What is a bridging benefit?

The bridging benefit (OBR) is a temporary income supplement. 

The AOW pension age has gone up. As a result, there may be a period where you do not have enough income. For example, if your early retirement benefit  goes down or stops altogether. Early retirement benefit schemes include the ‘VUT’ early retirement benefit , partner pensions and bridging pensions. If you do not have an early retirement benefit, you cannot get an OBR bridging benefit.

The OBR bridging benefit can provide a supplement to your income. But you will need to meet the conditions relating to early retirement benefit, income and assets. 

Read the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the bridging benefit (OBR) scheme.

If you did not start receiving an early retirement benefit before 1 July 2015, you do not qualify for a bridging benefit. If your early retirement benefit did start before that date, whether or not you can get a bridging benefit will also depend on: 

  • the exact date your early retirement benefit started
  • the date your early retirement benefit stops, goes down in value or is replaced by a regular old age pension
  • the value of your assets
  • your income 

If you have a partner, their income and assets are taken into account as well.

The bridging benefit (OBR) is an income supplement up to a maximum amount. The exact amount you can get will depend on your income and varies from person to person. The amounts shown are the maximum amounts. The bridging benefit will supplement your income to the maximum amount applicable for you.

Your AOW pension age depends on your date of birth. Your AOW pension will start on the day you reach your AOW pension age. Find out your AOW pension age by using the calculation tool.

This can vary from person to person, depending on how much AOW pension insurance you have built up, your total gross monthly income, and your living situation. There are different maximum amounts for people who live alone and people who share a household with another adult.

No, that is not possible. The date that you can start getting your AOW pension (your AOW pension age) is fixed by law. Your AOW pension cannot start earlier or later. Your AOW pension age depends on your date of birth.

You can carry on working after the age of 65. Your employer cannot fire you or force you to retire. 

If you want to retire earlier, make sure you know how the new (higher) AOW pension age will affect your income. Ask your pension fund, pension insurer or your trade union about this. 

If you are not working and your income is below the level of income support, ask your municipality (gemeente) whether you can get income support. 

If you are already getting a benefit from your municipality (gemeente), the following benefits will continue until you reach your AOW pension age:  

  • Income support 
  • An IOAW benefit (a benefit under the Act on Income Provisions for Older and Partially Disabled Workers)
  • An IOAZ benefit (a benefit under the Act on Older and Partially Disabled Former Self-Employed Persons).
  • A Bbz benefit (income support for self-employed persons)