to protect the employees of the Employer affiliated with the BNP PARIBAS Group's pension fund in Switzerland, as well as their dependents and survivors, against the economic consequences of old age, disability and death, by supplementing the benefits they receive from the BNP PARIBAS Group's pension fund in Switzerland; The Foundation Board is competent to decide on the means to achieve the purpose defined in paragraph 1. It may use all or part of the Foundation's assets for this purpose. It may also conclude insurance contracts in favor of the insured and beneficiaries of pensions, or take over existing contracts in its own name. The Foundation will then be both the policyholder and the beneficiary. In no case may the Foundation assume obligations that are legally incumbent on the Employer (e.g. cost-of-living allowances, family allowances and child allowances, gratuities, etc.), outside of its pension obligations in favor of the staff, nor make payments that have the character of remuneration for work or a similar aspect, subject to the costs inherent in the administration of the Foundation. In agreement with the Founder, the Foundation Board may decide that companies with close financial or economic ties to the latter join the Foundation. These memberships must in no way reduce the claims of the Foundation's beneficiaries. The membership of a closely related company is done through an affiliation agreement.