International Herald Tribune: Royal Dutch Shell's Dutch pension fund has fallen into deficit as share market turmoil knocked 40 percent off the fund's value, forcing the oil major and employees to increase contributions
December 12th, 2008:
Shell’s pension underfunded
Shell’s Dutch pension fund tumbles by 40pc
Plunging equity markets have seen the total assets of Royal Dutch Shell's Dutch Pension Fund fall below the level required by Holland's central bank, although the company's UK pension scheme remains fully funded.
Shell declines to say if other Shell pension funds in the UK or elsewhere are also in deficit
Shell's pension fund has commissioned a report to establish if its long-term strategy needs changing and will submit a recovery plan to the Dutch Central Bank, which is also the country's pension regulator, next year.
Leaked Shell internal email announces departure of senior Shell Executive, Greg Hill
I can assure you that this was an extremely difficult decision, and I want to also assure you that this has nothing to do with unhappiness with Shell or lack of confidence in the company, its direction, or leadership.
Shell Pension Fund scandal revealed on royaldutchshellplc.com makes global news
The drop in ratio is a result of the fund's focus on equities and the fund said it would now decrease its share investments and shift into government bonds to reduce risk, the letter, seen by Reuters, said. A full copy of the letter is published on activist website royaldutchshellplc.com.
Shell Pension Fund In Deficit After Equity Market Fall -Co
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Royal Dutch Shell PLC's (RDSB.LN) pension fund has fallen into deficit after the big drop in global equities markets caused by the financial crisis and economic downturn, a spokesman for the company said Friday.
Shell pension funding level drops below legal limit
The total value of the pension funds investments plummeted 40% since the start of this year. At the same time, lower interest rates resulted in a significant increase in the pension obligations.
Shell pension underfunded
Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:05pm GMT: LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell's Dutch pension fund has fallen into deficit as share market turmoil knocked 40 percent off the fund's value, forcing the oil major and employees to increase contributions.
Shell Niger Delta File Shows Legacy Of Broken Promises
LONDON (Dow Jones)--A Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB.LN) venture's internal review reveals a history of unfulfilled promises to communities in the Niger Delta, with 766 pledged development projects by the company either unfinished or never started.
Email to Richard Wiseman, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, Royal Dutch Shell Plc: Alarmed Shell Pensioner
Since you have kindly recently answered questions raised by me on other subjects, I feel sure you will want to deal with this matter which is of great concern to Shell pensioners. You might also wish to comment on the related posting by former Shell exec Mr Paddy Briggs.
Alarmed Shell Pensioner
And Mr. Donovan, you seem to have a direct line to Wiseman. Perhaps you could ask him to confirm or otherwise the rumour I have picked up a few weeks ago that Shell in this credit crisis has borrowed money from the Pensionfund or made the Pensionfund invest in some projects. If that is correct, I would like to see the opinion of Mr Wiseman on the ethics of this. No doubt it is within the law, but is it ethical?
Shell pension underfunded, contributions to rise
LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc said its Dutch pension fund had fallen into deficit as share market turmoil knocked 40 percent off the fund's value, forcing the oil major and employees to increase contributions.
Shell Dutch Pension Fund Underfunded: Triggers Notification to Dutch Regulator of Pension Funds
LETTER FROM SHELL NETHERLANDS TO SHELL DUTCH PENSIONERS…
11 Dec 2008
The financial crisis that started in the United States last year has gained considerable momentum during the last few months and has spread around the globe. Many financial institutions have run into trouble, leading to various rescue measures by national governments including nationalisation, but also bankruptcy. The value of listed equities and other asset classes has fallen dramatically worldwide. As a consequence, pension funds too have been impacted.
The financial position of the Dutch Shell Pension Fund
Shell Dutch Pension Fund Falls Below Legal Reserve Ratio
More pension funds in trouble
Friday 12 December 2008
Shells Dutch pension fund has fallen below the legal reserve ratio of 105% to 85%, the Telegraaf reports on Friday, quoting BNR radio. The claim is based on a letter to Shell employees, the radio station said.
A reserve ratio of 100% means the fund has sufficient assets to meet all its pension obligations.
The Shell pension fund regulation includes an agreement that if its reserves are below 105% for six months, the company must shore up its assets. Some staff also face higher premiums next year, the paper says.
Sakhalin II operator begins oil exports via new terminal
YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, December 12 (RIA Novosti) - Sakhalin Energy launched year-round oil export deliveries on Friday via a new oil terminal as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project off Russia's Pacific Coast, the company said in a statement.
Global oil demand to fall for the first time in 25 years
The Opec oil cartel may be forced to cut production by as much as 3m barrels a day as global oil demand is set to contract for the first time since 1983 this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.
US and Japan lead global cut in oil consumption
World oil demand is set to fall this year for the first time in 25 years as a broadening economic recession undermines energy consumption.