The purpose of the foundation is to provide for the employees of the company and those of economically or financially closely related companies, as well as their dependents, against the economic consequences of old age, disability and death, and to support the beneficiaries or their dependents in cases of need such as illness, accident, disability, or unemployment. The affiliation of a related company is made on the basis of a written affiliation agreement, which must be notified to the supervisory authority. Neither gratuities, cost-of-living or similar salary payments nor any benefits to which the employer companies are legally or contractually obligated may be made from the foundation's assets and its income. The foundation may also provide benefits to other tax-exempt pension institutions established for the benefit of the beneficiaries to finance contributions and insurance premiums. In particular, regulatory employer contributions can also be financed within the framework of the aforementioned pension institutions. Contributions from the employer companies can only be made from the foundation's funds if contribution reserves have been established and separately disclosed in advance.