AEGON - 20-F annual report

Introduction

Filing

This document contains Aegon’s Annual Report 2012 and will also be filed as Aegon’s Annual Report on Form 20-F with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

About this report

This report serves as Aegon’s Annual Report prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS), and with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code for the year ended December 31, 2012, for Aegon N.V. (the company) and its subsidiaries (collectively known as Aegon). This report presents the Consolidated Financial Statements of Aegon (pages 132-286) and the Parent Company Financial Statements of Aegon (pages 290-304). Cross references to Form 20-F are set out on pages I-II of this report.

Presentation of certain information

Aegon N.V. is referred to in this document as “Aegon,” or “the company.” Aegon N.V. together with its member companies are referred to as the “Aegon Group.” For such purposes, “member companies” means, in relation to Aegon N.V., those companies that are required to be consolidated in accordance with legislative requirements of the Netherlands relating to consolidated accounts.

References to the “NYSE” are to the New York Stock Exchange and references to the “SEC” are to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aegon uses “EUR” and “euro” when referring to the lawful currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union; “USD,” and “US dollar” when referring to the lawful currency of the United States of America; “GBP”, “UK pound” and “pound sterling” when referring to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom; “CAD” and “Canadian dollar” when referring to the lawful currency of Canada; “PLN” when referring to the lawful currency of Poland; “CNY” when referring to the lawful currency of the People’s Republic of China; “RON” when referring to the lawful currency of Romania; “HUF” when referring to the lawful currency of Hungary; “TRY” when referring to the lawful currency of Turkey and “CZK” when referring to the lawful currency of Czech Republic.

Aegon prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS) and with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code for purposes of reporting with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’), including financial information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Aegon’s accounting policies and its use of various options under IFRS are described in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

Other than for SEC reporting, Aegon prepares its Annual Accounts under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, including the decisions Aegon made with regard to the options available under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS-EU). IFRS-EU differs from IFRS in respect of certain paragraphs in IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ regarding hedge accounting for portfolio hedges of interest rate risk. Under IFRS-EU, Aegon applies fair value hedge accounting for portfolio hedges of interest rate risk (fair value macro hedges) in accordance with the EU ‘carve out’ version of IAS 39. Under IFRS, hedge accounting for fair value macro hedges cannot be applied to mortgage loans and ineffectiveness arises whenever the revised estimate of the amount of cash flows in scheduled time buckets is either more or less than the original designated amount of that bucket.

This information is prepared by reversing the hedge accounting impacts that are applied under the EU ‘carve out’ version of IAS 39. Financial information under IFRS accordingly does not take account of the possibility that had Aegon applied IFRS as its primary accounting framework it might have applied alternative hedge strategies where those alternative hedge strategies could have qualified for IFRS compliant hedge accounting. These decisions could have resulted in different shareholders’ equity and net income amounts compared to those indicated in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

A reconciliation between IFRS-EU and IFRS is included in note 2.1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Faced with lingering uncertainty over the current economic environment, individuals and families seek broader options in managing their finances and planning for retirement - not only with regard to the solutions available, but in how they access them. At the same time, both our current and future customers increasingly demand new ways of interacting with us, and with the ease that online technology makes possible in their many other commercial and social interactions. They also bring greater scrutiny to the products and services we provide - and are readily aware of alternatives available elsewhere. They expect higher levels of service, clearer communications and the assurance that the products we provide them actually address the specific needs they have identified. We believe these circumstances present a tremendous opportunity for Aegon, but they require that we change the way we think about and manage our business.

It is for these reasons that we have embarked on a journey to get much closer to the people who depend on us. During the past year, our management has taken a number of decisive steps to realign our businesses and improve our interactions with customers. These include working to re-establish and strengthen their trust; working to leverage the potential of digital technology to provide greater customer access, better service and a distinctive, positive experience, and at the same time, working to create greater simplicity and transparency in our products and services. Clear examples of how our customer-centric approach is being integrated in all parts of our businesses include involving actual customers in rewriting marketing brochures and correspondence so that they are easily understood by all customers, simplifying back-office systems, introducing new products and online distribution channels and using social media to strengthen customer relationships and Aegon’s brand identity. We have also engaged Aegon employees through in-depth discussions about the basis of our strategy to ensure broad understanding and a clear view for how each and every person can contribute to our ambitions. We recognize the essential role our employees play in creating the level of customer loyalty that will distinguish Aegon as a leader in each of our markets. Consequently, we are committed to providing the training and tools necessary for personal and professional development, as well as fostering a culture of innovation whereby new ideas and approaches have the opportunity to be heard and implemented.

Aegon is today a company transformed by the actions we have taken to realign our entire organization to a very simple objective: putting the customer first in everything we do, as well as how we do it. In the Americas, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands we have been working to streamline our operations in order to improve our ability to respond to market opportunities. In these established markets, we are committed to further leveraging our strong capabilities to address the needs of the “at-retirement” population, those looking to retire in a few short years and needing to make provisions for a steady income during retirement. Given the continued shift in responsibilities of retirement security from governments and employers to individuals - and with people living longer than at any other time in history - we are determined to fully exploit our expertise in providing the long-term financial guarantees which create the possibility for a retirement with confidence and dignity.

