 Borrowings
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Loans | 597 | 596 |
Lease liabilities | 229 | 248 |
| | |
Total borrowings | 826 | 845 |
The loans relate to the issue of the green senior bond under the a.s.r. Green Finance Framework of € 600 million in 2023. The bond has a maturity of 5 years with a fixed rate coupon of 3.625%.
The lease liabilities consist primarily € 215 million (2023: € 220 million) of the lease of the a.s.r. head office from a.s.r. life. The interest rate for the lease of the head office is 1.5% (2023: 1.5%). The maturity of this contract is 31 years, which includes the total of five extension options of five years each.
An amount of € 15 million (2023: € 20 million)of the lease liabilities is expected to be settled within twelve months after the balance sheet date.
7.11.3.17 Debts to group companies
Debts to group companies with a principal amount of € 205 million (2023: € 996 million) have an average interest rate of 3.86 % in 2024 (2023: 3.92%). The maturity of the loans varies from 1 - 3 years. An amount of € 30 million of the debt to group companies is expected to be settled less than or equal to one year after the balance sheet date.
There is no significant difference between the carrying amount of the debt to group companies and the fair value of these liabilities. No securities or guarantees have been agreed and no collateral is posted.
7.11.3.18 Due to banks
In 2024, due to banks amounted to € nil (2023: € 200 million).
7.11.3.19 Other liabilities
| 2024 | 2023 |
---|---|---|
Short-term employee benefits | 27 | 18 |
Trade payables | 24 | 10 |
Other liabilities | 243 | 306 |
| | |
Total other liabilities | 295 | 334 |
The carrying amount of other liabilities is a good approximation of their fair value.
7.11.3.20 Operating expenses
The operating expenses of € 279 million (2023: € 211 million) are operating expenses relating to holding activities. The increase in the operating expenses is mainly due to the integration of Aegon NL entities. See section 7.6.11 for the total operating expenses of the Group. Operating expenses also include depreciation of the right-of-use assets owned by subsidiaries of € 16 million (2023: € 12 million).
The average number of employees working for a.s.r. is 7,684 (2023: 6,154), all working in the Netherlands. a.s.r. allocates expenses to subsidiaries according to the extent to which the expenses incurred can be related to the activities of the subsidiary. This allocation is reassessed each year.
7.11.3.21 Investment income
The investment income of € 225 million (2023: € 72 million) mainly increased as a result of an increase in the interest income relating to the employee benefits obligation allocated to the holding.
7.11.3.22 Interest expense
The interest expense relates primarily to the interest on subordinated liabilities, interest owed to credit institutions and to the interest on the lease liabilities.
7.11.3.23 Auditor’s fees
The following fees for the financial years have been charged by KPMG Accountants N.V. to a.s.r., its subsidiaries and other consolidated entities, on an accrual basis.
Amounts in € thousands | 2024 | 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|
| KPMG | KPMG | Other auditor |
Audit of the financial statements | 16,714 | 15,410 | 6,144 |
Other audit engagements | 2,818 | 1,712 | 2,076 |
| | | |
Total audit fees | 19,532 | 17,123 | 8,220 |
Fees for audit engagements include fees paid for the audit of the consolidated and company financial statements, quarterly reports and other reports.
In the above mentioned years no fees were paid for tax-related advisory services to KPMG Accountants N.V. and no fees were paid to other KPMG networks, other than KPMG Accountants N.V.
7.11.3.24 Related parties
A related party is a person or entity that has significant influence over another entity, or has the ability to affect the financial and operating policies of the other party. Parties related to a.s.r. include associates, joint ventures, members of the EB and MB, members of the SB, close family members of any person referred to above, entities controlled or significantly influenced by any person referred to above and any other affiliated entity.
a.s.r. enters into transactions with related parties during the conduct of its business. These transactions mainly involve loans, debts, deposits and commissions, and are conducted on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions.
Related party transactions in relation to members of the EB, MB and SB are mentioned in section 7.7.4 of the consolidated financial statements. In this chapter are also the related party transactions in relation to Aegon Ltd and its group companies (since Aegon Ltd. has significant influence over a.s.r.) mentioned.
The remuneration of the EB and SB members of a.s.r. is disclosed in section 7.7.5 of the consolidated financial statements.
The loans (including interest income) and debts to group companies are described in 7.11.3.7 respectively 7.11.3.17 of the financial company statements.
The post-employment benefit plan of a.s.r. is administered by a.s.r. life and Aegon life. For information regarding to this plan reference is made to section 7.11.3.10 of this company financial statements.
7.11.3.25 Contingent liabilities
Joint and several liability
a.s.r. forms a fiscal unity for corporate income tax and VAT with nearly all of its subsidiaries. The company and its subsidiaries that form part of the fiscal unity are jointly and separately liable for taxation payable by the fiscal entity.
A statement of joint and several liability under section 403, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code has been issued by a.s.r. for the companies identified in section 7.7.9.
Utrecht, 25 March 2025
Executive Board
Jos Baeten
Ewout Hollegien
Ingrid de Swart
Supervisory Board
Joop Wijn
Bob Elfring
Sonja Barendregt
Gisella Eikelenboom
Gerard van Olphen
Daniëlle Jansen Heijtmajer
Lard Friese