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Pension gap check — am I short?

Q: Do I get full AOW if I came to NL later?

No, not automatically. Full AOW requires 50 yrs living in NL between 16 and AOW age. Per missing year: 2% reduction. Example: 30 yrs in NL = 60% of full AOW = ~€900/mo single instead of €1,500. Tip: on partial AOW + low supplementary pension, request AIO supplement at SVB (up to welfare level). Many migrants don't know this — SVB desk or svb.nl for specific calc.

Q: How do I know what I really get from pillar 2?

Login at mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl with DigiD. Shows all old pots + expected payout at AOW age. Important nuance: figures are nominal (no inflation correction). With 30 yrs of 2.5% inflation: purchasing power halves. Use "real return" (after inflation) 2-3% for realistic projection.

Q: ZZP'er — how do I arrange pension?

FOR abolished 2023. Three main routes: (1) Lijfrente at Brand New Day / DEGIRO / Centraal Beheer: annual room deductible, withdrawal from AOW. (2) Investment account (ETF portfolio): not deductible but flexible, Box 3 applies. (3) Own BV with DGA pension: complex, worth it on profit >€100k. Plus: AOV (disability insurance) is pseudo-pension building block as it prevents income gap during illness.

Q: 30% ruling expat — effect on pension?

Employer pension builds on taxable portion of salary, so after 30% deduction. Effect: 30% lower pension pot at same wage year. With €100k gross + 30% ruling = pension builds as if you earn €70k = ~30% lower payout at retirement. Compensation: use the higher net income to HEAVILY use pillar 3 (lijfrente). Effectively gets you a better flexible pension pot than automatic via employer.

Q: How early should I start pension saving?

Ideally at first job. Time magic: €200/mo from 25 = ~€200k at 67 (5% return). Same €200 from 40 = ~€90k. Starting at 35 instead of 25 = 50% less final capital for the same monthly amount. Rule of thumb: depositing = good, depositing earlier = much better. On doubt: start with €50/mo in lijfrente or index investing + raise yearly.

AOW + employer pension + personal saving vs “what you actually need per month”. With scenarios: today + +10 yrs saving + larger deposits.

Calculator

Project your pension gap

Where will your pension actually land? AOW + employer pension + private savings vs the income you want to maintain. Numbers update live.

Your current age 35 Used to project the years of growth.

Current gross annual income What you earn now — sets the target.

€

Pension pot value today From mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl, plus any extra retirement savings.

€

Monthly pension contribution Your share + employer share combined (rough estimate is fine).

€

Target replacement rate 70% 70% is the Dutch convention. Some people aim higher (80-85%), some lower (60%).

I have a fiscal partner (AOW couple rate) Couples receive less AOW per person.

Monthly gap €0 between target and projected

Target monthly income €0

Projected monthly income €0

Extra monthly savings needed €0

Pot growth to retirement

AOW (state pension) Employer pension Target

Indicative projection. Assumes 4% annual real growth on pension pot (Nederlandse Bank long-term assumption). Actual pension depends on employer scheme, market returns, and AOW indexation.

In short

Dutch pension has three pillars. Pillar 1 — AOW: state pension for anyone who lived in NL between 15 and AOW age. Full buildup = 50 yrs in NL. AOW age 2026: 67 yrs 3 months. Full AOW 2026: ~€1,500/mo single, ~€1,030/mo per partner (cohabiting). With <50 yrs residence: 2% reduction per missing year. Pillar 2 — employer pension: collective via employer (mandatory in many sectors via CAO). Premium usually 18-22% of pensionable salary, employee + employer combined. From 2027 new system: defined-contribution instead of defined-benefit (transition law 2023). Effect: more transparency, more market-return volatility. Pillar 3 — personal: lijfrente, ETF portfolio, owned home (mortgage paid off = lower required income). Target income: rule of thumb 70% of last salary to maintain same standard of living (lower expenses: no pension contribution, kids gone, mortgage partly paid). 2026 rule of thumb: single with €3,500 net target = €42k/yr. AOW covers ~€18k, pension fund averages ~€15k at 40-yr buildup → gap ~€9k/yr = €750/mo. Close via €200-300/mo lijfrente from age 35 or via mortgage payoff. ZZP'ers: no pillar 2 by default — entirely your own responsibility. Starting early matters enormously: €200/mo from 25 = ~€200k at 67 at 6% return. Same €200 from 40 = ~€90k. Time is 80% of the return.