Within our newer markets in Asia, Central & Eastern Europe and Latin America, we are making steady progress in building sustainable businesses, as well as strengthening and developing new approaches in digital distribution. In these markets the potential for protection and savings products is significant, and we intend to serve a larger share of the developing need.

Ensuring that our ability to keep the promises we make to our customers is never in doubt, we have substantially improved Aegon’s risk profile, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and capital position - advantages that have served us well in the continuing economic turmoil. With interest rates at historic lows, we have repriced certain products, lowered guarantees of others, and ceased selling those that no longer offer value for our customers or reflect our risk-return discipline. We have likewise maintained a sharp focus on reducing our costs, recognizing that in this new environment we must now compete with non-traditional providers who increasingly sell financial products online or through retail outlets, and typically with a much lower cost base. Moreover, reducing costs is essential to our ability not only to improve the returns generated by our businesses, but on the capital our shareholders continue to provide.

During the course of 2012, we have further strengthened our broader commitments to society and defined additional criteria for measuring our performance, beyond financial metrics.

Last year, we joined other leading insurance companies in signing the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance. These four principles aim to incorporate sustainability measurers into the day-to-day management of business operations and we have established clear targets reflecting our commitment to them. In addition, we have developed a new Responsible Investment Policy to ensure that as a substantial investor we also take environmental, economic, social and governance factors into account - in addition to financial performance - when making decisions to invest in other companies.

Our ambition has not changed - it is to be a leader in all our chosen markets. This does not necessarily mean being the largest provider, though sufficient scale is necessary to offer products at competitive prices and also attract the most talented employees. Ultimately, we define leadership as being the most recommended by customers, by business partners and our intermediaries - and, equally important - being the most preferred employer in our sector.

On behalf of our management team, I wish to thank our talented and dedicated colleagues around the world who each day commit themselves to delivering on our promises, improving our operations and making a positive difference in the communities in which they

work and live. They have been responsible for changing Aegon for the better during these past several years and continue to be our greatest advantage in competing successfully in the new environment which is redefining our business.

We are likewise grateful for the continued confidence of our many other stakeholders and pledge our determined efforts to further justify that confidence, while creating the long-term value that they, and all who entrust us with their financial security needs, have every reason to expect.

Alex Wynaendts

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

of the Executive Board of Aegon N.V.

Alexander R. Wynaendts (1960, Dutch)

Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Executive Board

Chairman of the Management Board

Alex Wynaendts began his career in 1984 with ABN AMRO Bank, working in Amsterdam and London in the Dutch bank’s capital markets, asset management, corporate finance and private banking operations. In 1997, Mr. Wynaendts joined Aegon as Senior Vice President for Group Business Development. Since 2003, he has been a member of Aegon’s Executive Board, overseeing the company’s international growth strategy. In April 2007, Mr. Wynaendts was named Aegon’s Chief Operating Officer. A year later, he became CEO and Chairman of Aegon’s Executive and Management Boards.

Jan J. Nooitgedagt (1953, Dutch)

Chief Financial Officer

Member of the Executive Board

Member of the Management Board

Jan Nooitgedagt has worked in Europe’s financial services sector for over 30 years. Formerly with PWC, he joined Ernst & Young in 1980, becoming a partner in the firm in 1989. Mr. Nooitgedagt headed Ernst & Young’s financial services business in the Netherlands for five years until his appointment in 2005 to the firm’s Executive Committee. A year later, Mr. Nooitgedagt was appointed Chairman of Ernst & Young in the Netherlands and became Managing Partner for the Netherlands and Belgium in July 2008. He was appointed member of Aegon’s Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer in April 2009. Mr. Nooitgedagt will retire at the end of his current term (May 2013), in line with Aegon’s retirement arrangements for Executive Board members. Mr. Nooitgedagt is a member of the Supervisory Board of Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten N.V. (not listed) and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Nyenrode Foundation (not listed).

Adrian Grace (1963, British)

Member of the Management Board

Chief Executive Officer of Aegon UK

Adrian Grace built his career at GE Capital, where he held a variety of business development roles including periods based in the US and Far East. Mr. Grace also held managing director roles at Sage Group, HBoS and Barclays Insurance, and is a member of the Board of Scottish Financial Enterprise and the Association of British Insurers. Mr. Grace was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Aegon UK in February 2010, and then CEO in March 2011. He was appointed to Aegon’s Management Board in 2012.

Tom Grondin (1969, Canadian)

Member of the Management Board

Chief Risk Officer of Aegon N.V.

Tom Grondin began his career working in various positions in Canadian insurance companies. In 1997 he moved to the United States to take up a position at Tillinghast-Towers Perrin as a consultant. Mr. Grondin joined Aegon in 2000 as Director of Product Development and Risk Management and was later promoted to Chief Actuary of Aegon USA’s Institutional Markets operating unit. Mr. Grondin was appointed Chief Risk Officer of Aegon N.V. in August 2003 and a member of Aegon’s Management Board on January 1, 2013.

