Introduction
Dear shareholder,
On June 30, 2023, we announced our
intention to change our legal domicile from the Netherlands to Bermuda. Subsequently, Aegons group supervision will transfer to the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the current regulator of Aegons three insurance and reinsurance entities
incorporated in Bermuda under the Transamerica name. Following the combination of our Dutch insurance business with a.s.r. on July 4, 2023, we no longer have a regulated insurance business in the Netherlands. Under Solvency II rules,
Aegons current de facto group supervisor, the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), can therefore no longer remain Aegons group supervisor. After consulting the members of the college of supervisors, the BMA has informed Aegon that the BMA
will become its group supervisor if Aegon were to transfer its legal seat to Bermuda. The Solvency II Regime will continue to apply to our insurance businesses located in the European Union. Aegons regulated insurance entities in the US, UK,
Spain, Portugal and in other jurisdictions will continue to be supervised by their current local regulators.
The change of legal domicile to Bermuda
allows us to maintain our headquarters in the Netherlands and to remain a Dutch tax resident. Bermuda has a well-developed system of corporate law, enabling application of international governance standards going forward, and is a well-known
location for insurance companies, including three of Aegons current subsidiaries. In addition, Bermudas regulatory regime is well recognized, having been granted equivalent status by the EU under the Solvency II regime, and by the UK
under its own solvency regime. It is also considered to be a qualified jurisdiction and reciprocal jurisdiction by the US National Association of Insurance Commissioners (subject to certain limitations and exceptions). While DNB ceased to be our
default group supervisor following the combination of the Dutch insurance business with a.s.r. on the basis of the Solvency II regime, DNB has agreed to temporarily stay on as de facto group supervisor on the basis of a delegation agreement
with the Spanish supervisory authority, the Direccíon General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones, to ensure a smooth transfer of group supervision. In the interim phase, the presence of a continued and constant delegated group supervisor
therefore is ensured.
In the past two and a half years, we have worked hard to execute the strategy as communicated to you at our capital markets day in
December 2020. We have been able to deliver on many of our strategic intentions, such as sharpening our strategic focus and improving Aegons strategic and financial profile through enhanced operational performance and strengthening of our
capital position. The completion of the transaction with a.s.r. on July 4, 2023, formed a leader in the Dutch insurance market and enables Aegon to increase its focus on creating advantaged businesses in chosen markets outside the Netherlands.
We believe the proposed redomiciliation will help us succeed in furthering our strategic intentions going forward as presented at our capital markets day on June 22, 2023. Upon completion of the redomiciliation to Bermuda, Aegons
headquarters will remain in the Netherlands, Aegon will remain a Dutch tax resident and Aegons shares will remain listed on Euronext Amsterdam and NYSE. Aegon will continue to report under the IFRS accounting standards. Aegon is exploring the
implementation of US GAAP in the medium term, in addition to IFRS, so as to allow for better comparison against US peers and provide long-term strategic flexibility for the Aegon Group.
We ask the Aegon general meeting of shareholders for approval of the proposed redomiciliation. The purpose of this Shareholder Circular is to ensure that
Aegons shareholders are adequately informed of the facts and circumstances relevant to vote on the approval of the proposed redomiciliation.
As
further explained in this Shareholder Circular, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of Aegon have concluded that the proposed redomiciliation is in the interest of Aegon and its stakeholders, and unanimously recommend voting in favor of
the proposed redomiciliation. We encourage you to read the information in this Shareholder Circular carefully. We hope that you will follow the recommendation of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board and vote in favor of the proposed
redomiciliation.
We greatly value your support as shareholder and look forward to the Extraordinary General Meeting on September 29, 2023.
Lard Friese
CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board
William Connelly
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
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