Future Pensions Act: Key employer insights

December 2025

Effective July 1, 2023, the Future Pensions Act (Wet Toekomst Pensioenen) came into force in the Netherlands. Employers must align their pension schemes with the new rules by January 1, 2027. A legislative proposal (Bill 36578) currently under Senate review, aims to extend this deadline to January 1, 2028 - a change widely expected to pass, though not yet law.

This reform brings both challenges and opportunities. It fundamentally reshapes how pensions are accrued, communicated, and managed—impacting employers, employees, and the way retirement planning is approached.

All new pension accruals must now follow a defined contribution (DC) model. The final pension benefit depends on the amount contributed and the investment returns achieved - guarantees are only possible if explicitly purchased. This marks the end of traditional defined benefit (DB) and average pay schemes, introducing a more transparent but market-dependent system.

The contribution structure has shifted from age-related to a flat-rate contribution for all participants. A maximum of 30% of pensionable salary applies. This simplifies administration and improves transparency.

Employers may apply transitional protection for employees already in service at the time of the switch. This exception allows the continuation of progressive, age-related contribution rates for these employees - even beyond 2028.

The AOW (state pension) age will remain at 67 through 2027 and increase to 67 years and 3 months in 2028. The occupational pension target age stays at 68, which may create a gap between the start dates of state and occupational pensions.

How a.s.r. can help: With a.s.r.’s personal retirement age option, employees can choose their preferred retirement date. Investments and interest rate hedging are then adjusted to align with that choice, tailoring risk management to individual needs.

This long-awaited proposal will allow retirees to withdraw up to 10% of their pension capital as a lump sum at retirement. This option can be exercised immediately upon the retirement date.

The bill is still pending Senate approval, and the effective date is still uncertain.

How a.s.r. can help: a.s.r. is enhancing its employee portal to make this process simple and transparent. Employees will be able to indicate when and how much they wish to withdraw and request personalized calculations.

The survivors’ pension is now risk-based and no longer linked to years of service. Key features include:

• Partner’s pension: Up to 50% of salary
• Orphan’s pension: Up to 20% of salary (or 40% for double orphans), payable until age 25
• Coverage ends shortly after employment ends (typically 3–6 months or during unemployment or sickness benefits), unless continued voluntarily

Any survivors’ pension accrued under the old system remains intact.

Your pension scheme must comply with the new defined contribution (DC) framework by January 1, 2027. A proposed extension to January 1, 2028 is under Senate review and widely expected to pass.

Under DC schemes, employees have more control over their pension, including:

• Investment strategy
• Lump sum withdrawal
• Flexible retirement age

Employees need clear information about:

• Their available choices
• Changes to survivors’ benefits
• Their overall financial outlook

How a.s.r. supports you: Tools like https://ikdenkvooruit.nl help employees gain insight into their financial future in just 10 minutes.

• Extension of Transition Period (Wetsvoorstel verlenging transitieperiode toekomst Pensioenen): Moves the deadline to January 1, 2028 and allows future changes via General Administrative Orders (AMvB).
• Technical Amendments (Wetsvoorstel toezeggingen pensioenonderwerpen): Includes voluntary continuation of orphan’s pension and extended disability-related transitional rights.
• Lump Sum Withdrawal Bill (Wetsvoorstel herziening Bedrag ineens): Enables a one-time withdrawal of up to 10% of pension capital. Earliest effective date: July 1, 2026, pending Senate approval.

The Future Pensions Act is more than a compliance exercise - it’s an opportunity to modernize your pension offering and empower employees with greater flexibility and transparency.

Are you ready for the transition? Partner with a.s.r. for expert guidance, simple DC solutions, and tools that make communication easy.