Marco B.A. Keim (1962, Dutch)

Member of the Management Board

Chief Executive Officer of Aegon the Netherlands

Marco Keim began his career with accountants Coopers & Lybrand/Van Dien. Mr. Keim has also worked for aircraft manufacturer Fokker Aircraft and NS Reizigers, part of the Dutch railway company, NS Group. In 1999, he joined Swiss Life in the Netherlands as a member of the Board. Three years later, Mr. Keim was appointed CEO. In June 2008, he became CEO of Aegon the Netherlands and a member of Aegon’s Management Board.

Gábor Kepecs (1954, Hungarian)

Member of the Management Board

Chief Executive Officer of Aegon Central & Eastern Europe

Gábor Kepecs began his career with the Hungarian government before joining former state-owned insurance company Állami Biztosító. In 1990, he was appointed CEO, two years before Állami Biztosító was privatized and acquired by Aegon. Between 1992 and 2009, Mr. Kepecs was the CEO of Aegon Hungary. In that time, he has headed the expansion of Aegon’s businesses not only in Hungary but also across the Central & Eastern European region. Mr. Kepecs has been a member of Aegon’s Management Board since it was established in 2007.

Mark Mullin (1963, American)

Member of the Management Board

Chief Executive Officer of Aegon Americas

Mark Mullin has spent more than 20 years with Aegon in various management positions in both the United States and Europe. Mr. Mullin has served as President and CEO of one of Aegon’s US subsidiaries, Diversified, and as head of the company’s annuity and mutual fund businesses. In January 2009, he was named President of Aegon Americas and he became President and CEO of Aegon Americas and a member of the Management Board one year later.

Aegon’s ambition is to become a leader in all its chosen markets by 2015. This means becoming the most recommended life and pensions provider among customers, the preferred partner among distributors, and the employer of choice for both current and prospective employees. Aegon is focused on reshaping its business, forging new direct relationships and earning customers’ trust.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, Aegon has undergone a significant financial transformation, including rationalizing its portfolio (for example divestment of its reinsurance business in the United States and Guardian in the United Kingdom), major cost restructurings in its main markets and running-off or de-emphasizing several of its US-based businesses, due to the historically low interest rate environment. In 2011, Aegon completed full repayment of the capital support provided by the Dutch government at the beginning of the financial crisis.

These actions have enabled Aegon to achieve a solid financial position and deal effectively with the persistent market uncertainty, while reshaping its businesses to better serve the developing and varied needs of its customers seeking long-term financial security. During 2012, Aegon continued its divestment of non-core businesses, while capturing new business opportunities and further strengthening business prospects in its main markets. This includes increasing earnings generated from fee-based business (versus earnings derived from spread business dependent on interest rate spreads) as one of the key elements of the company’s strategy to reduce its exposure to financial markets.

Market conditions

The global economy weakened over the course of 2012. The United States continued its moderate recovery, however, the eurozone dropped back into recession.

The US growth rate of approximately 2% compares favorably to Western Europe. However, it is seen as too weak to significantly improve labor market conditions. To support economic growth the Federal Reserve in September 2012 announced its third quantitative easing program. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve stated its intention to keep the Federal funds rate near zero until at least mid-2015. Toward the end of 2012, further economic uncertainty arose over the legislative budget impasse in the United States and the prospect of the “fiscal cliff.” This refers to automatic austerity measures of roughly 5% of the Gross

Domestic Product being enacted in the event that Congress and the Administration are unable to reach agreement on measurers to address the sizeable budget deficit. A positive development in 2012 was the early improvement experienced in the US housing market.

In Europe, economic growth deteriorated due to the eurocrisis and the severe austerity measures being implemented. Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain all experienced deep recessions, but other countries were also negatively affected. The German economy grew by approximately 1%, France experienced stagnant growth, while the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the southern peripheral economies were in a state of recession. Growth also slowed in Central & Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America. The emerging markets were adversely impacted by a combination of effects from the advanced economies and unfavorable domestic developments.

At the start of 2012, spreads on peripheral bonds decreased due to large liquidity operations by the European Central Bank (ECB). The positive sentiment proved to be short-lived. Toward the summer, the eurocrisis deepened as financial market pressures intensified, especially with respect to Spain, and to a lesser extent to Italy. The deepening of the crisis necessitated additional policy measures at national and European level. National authorities expanded their austerity programs. The European Council started negotiations on the banking union and agreed on broadening of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) mandate. Mario Draghi, the president of the ECB, pledged to do “whatever it takes” to save the euro and the ECB announced the possibility to undertake so-called Outright Monetary Transactions (OMTs), through which it can purchase government securities of countries requesting assistance from the European Financial Stability Facility /ESM. The eurozone members progressed toward a solution for troubled Greece. The combination of measures resulted in a significant easing of market pressures.

The “safe haven” German 10-year interest rates dropped to below 1.2% at the height of the eurozone crisis. With the easing of market pressures, interest rates increased somewhat, but remain at very low levels. At the short end of the yield curve, German interest rates remained close to, or below, zero.

The deepening of the eurocrisis resulted in a weakening of the euro against the US dollar, which was reversed with the easing

of the crisis. The euro ended the year at approximately the same level against the US dollar as at the beginning of 2012.

Despite the difficult economic environment and a drop over the second quarter of 2012, the main equity markets ended the year higher than at the beginning of the year.