You enter

Current age — Determines years to AOW + compounding time. Under 35 = lots of room; over 55 = limited.
Years lived in NL (16-AOW age) — Determines AOW percentage. 50 yrs = 100%. For migrant with say 30 yrs = 60% × full AOW.
Pension overview (mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl) — Login DigiD → shows expected payout at AOW age based on current buildup. Find exact figure.
Current savings + investments — What you currently have in pillar 3 (lijfrente, ETF, savings, not own home). Starting amount for growth projection.
Monthly pillar-3 deposit — What you currently deposit into lijfrente or invest at DEGIRO/Brand New Day/etc. Inflation-indexed helps.
Desired monthly income at retirement — What do you need to maintain life? Rule of thumb 70% of last net salary. Actual current expenses × 0.80 is more precise.
Mortgage payoff situation — Mortgage fully paid at AOW? Significantly lowers required income (no monthly payment).

You get back

Expected monthly income at AOW age — AOW + employer pension + pillar-3 drawdown = total gross/month at your retirement date.
Pension gap gross + net — Difference between desired and expected. Net (after AOW-rate 19.07%) is what you really miss.
Required extra deposit/month — How much extra per month to close gap by AOW age. Based on realistic investment return.
Three scenarios (3%/5%/7% return) — Pessimistic / expected / optimistic final capital. Real return typically falls in this range.
Effect of starting one year later — How much delaying pillar-3 saving by one year costs you. For twenty-somethings often €10-30k in final capital.

The math behind it

Final capital = (current savings × (1+r)^years) + (monthly deposit × ((1+r)^years − 1) / r × 12)

Where:
• r = annual return (rule of thumb 5% real = after inflation)
• years = years to AOW age 67 yrs 3 months (2026 standard)

Monthly pension from final capital: annuity payout over expected remaining lifespan (women 90 / men 88 average). On €200k pot + 20-yr payout at 3% return = ~€1,110/mo gross.

AOW 2026:
• Single full: €1,498/mo gross (~€1,180 net after tax credit)
• Per partner cohabiting: €1,029/mo gross (~€875 net)

Employer pension: typical buildup 1.7-2% per service year × pensionable salary. 40 yrs × 1.875% × €45k = €33,750/yr (gross) ≈ €2,800/mo gross. After AOW rate and deductions: ~€2,200 net.

30%-ruling expats: don't build pension on the 30% portion → lower pillar-2 pot. Important: close gap via pillar 3 (lijfrente).

Worked example

Sara, 35, IT employee Amsterdam:
• Salary €65,000 gross, no 30% ruling
• Employer pension 1.875%/yr × €48k pensionable (after franchise) = expected 40-yr buildup → ~€36k/yr = €3,000/mo gross
• Savings + investments: €15k
• Monthly pillar-3 deposit: €0 (no lijfrente)
• Target income: 70% of €48k net = €33,600/yr = €2,800/mo net

At AOW age 32 yrs later:
AOW: €1,500 gross/mo (full 50-yr buildup)
Employer pension: €3,000 gross/mo
Pillar 3: €15k × (1.05)^32 = €72,000 = ~€320/mo over 20 yrs
Total gross: €4,820/mo → net ~€3,700/mo (after AOW rate).
Target net: €2,800.
No gap — Sara is comfortable! Full NL-AOW + strong pension fund carry the load.

Tom, 35, ZZP consultant:
Same age + savings as Sara, BUT no employer pension.
AOW: €1,500 (same)
Employer pension: €0
Pillar 3 current: €15k → ~€320/mo
Total gross: €1,820/mo → net ~€1,500/mo.
Gap vs €2,800 target: €1,300/mo net.
Action: deposit lijfrente €15,000/yr (max within annual room) × 32 yrs = ~€1,500k final capital at 5% → €6,000/mo over 20 yrs. Overshoots target, gives buffer + flexibility. Effective monthly cost: €1,250/mo (partly Box 1 deductible).

