How does the pension system work in the Netherlands for expats?

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.

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

✓ 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   ★★★★★ 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   ★★★★☆ 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   ★★★★☆ 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 circumstances.

Conclusion

When you want to learn more about Dutch 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.