Message from CEO

Without question, our most significant achievement in 2009 was our ability to safeguard the trust of AEGON's many customers around the world during the period of unprecedented turmoil and uncertainty in world financial markets. 

Our business is, by nature, long-term and is only sustainable if we maintain the confidence and trust of our customers, business partners, shareholders and employees. The financial crisis exposed serious and extensive weaknesses in the systems and functions of major financial institutions.  Consequently, there is now even greater focus on essential  issues such as transparency of products, effective risk management and corporate governance. We welcome this focus and the opportunity to detail the steps we have taken during the past year to strengthen AEGON's position, reduce market risk, lower costs and invest in our businesses to ensure that they are responsive to customer needs and market developments.

AEGON recognizes that profit alone cannot be the measure of a company's success.  How we manage our business and resources and put them to work for the benefit of our many stakeholders is of critical importance for AEGON's long-term sustainability.  We are working in a number of areas across our businesses to further improve AEGON's proposition to our stakeholders and the communities in which we operate and serve. A few examples:  Our global Green Team is examining ways to reduce the impact of AEGON's operations on the environment. In asset management, we are developing a company-wide policy to ensure that AEGON's investments are not only financially beneficial but responsive to broader concerns. Furthermore, our businesses are working to simplify the products and services our customers rely on to plan effectively for their long-term financial security.  In 2010, we will bring forward a new remuneration policy for members of the Executive Board that links pay not only to financial performance but also, for the first time, to sustainability criteria.

AEGON remains committed to its broader responsibilities as a company operating in an increasingly inter-connected global arena.  Even as we pursue our strategy to achieve long-term profitable growth, we are equally determined to develop our businesses and manage their impact in a way that sustains the stakeholder confidence which is critical to our success.  We invite and welcome your input as we pursue our ambition of being a global leader in helping customers secure their financial futures.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in AEGON.

Sincerely,

Alex Wynaendts,

CEO