The easing of financial market conditions is a welcome development. However, the continuing fragile economic environment, the large degree of uncertainty and, especially the low interest rate environment, remain challenges going forward. It would be helpful if, in 2013, further progress is made in resolving the broad range of macroeconomic difficulties and the outlook for economic growth improves.

Long-term industry trends

The life insurance and pensions industry is still going through a period of significant change, with increasing and changing customer demands and the resulting impact of new digital technologies. Moreover, the industry will continue to face further regulatory reforms and changing capital requirements under Solvency II.

These conditions notwithstanding, there are several factors creating significant growth potential for Aegon’s businesses:

Aegon’s strategy

Aegon’s purpose is to help people take responsibility for their financial future. The company focuses on offering understandable products and services in the protection, savings and retirement market. Aegon has successfully transformed its risk profile, strengthened its capital base and simultaneously reduced its overall cost base. As a result, Aegon is now well-positioned to meet the rapidly changing demands of aging populations and an increasingly affluent developing world.

Aegon’s services have never been more needed, yet it is still adapting to the new reality. The company is actively identifying new and growing market opportunities, as well as working to better understand the essential financial needs of all its customers, while adjusting products and services accordingly. Simultaneously, it is transforming itself further to compete in the new environment and respond effectively to new competitors and regulation.

Aegon has to get much closer to the people who depend on its products and services. A key element of Aegon’s strategy is to get closer to its customers by utilizing technology and investing in innovative capabilities to address customer needs at every stage of the life cycle. Bringing established protection and saving products to new and emerging markets in Central & Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as continuing to develop Aegon’s products to meet changing customer needs remains to be one of the company’s most immediate and important goals.

Aegon is pursuing these objectives by:

Aegon’s ambition is to become a leader in all its chosen markets by 2015.

In order to achieve its ambition, Aegon has defined four strategic areas of focus which it regards as essential to positioning its businesses for the future. During 2012, the company continued to make clear progress within each of these key strategic objectives:

Optimize portfolio - Focus on those businesses that reflect Aegon’s core expertise and which adhere to Aegon’s risk and return requirements.

Enhance customer loyalty - Establish a long-term relationship with customers to serve their diverse needs throughout the life cycle; providing simpler, transparent products and services.

Deliver operational excellence - Fully leverage Aegon’s significant expertise and resources across the organization; investing in technology to drive innovation and further enable cost and operational efficiencies.

Empower employees - Provide the environment and resources necessary for employees to realize their full potential, while fostering a customer-centric culture that embraces new thinking and new approaches for responding to opportunities and customer demand.

Aegon N.V., through its member companies that are collectively referred to as Aegon or the Aegon Group, is an international life insurance, pensions and asset management company. Aegon is headquartered in the Netherlands and employs, through its subsidiaries, approximately 24,000 people worldwide. Aegon’s common shares are listed on stock exchanges in Amsterdam (NYSE Euronext) and New York (NYSE).

Aegon N.V. is a holding company. Aegon’s businesses focus on life insurance, pensions and asset management. Aegon is also active in accident, supplemental health, general insurance, and has some limited banking activities. The company’s operations are conducted through its operating subsidiaries.

The main operating units of Aegon are separate legal entities organized under the laws of their respective countries. The shares of those legal entities are directly or indirectly held by three intermediate holding companies incorporated under Dutch law: Aegon Europe Holding B.V., the holding company for all European activities, Aegon International B.V., which serves as a holding company for the Group companies of all non-European countries and Aegon Asset Management B.V., the holding company for some of its asset management entities.

Aegon operates in more than 20 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving millions of customers. Its main markets are the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The company encourages product innovation and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit within its businesses. New products and services are developed by local business units with a continuous focus on helping people take responsibility for their financial future. Aegon uses a multi-brand, multichannel distribution approach to meet its customers’ needs.

Aegon has the following reportable operating segments: the Americas (which include the United States, Canada, Brazil and Mexico), the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and New Markets, which includes a number of countries in CEE and Asia, Spain, France, Aegon Asset Management, and Variable Annuities Europe.

Application of the accounting policies in the preparation of the financial statements requires management to apply judgment involving assumptions and estimates concerning future results or other developments, including the likelihood, timing or amount of future transactions or events. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those estimates. Accounting policies that are critical to the presentation of

the financial statements and that require complex estimates or significant judgment are described in the notes to the financial statements.

A summary of historical financial data is found in the table below. It is important to read this summary in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Dividends

Aegon declared interim and final dividends on common shares for the years 2008 through 2011 in the amounts set forth in the following table. The 2012 interim dividend amounted to EUR 0.10 per common share. The interim dividend was paid in cash or stock at the election of the shareholder. The interim dividend was payable as of September 14, 2012. At the General Meeting of Shareholders on May 15, 2013, the Supervisory Board will, absent unforeseen circumstances, propose a final dividend of

EUR 0.11 per common share (at each shareholders option in cash or in stock), which will bring the total dividend for 2012 to EUR 0.21. Dividends in US dollars are calculated based on the foreign exchange reference rate as published each working day at 14:15 hours by the European Central Bank on the business day following the announcement of the interim dividend or on the business day following the General Meeting of Shareholders approving the relevant final dividend.

