The new pension system is raising many questions. These questions come in through our customer service or during our dialogue sessions with members who are receiving a pension. On this page, you'll find a run-down of the most frequently asked questions about the new pension system, along with the answers.
Click on the links below for answers to the questions about:
The current rules for pensions have worked well for years, but this is changing. This is why trade unions, employers and the government have made new rules.
Read here why the rules have been changed.
This is required by law under the Future of Pensions Act (Wet toekomst pensioenen, or Wtp). The new rules will apply, in any case, to pensions with contributions paid in after the transition to the new rules. And in most cases, they will also apply to pensions built up before the transition.
We expect to switch to the new pension rules on 1 January 2027.
We expect to switch to the new pension system on 1 January 2027. If the economy is in a downturn at that point, we will assess how that impacts pensions. We will do our best to prevent pensions from being negatively affected by the transition to the new rules.
If the economic situation is so bad that we would have to reduce pensions for large groups of people, or if some groups of people will be worse off than others, we will assess what we can do within the scope provided by the new legislation. We may, for example, decide to postpone the transition.
The new rules will apply, in any case, to pensions with contributions paid in after the transition to the new rules. And in most cases, they will also apply to pensions built up before the transition.
You cannot individually choose whether or not to have the pension you’ve already accrued switched to the new rules. The law stipulates that representatives of employers and employees must make that decision. You will find the agreements made in this respect on our website later this year. You will also receive a personal letter about your pension in 2026.
The new rules will apply, in any case, to pensions with contributions paid in after the transition to the new rules. And in most cases, they will also apply to pensions built up before the transition.
If so, your pension will be fully switched to the new rules. Click on your industry to view the agreements for your pension.
In that case, your accrued pension may not be converted, albeit only in the following situations:
The current rules will continue to apply to the pension entitlements you accrued before the transition to the new rules. Your (former) employer's agreements regarding the new pension system will be available on our website later this year. You will also receive a personal letter about your pension in 2026.
The new rules do not yet offer the option to withdraw a lump sum from your pension pot. The Dutch Senate still needs to decide on the legislation that governs this.
Good to know: if this legislation passes the Senate and is implemented, you will only be able to choose to withdraw a lump sum when you start drawing your pension, not if you're already retired.
Most people who have a pension with us will join a Solidary Contribution Scheme. Under this scheme, the money from all pension pots combined is invested based on our investment policy. You cannot make your own choices as to how these funds are invested.
This scheme will apply to you if you are or were working in the following industries:
If so, your (former) employer may have opted for a Flexible Contribution Scheme. Under this pension scheme, you can choose the level of risk we take in investing the money in your pension pot. Your (former) employer's agreements regarding the new pension system will be available on our website later this year. You will also receive a personal letter about your pension in 2026.
Which pension scheme will apply to you depends on the agreements made by your industry or employer.
Select your industry to view the pension agreements.
In that case, your (former) employer will have made agreements about your pension. Later this year, you will find details of these agreements on our website. You will also receive a personal letter about your pension in 2026.
Did you work in one of following industries? If you were, the agreements made for your industry will apply. We will convert your pension to the new rules.
And has your former employer gone out of business? In that case, your pension will not be converted to the new rules. Your pension will continue to be governed by the current rules. You will also receive a personal letter about your pension in 2026.
Under the new rules, there is still a partner's pension. However, the partner's pension will change in some cases.
The amount of the partner's pension will be a percentage of your salary at the time of your death. It will no longer matter how long you have worked for your employer. And in any case, you will be insured for a partner's pension for as long as you pay contributions towards your pension with us.
If you have already built up a partner's pension before the transition to the new rules, this partner’s pension will be maintained. If you die while still contributing towards your pension with us, your partner will receive both the new partner's pension under the new rules and the partner's pension you had already built up. Your partner will receive this for as long as they live.
The choices you made when you retired will still apply. If you opted to include a partner’s pension, your partner will be entitled to that pension under the new rules as well. Like your own pension, your partner’s pension will move more in line with the economy.
You will receive the partner’s pension under the new rules as well. What will change is that the partner's pension will also move more in line with the economy. This means that we will be able to increase your pension quicker when the economy is doing well. However, if the economy is not in such good shape, we will also be able to reduce your pension. To prevent the latter as much as possible, we have made agreements to, for example, reduce the risk in our investments when your pension has already gone into payment. We spread our investment results out over multiple years. And the Solidary Contribution Scheme includes a reserve fund that allows us to top up pensions that have already gone into payment to prevent cuts as much as possible.
Good to know: your monthly pension payments will not change from month to month. As we do currently. we will determine your monthly pension payment amount annually. This way, you know what to expect for the entire year.
That depends on your situation. Good to know: it's a common misconception that if you retire before the transition to the new pension rules, the new rules won't apply to you. This is because pensioners' pensions in payment will also transition to the new rules.
Retiring before your statutory retirement date will mean that you get a lower pension. This is because it means both that you reduce the time over which you accrue a pension and that you will be drawing a pension for longer.
You may also miss out on any compensation arranged in your new pension scheme. After all, you only receive such compensation while you pay contributions towards your pension, not after you’ve retired. Check with your employer to see if this would be the case.
No. As we do currently, we will determine your monthly pension payment amount on an annual basis. This way, you know what to expect for the entire year.
The new pension system includes agreements aimed at minimising pension reductions. For example, we will invest with less risk as you approach retirement and when you’re retired. And we will spread out the investment results for pensioners over several years. Which agreements apply to you depends on what your industry or employer have arranged with respect to your pension.
That depends on the agreements made for your pension and on our financial situation on 1 January 2027. In the autumn of 2026, we will send you an initial overview with amounts. These amounts will be estimates. In the autumn of 2027, you will receive a second overview with amounts. These amounts will no longer be estimates, but the actual amounts that will apply to you from then on.
No. If you’re retired, you will keep receiving your pension every month as normal. Even if you live to a 120.
Even if you’re already receiving a pension, your pension will still change. What will change for you depends on the agreements that your former employer or the industry made.
