The foundation aims to provide occupational pension benefits within the framework of the BVG and its implementing provisions for the beneficiaries listed below against the economic consequences of old age, death and disability. The foundation may provide additional benefits beyond the statutory minimum benefits, including support in cases of need, such as illness, accident or unemployment. The beneficiaries are the employees of the company, their relatives and dependents, as well as persons for whom the employees have provided significant support at the time of their death or in the last years before their death. By decision of the foundation board, the staff of other companies that are financially or economically closely linked to the company may be affiliated with the foundation at any time, provided that the corresponding funds are made available to the foundation by these companies and the rights of the existing beneficiaries are not impaired. The corresponding affiliation agreements must be notified to the supervisory authority. Hereinafter, beneficiaries and employees refer to those of the company (according to paragraph 2) and those of affiliated companies (according to paragraph 3). The company and affiliated companies are hereinafter referred to as employers.