2018 was an important year for Aegon. We expanded distribution, strengthened our capital position and signed new service partnerships on policy administration in the US and UK.
First quarter
- Transamerica transfer the administration of its insurance and annuity businesses to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
- Transamerica launches a new USD 100 million US affordable housing fund. The fund is the first of its kind and will finance home loans across 13 states.
- Aegon introduces its new 'Goed met Geld' — or 'Mastering Money' — financial awareness program in the Netherlands.
Second quarter
- Aegon Asset Management sets up a new EUR 120 million innovation fund in the Netherlands. The fund will invest in around 85 small and medium-sized Dutch companies.
- Aegon completes the sale of Aegon Ireland for EUR 195 million to Athora Holding.
- William Connelly becomes Chairman of Aegon's Supervisory Board. He takes over from Rob Routs, who announced his retirement as Chairman in 2017.
- Shareholders approve the reappointment of Supervisory Board members Corien Wortmann and Robert Dineen for another four years. Both joined the Board in 2014.
- Aegon decides to exclude investments in tobacco. The Company will sell or run off approximately EUR 500 million in current tobacco investments.
- Aegon's Center for Longevity and Retirement releases its latest report, calling for a new social contract for pensions and retirement.
- Aegon is among investors pledging USD 350 million to support the Dementia Discovery Fund, dedicated to finding new treatments for the disease.
Third quarter
- Aegon announces plans to expand its partnership with Spain's Banco Santander. The plans give Aegon access to another four million potential customers in Spain.
- Aegon buys Robidus, a leading income protection services provider. The acquisition will strengthen Aegon's existing income protection services for Dutch employers.
- Aegon agrees to divest the last of its US life reinsurance business to SCOR Global Life.
- Aegon agrees to sell its businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to NN Group. The sale closed in January 2019.
- Aegon US subsidiaries reach a settlement with the SEC over concerns relating to certain investment models.
Fourth quarter
- Transamerica announces it has settled a US class action suit challenging rate adjustments on universal life insurance policies.
- Aegon UK signs a new 15-year contract with Atos. The digital services provider will take over the administration of policies belonging to around 1.4 million customers.
- CEO Alex Wynaendts tells a conference in Munich that the Netherlands 'waited too long' before bringing in an individualized pension system.
- Aegon decides to exclude investments in oil sands because of concerns over environmental damage. The decision was announced publicly in February 2019.
- Aegon generates an additional USD 1 billion in capital following the merger of its Arizona-based variable annuities captive with Transamerica Life Insurance Co.
