Alecta simplifies and speeds up payments

8/30/2001 5:16 AM EST

Alecta is now introducing a direct payment plan for remaining client
company funds. This solution is subject to the condition that the
company has negotiated and reached agreement with the trade union about
use of the funds. Companies choosing this alternative will have the
remaining amount paid out in cash over a maximum period of one year.

Alecta has decided to introduce new rules for payment of outstanding
client company funds. The remaining client company funds will be paid
directly, provided the company has negotiated and reached agreement with
a PTK affiliated trade union on use of the funds.

Companies and their salaried employees will now be able to freely
dispose of client company funds which were previously earmarked for
pension purposes.

Companies which choose this solution will be paid their remaining funds
in cash within a period of one year. If the remaining amount is less
than SEK 1.2 million, up to SEK 100,000 will be paid per month. If the
remaining amount exceeds SEK 1.2 million, one-twelfth of the total
amount will be paid out each month over a period of one year.

Companies can apply for direct payment from 1 January 2002. The first
payments may be made in March 2002.

" Direct payment is entirely in line with our focus on simpler solutions
for our client companies. At the same time, moving the decision about
how the funds should be used down to company level will give the
employees greater influence," says Alecta's president Lars Otterbeck.

If there is no local union organisation, the company must negotiate with
the PTK-affiliated employee organisation with which the company has a
collective agreement on ITP.

Facts about client company funds
In 1994-1998 a substantial surplus arose at Alecta (then SPP) due to
higher asset values, low inflation and good investment management. In
December 1998, SEK 12 billion was allocated as surplus funds to PTK and
the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise for pension improvements for
insured individuals and pensioners, and SEK 75 billion was allocated to
companies for pension purposes. The latter are known as client company
funds and were allocated by company in autumn 1999. At 30 June 2001,
remaining client company funds amounted to nearly SEK 37 billion.

For further information, please contact
Lars Otterbeck, President & CEO, +46 8 441 66 60
Cecilia Schön Jansson, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications,
+46 8 441 93 50,
Björn Nilsson, Senior Vice President, Collective Reserve, +46 8 441 61 10