Your income up to your AOW pension age
When you reach your AOW pension age your income will probably stop. Select the situation that applies to you and find out what will happen to your income.
You work for an employer
The end date of your employment contract will be stated in the contract. Your contract will automatically end when you reach your AOW pension age. Your salary will be paid until you reach your AOW pension age.
You are self-employed or a freelancer
As a self-employed person or freelancer, you can decide yourself when to stop work. You can stop working when you reach your AOW pension age, but you can also choose to stop earlier or later. If you stop earlier, you should bear in mind that you will be responsible yourself for ensuring an adequate income until you reach your AOW pension age.
You receive an incapacity benefit (WAO or WIA), unemployment benefit (WW), sickness benefit, income support or an Anw survivor benefit
The following benefits will be paid until you reach your AOW age, providing you continue to meet the qualifying conditions.
- WAO incapacity benefit (under the Incapacity Benefits Act)
- WIA incapacity benefit (under the Work and Income According to Labour Capacity Act)
- WW unemployment benefit (under the Unemployment Benefits Act)
- Sickness benefit
- Income support
- Anw survivor benefit (under the National Survivor Benefits Act)
You receive a VUT early retirement benefit or similar benefit
The date your early retirement benefit stops will be stated in your collective agreement (CAO). It is possible that your early retirement benefit will be reduced for a while or stopped altogether before the start of your AOW pension.
If there is a temporary reduction in your income, you can apply for a pension bridging benefit (OBR).
You are going to retire from work before your AOW pension age
If you retire early, you will need to provide for your own income until you reach your AOW pension age.
If you live outside the Netherlands, you may not have built up enough years of Dutch insurance to get a full AOW pension when you reach your AOW pension age.