Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland (2024)

The Netherlands is often recognized as having the best ranking in terms of pension systems by the Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index. This high position is attributable to the variety of financing sources used by the Dutch pension system, the precision with which the costs are calculated, and the system’s commitment to ensuring a fair distribution, and its robust regulation by the Dutch Central Bank and the Authority for the financial markets.

Pension in The Netherlands, like other countries, is well-prepared to deal with the issue of the aging population since it incorporates different models of pension funding with the policy of solidarity and risk-sharing.

How to find the best pension offering if you don’t speak Dutch? You can right-click anywhere on the page of the provider with your mouse (if you are using Google Chrome). A dropdown menu willappear with the text: “translate this page to English”. This will make it easier for you to make the right choice.

We have listed below the criteria by which we have listed a top 3 of the best pension companies in the Netherlands.

Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland (1)

      English speaking customer service
      Tax advantages explained
      Good documentation
      Automatically reduce risk by age
      Clear contracts (no hidden costs)
      Supplementary pension
    Company
    Pro’s /Con’s
    Rating
    #1 -The best pension company
    Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland (2)
    ★★★★★
    Rating

    A company that offers an app in English with great customer support and excellent documentation and background information about pensions

    A company that offers an app in English with great customer support and excellent documentation and background information about pensions

        Convenient access via app
        English app & website
        English documentation
        Secure
        Greater investment options
        First you need to setup up investment account before you can open pension account

      9.0

      Visit Peaks.nl
      #2

      Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland (3)
      ★★★★☆
      Rating

      New player on the market. You can open a pension account online quite easily, secure and with real-time information.

      New player on the market. You can open a pension account online quite easily, secure and with real-time information.

          User-friendly
          Real-time information
          Low Fees
          Everything can be handled online
          No English website

        8.0

        Visit Brandnewday.nl
        #3

        Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland (4)
        ★★★★☆
        Rating

        ABN Amro is a top 3 bank from the Netherlands – lots of brick and mortar offices throughout the Netherlands. Tradional pension account, but slightly higher fees.

        ABN Amro is a top 3 bank from the Netherlands – lots of brick and mortar offices throughout the Netherlands. Tradional pension account, but slightly higher fees.

            English website
            Brick and mortar bank
            Too big to fail
            No realtime insights
            Higher fees

          7.8

          Visit ABN AMRO.nl

          Pension System in Dutch

          The Dutch pension system combines an individual investing system with a pay-as-you-go system in which working people are responsible for funding pension benefits. The individual investment system collects, and the individuals can make high and low-risk investments to enhance the amount they generally get from the state pension. Around 30% of Dutch residents are over 65 years, than the average of 28% across 37 other OECD countries. The general life expectancy in the Netherlands is about 82, slightly above the standard of 81.

          The Dutch pension for expats consists of three pillars: state, private, and workplace pensions. The State pension is generally called AOW. Dutch pension funds accounted for over $1.7 trillion in assets in 2019, leaving behind US, UK, and Australia. Over the OECD nation, the total assets of pension fund were over 191% of the GDP.

          Eligibility Criteria For Pensions in The Netherlands

          The updated Dutch state pension age is 66 and four months, with over 65 in 2018. It is about to rise to 67 in 2024. The date you get your Netherlands Pensions for expats is based on the year you were born. The SVB also offers a pension calculator to find your retirement age and eligibility for a pension.

          It is feasible to retire early in the Netherlands. However, you will generally need to finance it by yourself since you will get the full state pension until you reach the official pension age of the Dutch. You may also be eligible for bridging the benefits if you fall under the conditions of the SVB. It is also feasible to work after your retirement age if you want to build a bigger pension for yourself and your family.

          Who Can Claim The State Pension?

          You will build about 2% of your state pension every year you work or live in the Netherlands. To get the full pension, you should be over 50 years of contribution. If you don’t have the full allocation, the pension will be calculated based on your contributed years. If you happen to move countries, it will reduce the pension amount/individuals between the age of 15 and 65 can lose about two percent of their Netherlands pension every year.

          In some cases, foreigners working abroad can benefit from international pensions for expats. For instance, throughout the first year of their assignment, several expats voluntarily enroll in state pension insurance.