How to read the result

Three pillars, three strategies
Pillar 1 (AOW): fixed amount for everyone with NL years. Pillar 2 (employer): watch out when switching jobs or going freelance. Pillar 3 (self): most flexible — lijfrente annual room gives IB deduction + growth.
Time is 80% of the return
€100/mo from 25 to 67 at 5% = ~€165k. Same €100 from 40 = ~€55k. 15-year difference = 3x final capital. Start today, even with a small amount.
Lijfrente: deductible + deferred-taxed
Deposit = deductible in Box 1 (max annual room 13.3% of income, + prior years reserve). Tax deferred until retirement age. At retirement: lower Box 1 rate (AOW-age bracket 1 = 19.07%). Effective win ratio ~10-15%.
Take employer pension along when changing jobs
On job change: leave old buildup where it is (no mandatory value transfer since 2020). Or request transfer to new fund if return expectation there is better. Pensioenoverzicht.nl shows all old pots together.
Don't rely on pensioenoverzicht.nl alone
The overview shows nominal amounts without inflation correction. With 30 yrs to AOW + 2.5% inflation: purchasing power halves. Always run a real-income projection in real terms (after inflation). Investment return after inflation 2-5% real is more realistic than nominal 6-8%.

Key terms

AOW: General Old Age Act. State pension from 67 yrs 3 months (2026). Buildup 2%/yr in NL between 16 and AOW age. 100% at 50 yrs.
Pillar 1 / 2 / 3: Pillar 1 = AOW (government). Pillar 2 = employer pension (collective). Pillar 3 = personal (lijfrente, investments, owned home).
Defined-benefit (DB): Old pension form: amount at retirement is fixed (promise). Disappears 2027 for new buildup — existing stays.
Defined-contribution (DC): New pension form from 2027: premium is fixed, end amount depends on return. More market risk for participant.
Pensionable salary: Gross salary minus franchise (~€15k 2026). Employer and employee premiums calculated on this. Higher franchise = lower pension buildup.
Lijfrente: Pillar-3 product. Deposit = Box 1 deductible within annual room. Withdrawal only from AOW age. Providers: Brand New Day, DEGIRO, Centraal Beheer, Nationale-Nederlanden.
Annual room: Maximum lijfrente deductible this year: ~13.3% of pension base (profit minus franchise for ZZP). Unused room 7 yrs back via "reserve room".
AIO supplement: Supplementary income for AOW pensioners with partial buildup (often migrant with <50 NL yrs). Up to welfare level. Apply at SVB.

Frequently asked

Do I get full AOW if I came to NL later?

No, not automatically. Full AOW requires 50 yrs living in NL between 16 and AOW age. Per missing year: 2% reduction. Example: 30 yrs in NL = 60% of full AOW = ~€900/mo single instead of €1,500. Tip: on partial AOW + low supplementary pension, request AIO supplement at SVB (up to welfare level). Many migrants don't know this — SVB desk or svb.nl for specific calc.

How do I know what I really get from pillar 2?

Login at mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl with DigiD. Shows all old pots + expected payout at AOW age. Important nuance: figures are nominal (no inflation correction). With 30 yrs of 2.5% inflation: purchasing power halves. Use "real return" (after inflation) 2-3% for realistic projection.

ZZP'er — how do I arrange pension?

FOR abolished 2023. Three main routes: (1) Lijfrente at Brand New Day / DEGIRO / Centraal Beheer: annual room deductible, withdrawal from AOW. (2) Investment account (ETF portfolio): not deductible but flexible, Box 3 applies. (3) Own BV with DGA pension: complex, worth it on profit >€100k. Plus: AOV (disability insurance) is pseudo-pension building block as it prevents income gap during illness.

30% ruling expat — effect on pension?

Employer pension builds on taxable portion of salary, so after 30% deduction. Effect: 30% lower pension pot at same wage year. With €100k gross + 30% ruling = pension builds as if you earn €70k = ~30% lower payout at retirement. Compensation: use the higher net income to HEAVILY use pillar 3 (lijfrente). Effectively gets you a better flexible pension pot than automatic via employer.

