The Foundation's purpose is to protect, within the framework of the LPP and its implementing provisions, the employer's personnel as well as their dependents and survivors against the economic consequences of old age, disability and death, by providing benefits fixed by regulatory means. It may extend the provision beyond the minimum legal benefits. The Foundation Board is competent to decide on the means necessary to achieve the purpose defined in the above paragraph. 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. Under no circumstances 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 provident obligations in favor of the personnel, 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 company closely linked to the company is done through an affiliation agreement.