          What Happens If An Expat Is Not Eligible For Full Pension?

          If you are eligible for an expat pension in Holland, you can still choose to apply for the AIO supplement. It can bring your income up to the level of the Dutch’s guaranteed minimum income. To be qualified, you will have to be the age of pension and live in the Netherlands, and you are not eligible for a full state pension and have zero income assets.

          The updated AIO supplement is €1,250.05 monthly for those who live independently. If you have a partner living with you and need an AIO supplement, you will both be eligible for €1,526.54 monthly. You will be eligible for €763.27 monthly if your partner does not need supplements. If interested, visit the SVB’s official website to learn more about eligibility.

          Pensions For Expats

          Since the Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Area and European Union, citizens from the EU, Switzerland, and European Economic Area can legally work, reside, and retire without needing a Visa.

          The non-EU nationals will need DutchVisa. After five years of living in the Netherlands, you will be eligible for a permanent residence permit.

          Transferring Your Pension To The Netherlands

          EU and Swiss residents can combine the pensions earned in other EU member countries to count the Dutch pension. They can do it by informing the office of the respective country’s pension department.

          A number of bilateral social security agreements between the Netherlands and other nations permit foreigners to transfer foreign pension funds to retirees in the Netherlands. These agreements will alleviate the implications of the tax transferring pension funds, such as double taxation. Following are the countries with Bilateral social security agreements in the Netherlands are:

          • Australia.
          • Argentina.
          • Egypt.
          • Canada.
          • Belize.
          • Bosnia.
          • Hong Kong.
          • India.
          • Ecuador.
          • Channel Islands.
          • Japan.
          • Mali.
          • Jordan.
          • Monaco.
          • Kosovo.
          • Israel.
          • Indonesia.
          • Panama.
          • The Philippines.
          • Suriname.
          • Thailand

          Some nationalities may be able to transfer their Dutch pension overseas if they are among those who reside outside of the Netherlands. You can also check whether it is possible for your nation of residence using the tools of the SVB. In some cases, the residents moving out of the Netherlands can claim the remigration benefits to cover the monthly living expenses.

          The Dutch State Pension

          The worker’s contribution, which is calculated at 17.9% of the employee’s salary, pays for the Dutch State pension. Single pensioners are entitled to the full state pension and can get a total of about €1,270.67. Overall pension income in the Dutch is subjected to tax. Some pensioners can also pay national insurance, while it is necessary to make health insurance contributions. With this, pensioners will get beneficial tax rates and the amount they will pay based on their circ*mstances.

          Conclusion

          When you want to learn more aboutDutch pensions for expats,the best option would be to seek financial advice from a certified professional, especially when you want to make further investments or combine the pensions from your home country.

          Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland (2024)

          FAQs

          Pension System in the Netherlands Explained for Expats - Living in Holland? ›

          For each year you live or work in the Netherlands, you build 2% towards your state pension. To receive the full pension (100%), you must have 50 years of contributions. If you don't have the full allocation, your pension is calculated based on the number of years you contributed.

          Do expats get pension in the Netherlands? ›

          You can build up a full AOW pension if you live and work in the Netherlands for 50 years before you reach your AOW pension age. If you work in the Netherlands but do not live here, you might still be entitled to 2% of the AOW pension for each year that you worked in the country.

          How does the Dutch pension system work? ›

          If you are employed in the Netherlands, you are probably building up a workplace pension through your employer. Your employer pays an amount into the pension fund each month. An additional contribution is often withheld from your pay. This is how you automatically set aside money for when you retire.

          What are the pension rules in the Netherlands? ›

          Old Age Pension (AOW)

          Everyone who resides or works in the Netherlands builds up this pension over the years. The state pension age (AOW age) is gradually changing, until it reaches 67 years in 2024. In 2028 the state pension age will be raised again, to 67 years and 3 months.

          What is the new pension contract in the Netherlands? ›

          The new system provides for the accrual of a pension as part of an individual pension capital, combined with the benefits of collective risk sharing. At the heart of the changes is the abolition of the system of average premiums, whereby one premium is paid for each individual, regardless of age.

