What is AOW pension?
AOW pension is the Dutch basic state pension. If you have lived or worked in the Netherlands, you will have been insured under the AOW pension scheme. In that case, you can get an AOW pension when you reach your AOW pension age.
See the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about AOW pension
If you have always lived or worked in the Netherlands, you will get a full AOW pension at the rate applicable to you. Your AOW pension rate depends on your living situation, i.e. whether you live alone or with another adult.
If you have lived outside the Netherlands, this could affect your AOW pension. You may not have built up a full AOW pension, in which case you will receive a lower AOW pension amount.
Your AOW pension age depends on your date of birth. You can find out your AOW pension age by using the calculation tool on this website.
AOW pension payments are made on or around the 23rd of the month. If this date is a Saturday, Sunday or national holiday, the payment is usually made earlier. The exact time the money is credited to your account will depend on your bank. If you have an account outside the Netherlands, it may take longer for you to receive our payments in your account. This will depend, for example, on your bank or the country where you live.
The amount of your holiday allowance depends on your personal situation. You build up a fixed amount of holiday allowance every month. This is not 8% of the AOW pension you have built up. Holiday allowance is calculated based on the holiday allowance payable for minimum wage . If you log in to My SVB, you can see how much holiday allowance you will get.
If you live in the Netherlands, you will receive a letter from us explaining how to claim your AOW pension about 4 months before you reach your AOW pension age. You cannot submit a claim before you receive our letter. If you live outside the Netherlands, you can claim an AOW pension through the pension institution in your country of residence or the last country where you were covered by state pension insurance.
You can view your annual statement in My SVB as from 4 January. In January, your annual statement will also be sent to your home address or your digital Message Box (Berichtenbox) . If you live outside the Netherlands, your annual statement will be sent later. If your partner also receives an AOW pension, your annual statements may arrive on different days.