The agreement was signed by the trade unions FNV (Federatie Nederlands Vakbeweging) Finance and CNV Vakmensen.

Crucial elements of the new collective bargaining agreement, as declared by the Company, are:
·       Salaries will increase by 3% on 1 January 2022 and 1% on 1 January 2023
·       A one-time gross payment of €750 for each employee in January 2023.
·       A one-time net climate budget of €2,500 to be spent from 2023.
·       Pension contributions to be capped at 40% of the pension base.
·       Unlimited training budget for all employees and temporary staff employed for more than three months.
·       Made-to-measure bereavement leave (no maximum).
·       Early retirement scheme (RVU) for employees within three years of the state pension age.

The company also provides for  a "climate budget" of €2,500 to all its 12,000 employees for buying products and services that contribute to sustainability and to improve the climate (ex.: the purchase of solar panels, home insulation, AAA appliances or a heat pump, as well as sustainable mobility, such as an (electric) bicycle), aiming to encourage employees to become "more ecological".

It includes an unlimited training budget for all employees and temporary workers employed for more than three months, giving all employees the opportunity to follow training courses they select from a broad training catalogue.

Bianca Tetteroo, chair of the Executive Board of Achmea, said: “We want to create sustainable value for our customers, our employees, and our business and for society. This new agreement means that we are again investing in sustainable employment practices for now and the future. We are offering a total package that gives employees important benefits and allows them to use and develop their talents to the maximum extent.”

These innovative provisions show that the world of work is changing and with it the social partners' attention to the most pressing issues, from climate change to the training and skills of their staff to talent retention.