          How much is a full pension in Netherlands? ›

          The basic pension benefit for a single person equalled EUR 1 334.94 per month in 2022. For couples, the amount per person is EUR 914.15 for a total amount of EUR 1 828.30 per couple. There is an additional holiday allowance of EUR 69.30 per single person and 49.51 per person for couples.

          Can I retire in the Netherlands as an American? ›

          The Netherlands, like other European countries, is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means that American retirees are allowed visa-free entry into the Dutch country as tourists or for business purposes up to 90 days. If you plan on a longer residency, you will have to apply for a permit.

          Are Dutch pensions taxable in the US? ›

          U.S.-Netherlands Tax Treaty and the Foreign Tax Credit

          Pensions usually are taxable only in the country of residence. In other words, if you worked in the Netherlands, now live in the United States and receive a Dutch pension, you should not be subject to Dutch income taxation. However, there are some exceptions.

          Why is the Dutch pension so high? ›

          This is due to the way in which retirement provision is organised in the Netherlands. A strong feature of the Dutch pension system is the combination of pay-as-you-go funding for the state pension ('AOW') as the first pillar, and capital funding for the occupational pension as the second pillar.

          What happens to my pension if I leave the Netherlands? ›

          Everyone living or working in the Netherlands is automatically insured under the Old Age Pensions Act (AOW). This insurance stops when you go to live or work outside the Netherlands. Your state pension (AOW) will stop accruing. As a result, you will receive a lower state pension (AOW) when you reach retirement age.

          Do you pay tax on pension in Netherlands? ›

          If you receive more than €20,000 a year in pension, annuity and social insurance payments from the Netherlands, in most cases your pension will be taxed in the Netherlands. If you worked for the Dutch government, you will normally pay tax in the Netherlands on the pension you built up during that time.

          What is the Social Security pension in the Netherlands? ›

          Old-age pension (Algemene Ouderdomswet, AOW ): Age 66 (gradually rising to age 67 and three months by 2022) and a resident of the Netherlands or working in the Netherlands from age 16 (gradually rising to age 17 and three months by 2022) to age 66 (gradually rising to age 67 and three months by 2022); if income was ...

          What is the salary cap for pension in the Netherlands? ›

          The average pensionable base equals the average pensionable salary minus a state pension component of approximately €17,000 (2024 figure). The pensionable salary is capped at approximately €137,000 per year (2024 figure).

          Do expats get a Dutch pension? ›

          It is possible to receive the state / AOW pension if you move out of the Netherlands. Whether you receive it, and how much, depends on several factors, mostly how long you have lived in the country and at what point you leave.

          Is there mandatory retirement in the Netherlands? ›

          The Netherlands

          For Dutch private sector employees, there is no statutory mandatory retirement age from employment. However, parties may agree that a contract of employment for an indefinite period of time ends by operation of law when the employee reaches the pension age.

          What is a standard pension contribution in Netherlands? ›

          Public Pensions

          The system covers employees in the private sector, civil servants and the self-employed. Contributions are paid on income at a rate of 17.9%, which is employee-financed and until 2028 the state pension will be guaranteed to rise in line with inflation.

          What is the expat allowance in the Netherlands? ›

          Since January 2019, the Dutch tax benefit has enabled employers to reimburse employees for extraterritorial costs up to 30% of their taxable salary for up to five years. This reimbursem*nt is tax-free for both the employer and the employee. The ruling (under the 2024 tax plan) has since undergone an amendment.

          Do expats pay Social Security in Netherlands? ›

          Only residents of The Netherlands and non-residents subject to Dutch wage taxes pay into the national social security system if they receive income from employment or from any other source. The premiums are withheld when the income is paid out or paid by regular tax assessment if no withholding occur (business owners).

          What happens to your pension if you leave the Netherlands? ›

          Everyone living or working in the Netherlands is automatically insured under the Old Age Pensions Act (AOW). This insurance stops when you go to live or work outside the Netherlands. Your state pension (AOW) will stop accruing. As a result, you will receive a lower state pension (AOW) when you reach retirement age.

          Can I still get my pension if I live abroad? ›

          Personal and workplace pensions

          If you're in a personal or workplace pension scheme, moving abroad shouldn't have any effect: your pension should continue to be paid in full. you're normally entitled to any rises regardless of where you live in the world.

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