The annual dividend on Aegon’s class A and class B preferred shares is calculated on the basis of the paid-in capital on the preferred shares using a rate equal to the European Central Bank’s fixed interest percentage for basic refinancing transactions plus 1.75%, as determined on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam’s first working day of the financial year to which the dividend relates. Apart from this, no other dividend is paid on the preferred shares. This resulted in a rate of 2.75% for the year 2011. Applying this rate to the weighted average paid-in capital of its preferred shares during 2011, the total amount of annual dividends Aegon made in 2012 on its preferred shares for the year 2011 was EUR 59 million. The rate for annual dividends, if any, on preferred shares to be made in 2013 for the year 2012, as determined on January 1, 2012, is 2.75% and the annual dividends, if any, on preferred shares for the year 2012, based on the weighted average paid-in capital on the preferred shares during 2012 will be EUR 59 million.

Exchange rates

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar will affect the dollar equivalent of the euro price of Aegon’s common shares traded on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam and, as a result, are likely to impact the market price of Aegon’s common shares in the United States. Such fluctuations will also affect any US dollar amounts received by holders of common shares upon conversion of any cash dividends paid in euros on Aegon’s common shares.

As of March 1, 2013, the USD exchange rate was EUR 1 = USD 1.2988.

The high and low exchange rates for the US dollar per euro for each of the last six months through February 2013 are set forth below:

The average exchange rates for the US dollar per euro for the five years ended December 31, 2012, calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period, are set forth below:

Americas

Includes Aegon’s businesses and operating units in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

¿  Life & Protection

Products with mortality, morbidity and longevity risks, including traditional and universal life, as well as endowment, term and whole life insurance products. Accident and health business, including accidental death and dismemberment insurance, critical illness, cancer treatment, disability, income protection and long-term care insurance.

¿  Individual Savings & Retirement

Primarily fixed and variable annuity products and retail mutual funds.

¿  Employer Solutions & Pensions

Includes both individual and group pensions, as well as 401(k) plans and similar products usually sponsored by, or obtained via, an employer.

The Netherlands

¿  Life & Savings

Products with mortality, morbidity, and longevity risks, including traditional and universal life, as well as employer, endowment, term, whole life insurance products, mortgages, saving deposits and annuity products.

¿  Pensions

Individual and group pensions usually sponsored by, or obtained via, an employer.

¿  Non-life

General insurance, consisting mainly of automotive, liability, disability, household insurance and fire protection.

¿  Distribution

Aegon’s Unirobe Meeùs distribution business.

United Kingdom

¿  Life

Immediate annuities, individual protection products, such as term insurance, critical illness and income protection.

¿  Pensions

Individual pensions, including self invested personal pensions and income drawdown products. Group pensions, sponsored by, or obtained via, an employer.

¿  Distribution

Relates to Aegon’s financial advice businesses, Origen and Positive Solutions.

New Markets

Includes all businesses and operating units in Central & Eastern Europe, Asia, Spain and France as well as Aegon’s variable annuity activities in Europe and Aegon Asset Management.

¿  Central & Eastern Europe

Active in six countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey. Includes life insurance, individual and group pension products, savings and investments, as well as general insurance. At the end of 2012, Aegon entered into an agreement to acquire a life insurance company in Ukraine.

¿  Spain

Distribution partnerships with Spanish banks, offering life insurance, accident and health insurance and investment products.

¿  France

Partnership with French insurer and pension specialist AG2R La Mondiale.

¿  Asia

Direct and affinity products are marketed in Asia through Aegon Direct & Affinity Marketing Services. Aegon offers life insurance to high-net-worth individuals via the Transamerica brand Transamerica Life Bermuda. There are joint ventures in China, India and Japan. Products include (term) life insurance in China and India and variable annuities in Japan.

¿  Variable Annuities Europe

Variable annuities offered by Aegon companies operating in Europe and international/offshore bonds for the UK market.

¿  Aegon Asset Management

Asset management products, including both equity and fixed income, covering third party clients and Aegon’s own insurance companies.

This Annual Report includes the non-IFRS financial measure: underlying earnings before tax. The reconciliation of this measure to the most comparable IFRS measure is presented in the table above as well as in note 5 of the consolidated financial statements. This non-IFRS measure is calculated by consolidating on a proportionate basis the revenues and expenses of Aegon’s associated companies in Spain, India, Brazil and Mexico. Aegon believes that its non-IFRS measure provides meaningful information about the underlying operating results of Aegon’s businesses including insight into the financial measures that senior management uses in managing the businesses.

The table also includes the non-IFRS financial measure: net underlying earnings. This is the after-tax equivalent of underlying earnings. The reconciliation of net underlying earnings to the most comparable IFRS measure is presented in the table above.

Aegon’s senior management is compensated based in part on Aegon’s results against targets using the non-IFRS measure presented herein. While many other insurers in Aegon’s peer group present substantially similar non-IFRS measures, the non-IFRS measure presented in this document may nevertheless differ from the non-IFRS measures presented by other insurers.

