A General Meeting of Shareholders is held at least once a year. Its main function is to decide matters such as the adoption of annual accounts, the approval of dividend payments and appointments to AEGON's Executive and Supervisory Boards. Meetings are convened by public notice. 

Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders may be convened by the Supervisory Board or the Executive Board whenever deemed necessary. In addition, shareholders representing at least 10% of the outstanding share capital may request the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board to convene an extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

Every shareholder is entitled to attend the General Meeting of Shareholders and to speak and vote in the meeting, either in person or by proxy granted in writing, provided that is complied with the applicable statutory provisions. When convening General Meeting of Shareholders, the Executive Board can set a record date for determining the entitlement of shareholders to attend and vote at the General Meeting.

As a participant of  'Stichting Communicatiekanaal Aandeelhouders', a Dutch foundation with the purpose of enhancing communication with and participation of shareholders at General Meetings (see related links at the right hand side) AEGON welcomes the possibility of voting by proxy. Moreover, proxies are solicited from New York registered shareholders in accordance with US practice.

At the General Meeting of Shareholders each share is entitled to one vote; however, the holder of preferred shares, Vereniging AEGON, is entitled to cast 2.08 votes per preferred share in the event of a 'special cause' and limited to a period of six months per 'special cause'. In this respect reference is made to the section on Vereniging AEGON on this website (see related links at the right hand side). At the General Meeting of Shareholders all resolutions are adopted by an absolute majority of the valid votes, unless a greater majority is required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation.

Please see related documents on the right for publications of the annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

Please note that, beginning in 2007, the annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be conducted in English, with Dutch translation available. In addition, the 2006 annual report and future annual reports will be published in English only. A comprehensive summary of the annual report will be provided in both Dutch and English.