Legal advisor in the department Supervision of pensions

Would you like to contribute as a legal advisor to better consumer protection and help to increase public confidence in the financial sector?

Then come and join our team at the FSMA!

And become a legal advisor in the department ‘Supervision of pensions: institutions for occupational retirement provision and social supervision’.

WHERE WILL YOU BE WORKING?

You will be employed as a legal advisor in the department that exercises a twofold supervision in the domain of pensions. On the one hand, the department is entrusted with the social supervision of second pillar pensions. This pillar concerns supplementary pensions built up in the context of an occupational activity, regardless of whether they are managed by an insurance company or by an institution for occupational retirement provision (IORP) (the so-called pension funds). On the other hand, the department is responsible for the prudential supervision of IORPs. As a legal advisor, you can be involved in both parts of the supervision.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL?

• In exercising social supervision, you will be largely concerned with the supervision of the social pension legislation (including the Law on Supplementary Pensions and the Law on Supplementary Pensions for the Self-Employed). This legislation establishes the framework for pension plans and essentially governs the rights and obligations of the various parties concerned (organizers, members and pension institutions). You will be involved primarily in structured social supervision. Furthermore, you will handle all kinds of questions requesting clarification or interpretation of the legislation, as well as complaints from pension consumers.
• For prudential supervision, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team. Your specific task will be to assess the IORPs’ governance. You will examine whether the institution complies with the legal requirements regarding e.g. legal form, articles of association, the organization of key functions, etc. Furthermore, you will examine whether the institution's organization is appropriate to meet the requirements of good and transparent governance.
• Finally, as a legal advisor, you will have important input into the preparation of supervisory policy and the harmonization of laws and regulations with the legal developments at international and European level.

WHAT KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS DO YOU BRING?

• A Master’s degree in law. A specialization in pension law or insurance law is an asset.
• Good knowledge of all aspects of supplementary pensions and life insurance or willingness to become thoroughly acquainted with these matters, namely:
  • legislation on supplementary pensions for employees (Law on Supplementary Pensions and Law on Supplementary Pensions for Employees) and for self-employed persons (Law on Supplementary Pensions for the Self-Employed, Law on Supplementary Pensions for Self-Employed Natural Persons and Law on Supplementary Pensions for Self-employed Directors);
  • legislation on institutions for occupational retirement provision;
  • legislation on life insurance.
• Knowledge of and/or interest in labour or social law is an asset.
• Ability to address legal issues effectively, with accuracy and nuance, applying a reliable method of analysis.
• Being sufficiently open to address issues related to the aforementioned matters in a European context and/or in the context of foreign law.
• Solid competence in Dutch and French and good command of English.
• An analytical mindset and ability to combine this with an excellent capacity for synthesis. Your strengths are accuracy and professionalism.
• Skill in logical structuring of verbal and written communication.
• Both a team player and able to work independently.
• Constantly seeking improvement.
• Good knowledge of the commonly used Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).

WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU?