Dutch retirement income can combine the state AOW pension with occupational pension built through employers and private provision. Newcomers should check pension as part of the employment package rather than waiting until retirement.
Does your employer have a pension scheme?
Check your contract, cao and pension information. In some sectors participation in a pension fund is compulsory. Your payslip may show an employee pension contribution, but the complete scheme information comes from the pension provider.
The system is changing
The Netherlands is in the transition to the pension system under the Wet toekomst pensioenen. Government information in September 2026 says schemes must comply with the new rules by 1 January 2028. More than half of Dutch participants were already building or receiving pension under the new rules by mid-2026, so two employees can currently encounter different transition stages.
If you change employer or leave the Netherlands
Do not assume an old occupational pension disappears. Small pensions can in some cases be automatically transferred to a new provider. Keep provider details and review your pension overview when changing jobs or countries.
Employee checklist
- Identify the pension provider and scheme.
- Check employee and employer contributions.
- Check partner/survivor cover.
- Ask whether and when your scheme transitions under the new pension rules.
- Review pensions after changing employer or leaving the Netherlands.