AOW pension - Your partner is going into a nursing home

While you and your partner are living in the same house, you will each receive an AOW pension at the rate for a married person, which is based on 50% of the net minimum wage. If your partner goes into a nursing home for long-term care, you can ask for your AOW pensions to be converted to pensions at the rate for a single person. Even though you are still married, you will then each receive an AOW pension based on 70% of the net minimum wage.

It may seem a good idea to have your AOW pensions converted to pensions at the rate for a single person, because you and your partner will receive more. However, there are also possible disadvantages to be considered. (See below).

Disadavantages to getting an AOW pension at the rate for a single person

Not everyone will benefit from getting an AOW pension at the rate for a single person.

• You will probably have to pay more tax.
• Your partner will have to pay a much higher contribution under the National Act on Exceptional Medical Expenses (AWBZ). The amount of this contribution is established by the Central Administration Office (CAK).
• You may receive less health care allowance or housing benefit.
• If you receive a company pension, that may also be affected.

• if one partner dies, the surviving partner will normally not be entitled to an AOW death grant. 

We advise you to contact the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst), the CAK, and your pension fund, if applicable, before deciding whether to have your pensions converted.

If you decide to keep your AOW pension at the rate for a married person, you do not have to take any action. If you opt for a pension at the rate for a single person, we will process your claim as soon as we receive it.

NB: If you have opted for a pension at the rate for a single person, it cannot be changed back into a pension at the rate for a married person for as long as your partner stays in the nursing home.