The state aid received by Dutch insurer Aegon NV (AEG) wasn't necessary to survive the financial crisis, Chief Executive Alex Wynaendts says in an interview published by Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad Thursday.

However, he adds he doesn't regret accepting the EUR3 billion capital injection, "because no one knew what would happen after the collapse of Lehman."

The CEO still expects his company to repay EUR1 billion to the Dutch government before Dec. 1, 2009. Aegon recently issued EUR1 billion in new shares to repay the government.

Wynaendts also says the company hopes to be able to repay the remaining EUR2 billion within three years of receiving the government life-line.

-By Amsterdam Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; amsterdam@dowjones.com