How early should I start pension saving?

Ideally at first job. Time magic: €200/mo from 25 = ~€200k at 67 (5% return). Same €200 from 40 = ~€90k. Starting at 35 instead of 25 = 50% less final capital for the same monthly amount. Rule of thumb: depositing = good, depositing earlier = much better. On doubt: start with €50/mo in lijfrente or index investing + raise yearly.

Complex situations

Edge cases that typical net-pay tools skip but actually matter for a real Dutch tax situation. Each one assumes the basic case above and tells you what changes.

Migrant with partial AOW — AIO rescue

With <50 yrs living in NL: 2% reduction per year. Example: 25 yrs in NL = 50% AOW = €750/mo instead of €1,500. With low supplementary pension a gap appears under welfare level. AIO supplement (Aanvullende Inkomensvoorziening Ouderen) tops up to welfare level. Apply at SVB with DigiD — for everyone, including migrants. Wealth test: cash + investments below welfare limit (~€7,500 single, €15,000 with partner). Above: no AIO. Owned home is allowed.

ZZP without pillar 2 — build it yourself

Without employer pension you rely fully on pillar 1 + 3. Rule of thumb: 20% of profit per year in pillar 3. At €80k profit = €16k/yr in lijfrente or ETF portfolio. Lijfrente annual room: ~13.3% of profit minus franchise (max ~€17k/yr). Box 1 deductible, withdrawal only from AOW. Above room: deposit in investment account (Box 3 tax). AOV is essential: disability = no WIA. ~€200-500/mo premium deductible. Start before 35 — after that premium rises sharply.

30% ruling expat — lower pillar 2, higher pillar 3

Employer pension builds on taxable income (after 30% deduction). At gross €100k + 30% ruling: pension builds as if €70k. Effect: ~30% smaller pension pot at retirement. Compensation strategy: use the extra net cashflow to load up pillar 3 via lijfrente. Example: €100k expat has €14k extra net/yr due to 30% ruling. Deposit €10k/yr in lijfrente → Box 1 deductible → effective cost €6,300 net + build own pension pot. After 5-yr 30% ruling ends: you've built €50-60k extra pension capital compensating the employer pension shortfall.

Early retirement — own money first

Wanting to stop between 55 and 67: AOW + pillar 2 only come at 67. In between must come from own money. Calculate: at early retirement 60 = 7 yrs to bridge × desired income. Example €3,000/mo net × 12 × 7 = €252k needed in own pot before AOW + pillar 2 kick in. Pillar 2 can sometimes pay earlier (from 60 instead of AOW age) but lower amount. Strategies: build ETF portfolio, pay off mortgage so housing costs disappear, part-time work to close gap.

Partner pension on death — check your policy

On death, partner gets partner pension. Two types: (1) Risk-based: only during employment, stops if you change job or become unemployed. (2) Build-up-based: locked in pension pot, stays after job change. Many employees don't know which type they have. Important on job change or unemployment: check pensioenoverzicht.nl for partner-pension status. With risk-based pension: consider separate term life insurance to close gap. 2027 system: new partner-pension rules being introduced — check after transition.

Pension transition 2027 — from DB to DC

Pension Future Act (2023) changes from 2027 from defined-benefit (promise) to defined-contribution (premium fixed, end amount return-dependent). Effect: (1) More transparency — you see your personal pot. (2) More volatility — return determines end amount. (3) Possibly lower payout — employers no longer guarantee. Pension funds have until 2028 to switch. In between: existing buildup stays DB, new buildup becomes DC. What to do: strengthen pillar 3 (lijfrente) to dampen volatility. ETF portfolio as buffer alongside collective pension.

What this tool doesn't do

This tool calculates pension gap based on 2026 AOW tables + standard employer-pension buildup. Many complex situations are worked out above. Out of scope: specific occupational pension funds with deviating rules, international pension transfer (EU portability), DGA pension via own BV. For your exact situation: mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl + pension advisor if complex.