Voluntary insurance - What is an Anw benefit?

In the Netherlands, if you lose your partner, you can get a survivor benefit from the Dutch government. This benefit is meant as a contribution towards living expenses. It is paid under the scheme called the National Survivor Benefits Act (Anw).

There are three different Anw benefits: 

• survivor benefit for the surviving partner of the deceased 
• dependent child allowance
• orphan's benefit 

Whether you can get an Anw survivor benefit depends on your age, and on whether you:

• have a child or are disabled for work

• have other income