There is no standardized meaning to these measures under IFRS or any other recognized set of accounting standards and readers are cautioned to consider carefully the different ways in which Aegon and its peers present similar information before comparing them. Aegon believes the non-IFRS measure shown herein, when read together with Aegon’s reported IFRS financial statements, provides meaningful supplemental information for the investing public to evaluate Aegon’s businesses after eliminating the impact of current IFRS accounting policies for financial instruments and insurance contracts, which embed a number of accounting policy alternatives that companies may select in presenting their results (that is companies can use different local GAAPs) and that can make the comparability from period to period difficult.

As of the first quarter of 2012, Aegon has revised its financial reporting to reflect changes in its organization. Businesses in Asia, which were previously managed by Aegon Americas, are included in the Asia line of business within the “New Markets” segment. For the full year 2011, the underlying earnings before tax generated by the Asian operations totaling EUR 37 million were previously reported under the “Americas” segment.

Net income

Net income increased to EUR 1,532 million driven by higher underlying earnings, more favorable results on fair value items, lower impairments and lower other charges. These were only partly offset by higher tax charges and lower realized gains.

Underlying earnings before tax

Aegon’s underlying earnings before tax increased 17% to EUR 1,787 million in 2012. This is the result of business growth, implemented cost reduction programs, the non-recurrence of certain charges in the United Kingdom, and favorable equity markets and currency movements.

Underlying earnings before tax from the Americas rose to EUR 1,317 million. The 3% increase compared to 2011 is mainly due to growth of the business and a strengthening of the US dollar against the euro. The positive effect of business growth and favorable equity markets was partly offset by lower fixed annuity earnings (as the product is de-emphasized) and lower Life & Protection earnings mostly the result of the non-recurrence of favorable items in 2011, recurring charges for Corporate Center expenses implemented in 2012, higher performance-related expenses and an increase in employee benefit expenses.

In the Netherlands, underlying earnings before tax increased to EUR 315 million. The 6% increase compared to 2011 was mainly due to cost savings, lower funding costs, and the wind up of several contracts in Pensions, partly offset by a higher claim ratio and investments in banking activities. Higher earnings in Life & Savings driven by lower funding costs on its growing mortgage portfolio more than offset lower earnings in Pensions and Non-life mostly driven by unfavorable claim experience.

In the United Kingdom, underlying earnings before tax increased to EUR 105 million. This improvement in earnings compared to 2011 was driven by the implementation of the cost reduction program and the non-recurrence of charges and execution expenses related to a program to correct historical issues within

customer policy records, partly offset by the benefit of changes to employee benefit plans recorded in 2011. Earnings were negatively impacted in 2012 by additional DAC amortization related to adverse persistency and investments in new propositions in the pension business.

Underlying earnings before tax from New Markets increased 10% to EUR 274 million as higher earnings from Aegon Asset Management and Asia more than offset lower underlying earnings from Spain and Central & Eastern Europe. Results in Spain were impacted by the divestment of the joint venture with Banca Cívica and the exclusion of results from Aegon’s partnership with CAM pending the exit from this joint venture.

For the holding, underlying earnings before tax amounted to a loss before tax of EUR 224 million. This EUR 79 million improvement compared to 2011 was driven mostly by lower expenses as Aegon’s Corporate Center expenses are now being charged, in part, to operating units. These charges reflect the services and support provided to operating units by the Corporate Center and amounted to EUR 64 million in 2012. Funding costs were also lower in 2012.

Fair value items

Results from fair value items amounted to EUR 0 million driven by positive results on the guarantee portfolio in the Netherlands, offset by negative results in the Americas and in the United Kingdom on hedges, due to higher equity markets.

Realized gains on investments

Realized gains on investments amounted to EUR 407 million and were mainly the result of asset liability management and normal activity in the investment portfolio in a low interest rate environment.

Impairment charges

Impairments decreased 55% in 2012 compared to 2011 to EUR 176 million and continue to be linked primarily to residential mortgage-backed securities in the Americas.

Other charges

Other charges in 2012 amounted to EUR 162 million and were primarily the result of a EUR 265 million charge in the Netherlands related to the acceleration of product improvements for unit-linked insurance policies and a BOLI wrap charge in the United States (EUR 26 million). Providing most of the offset against these charges were the book gain of EUR 100 million on the sale of Aegon’s minority stake in Prisma Capital Partners and the divestment of Aegon’s 50% stake in the joint venture with Banca Cívica (EUR 35 million).

Run-off businesses

The results of run-off businesses amounted to a gain of EUR 2 million, with positive results from the institutional spread-based business only partially offset by accelerated amortization of the pre-paid cost of reinsurance asset related to the divestment of the life reinsurance activities in 2011 due to increased transfers of clients from Aegon to SCOR.

Income tax

Net income contained a tax charge of EUR 326 million in 2012 (including a tax charge of EUR 6 million related to profits of associates), resulting in an effective tax rate of 18%. Deviation from the nominal tax rate is largely the result of tax exempt items in the United States and the Netherlands, tax credits which primarily relate to low income housing and renewable energy in the United States (EUR 69 million), benefits from a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom (EUR 70 million), benefits from cross border intercompany reinsurance transactions (EUR 38 million) and a benefit related to the run-off of the company’s institutional spread-based activities in Ireland (EUR 51 million). These benefits were partly offset by charges for non recognition and impairment of deferred tax assets (EUR 56 million) mainly in the United Kingdom.

