The foundation's purpose is to protect the employees of the founding company and those of economically or financially closely related companies, as well as their dependents and beneficiaries, against the economic consequences of the loss of earned income due to old age, death, illness, or disability. In addition to the regulated pension benefits, it can provide further voluntary pension benefits. The affiliation of a related company is based on a written affiliation agreement, which must be notified to the supervisory authority. The foundation's benefits are governed by one or more regulations issued by the foundation board, which must be submitted to the supervisory authority. The regulations can be amended by the foundation board while preserving the acquired rights of the beneficiaries. The regulations and their amendments must be submitted to the supervisory authority. The foundation can provide additional pension benefits beyond the statutory minimum benefits.