Commissions and expenses

Commissions and expenses in 2012 decreased by 7% compared to 2011 to EUR 5,829 million, largely driven by lower operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased 6% compared to 2011 to EUR 3,241 million mainly as a result of the implementation of cost savings programs in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the Americas.

Production

New life sales increased in 2012 compared to 2011 in the Americas and the United Kingdom, partially offset by decreases in the Netherlands and New Markets. Gross deposits increased by 25% driven by variable annuity, retail mutual fund, retirement plan and asset management deposits. New premium production for accident & health insurance increased by 19% for the year mainly driven by travel and supplemental health insurance sales in the Americas and growth in Central & Eastern Europe.

Capital management

Aegon’s core capital excluding revaluation reserves amounted to EUR 18.5 billion, equivalent to 76.7% of the company’s total capital base at December 31, 2012 (2011: 73.5%) . This is above the company’s capital base ratio target of at least 75% by the end of 2012.

Shareholders’ equity increased to EUR 24.6 billion, mainly as a result of net income and an increase in the revaluation reserves. The revaluation reserves increased EUR 2.6 billion during the year to EUR 6.1 billion, mainly a reflection of lower interest rates and credit spreads. Shareholders’ equity per common share, excluding preference capital and revaluation reserves, amounted to EUR 8.45 at December 31, 2012 (2011: EUR 8.19).

During 2012, Aegon aimed to maintain excess capital at the holding of at least EUR 750 million. At the end of the year, excess capital in the holding amounted to EUR 2.0 billion, an increase of EUR 0.8 billion compared to year-end 2011, as dividends received from business units were only partly offset by interest payments and operational expenses.

At December 31, 2012, Aegon’s Insurance Group Directive (IGD) ratio amounted to 228%, an increase from the level of 195% at December 31, 2011. Measured on a local solvency basis, the Risk Based Capital (RBC) ratio in the United States increased to approximately 495%, driven mainly by strong net income throughout the year and a capital management transaction in third quarter, offset by dividends paid to the holding company. The IGD ratio in the Netherlands increased to approximately 251% driven mainly by a change in the yield curve to discount liabilities as prescribed by the Dutch Central Bank, offset somewhat during the year by interest rate movements. The Pillar I ratio in the United Kingdom decreased to approximately 126%.

Results 2011 worldwide

Aegon’s 2011 underlying earnings before tax of EUR 1,522 million and net income of EUR 872 million were impacted by considerable charges, expenses related to the customer redress program in the United Kingdom and business restructuring in its established markets. New life sales volumes were below those of 2010 as a result of repricing of products, however, deposits continued to be strong, particularly in the Americas. Aegon maintained a strong capital position during the year and by completing the repurchase of convertible core capital securities, the company has turned its focus on carrying out a strategy to deliver sustainable earnings growth with an improved risk-return profile.

Net income

Net income in 2011 of EUR 872 million was lower than net income in 2010 (2010: EUR 1,760 million), primarily the result of lower underlying earnings before tax, less gains on investments and a significant decline in results on fair value items.

Underlying earnings before tax

Aegon’s underlying earnings before tax declined to EUR 1,522 million in 2011 from EUR 1,833 million in 2010. The decline compared to last year was mainly due to higher charges and expenses in the United Kingdom related to the customer redress program, higher provisioning for longevity in the Netherlands and the effects of lower interest rates and lower equity markets.

Underlying earnings before tax in the Americas decreased 5% to USD 1,771 million. Earnings from Life & Protection decreased mainly as a result of unfavorable persistency and lower spreads. Individual Savings & Retirement earnings remained stable as increased earnings from variable annuities and retail mutual funds were offset by lower earnings from fixed annuities as the product is de-emphasized. Earnings from Employer Solutions & Pensions increased as a result of continued strong growth of the business.

Underlying earnings from Aegon’s operations in the Netherlands amounted to EUR 298 million, a decrease of 23% compared to 2010. Additional provisioning for longevity of EUR 82 million was only partly offset by the positive impact of favorable technical results.

In the United Kingdom, underlying earnings before tax declined significantly to GBP 5 million. This was mainly due to charges and expenses related to an ongoing program to correct historical issues within customer policy records and the execution of this program partly offset by the benefit of changes to employee benefit plans. The sale of Guardian during the third quarter 2011, and the subsequent loss of earnings, also contributed to the decrease.

In New Markets, Aegon reported underlying earnings before tax of EUR 249 million, an increase of 2% compared to 2010. The increase is primarily the result of higher underlying earnings before tax from Aegon Asset Management.

For Holding and other activities, underlying earnings before tax amounted to a loss of EUR 303 million which is the result of higher expenses related primarily to the preparation for implementation of Solvency II, and higher funding costs.

Fair value items

In 2011, fair value items recorded a loss of EUR 416 million. The significant decline compared to 2010 was driven mainly by lower results from fair value items in the Americas as Aegon lowered its interest rate assumptions which negatively impacted results during the third quarter with EUR 168 million. In addition, lower interest rates, spread widening and volatile equity markets also negatively affected results on fair value items. Less favorable results on fair value movements in the Netherlands also contributed to the decline.

Realized gains on investments

In 2011, realized gains on investments amounted to EUR 446 million and were the result of a decision to replace equities by fixed income securities in the Netherlands, the divestment of the life reinsurance activities in the Americas in addition to normal trading in the investment portfolio.

Impairment charges

Impairment charges improved from the 2010 level of EUR 452 million and amounted to EUR 388 million in 2011. In the United States, impairments were mostly linked to residential mortgage-backed securities. Impairments in the United Kingdom related primarily to exchange offers on specific holdings of European banks and in Central & Eastern Europe impairments were largely attributable to new legislation in Hungary, related to Swiss franc denominated mortgages, affecting the mortgage portfolio.

Other charges

Other charges amounted to EUR 267 million, an improvement compared to charges of EUR 309 million in 2010. In the Americas, a charge of EUR 37 million related to increased reserves in connection with the company’s use of the US Social Security Administration’s death master-file. Restructuring charges in the Netherlands related to a restructuring program to reduce operating expenses going forward amounted to EUR 92 million and a write-down of intangible assets related to the distribution businesses led to a charge of EUR 75 million. In the United Kingdom, restructuring charges amounted to EUR 86 million. In New Markets, charges of EUR 17 million related to the Hungarian bank tax are included, offset by a benefit of EUR 37 million related to a settlement of legal claims by Aegon Asset Management.

Run-off businesses

As of 2011, Aegon’s run-off line of businesses comprises of the institutional spread-based business, structured settlement pay-out annuities, BOLI/COLI and life reinsurance. The results of run-off businesses improved to EUR 28 million as a result of lower amortization yield paid on internally transferred assets related to the institutional spread-based business and favorable mortality results in the pay-out annuities block of business. This was partly offset by the amortization of the prepaid cost of reinsurance and transaction costs related to the divestment of the life reinsurance activities.

Income tax

Net income contained a tax charge of EUR 53 million in 2011 (including a tax charge of EUR 9 million related to profits of associates). Deviation from the nominal tax rate is largely the result of tax credits which primarily relate to low income housing and renewable energy in the United States (EUR 67 million), tax benefits related to utilization of losses for which previously no deferred tax asset was recognized (EUR 62 million), benefits from a tax rate reduction in the United Kingdom (EUR 48 million) and benefits from cross border intercompany reinsurance transactions (EUR 39 million). These benefits were partly offset by charges for non recognition and impairment of deferred tax assets (EUR 59 million) in the United Kingdom.

Commissions and expenses

Commissions and expenses increased 1% in 2011 to EUR 6.3 billion. In 2011, operating expenses increased 1% to EUR 3,442 million as achieved costs savings and the positive effect of changes to employee benefit plans were more than offset by investments in new propositions and restructuring charges, mainly in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Production

New life sales declined, mainly as a result of lower single premium production in the United Kingdom and the effect of the discontinuance of single premium universal life sales in the bank channel during the second half of 2010, as well as repricing of certain universal life products in 2011 in the Americas to reflect the low interest rate environment. Gross deposits of EUR 31.7 billion were supported by variable annuity and pension deposits in the United States, partly offset by lower asset management inflows.

Capital management

Aegon’s core capital, excluding revaluation reserves, amounted to EUR 17.5 billion, equivalent to 73.5% of the company’s total capital base at year-end 2011. Aegon is on track to reach a capital base ratio of at least 75% by the end of 2012.

Shareholders’ equity increased to EUR 21 billion, mainly as a result of the appreciation of the US dollar against the euro -reflected in the foreign currency translation reserves - and a significant increase in the revaluation reserves during the year. The revaluation reserves at December 31, 2011, increased mainly as the result of a decrease in interest rates which had a positive effect on the value of fixed income securities. Shareholders’ equity per common share, excluding preferred capital, amounted to EUR 8.19 at December 31, 2011.

Aegon aims to maintain at least 1.5 times holding expenses as a buffer in the holding, in 2011 equivalent to approximately EUR 900 million. At year-end 2011, excess capital in the holding amounted to EUR 1.2 billion.

At December 31, 2011, Aegon’s Insurance Group Directive (IGD) ratio amounted to 195%. Measured on a local solvency basis, the Risk Based Capital (RBC) ratio in the United States amounted to approximately 450%, the IGD ratio in the Netherlands amounted to approximately 195%, while the Pillar I ratio in the United Kingdom was approximately 150% at year-end 2011.

In February 2011, Aegon issued ordinary shares in an amount of 10% of its share capital, via an accelerated book-build offering. The issue was conducted under Aegon’s US Shelf Registration through the sale of 173,604,912 new common shares of Aegon N.V. with a nominal value of EUR 0.12. The shares were issued at a price of EUR 5.20 per share. The proceeds of EUR 903 million were used to fund part of the repurchase of 375 million convertible core capital securities issued to the Dutch State.

In June 2011, Aegon completed the repurchase of convertible core capital securities from the Dutch State with a final payment of EUR 1.125 billion to repurchase 187.5 million of convertible core capital securities for EUR 750 million and EUR 375 million in premium. With this payment, Aegon fulfilled its key objective of repurchasing all of the EUR 3 billion core capital securities issued to the Dutch State at the height of the financial crisis in 2008. Aegon has paid to the Dutch State a total amount of EUR 4.1 billion, which included EUR 1.1 billion in premium and interest payments.