DutchNews.nl - Pension age increase finally agreed

The state pension age will go up in two stages, from 65 to 66 in 2020 and then again to 67 in 2026, ministers have finally agreed.

The hikes will not be phased in, but people will still be able to retire at 65 in return for a lower pension.

To lessen the blow for people doing 'heavy work', ministers have also agreed to amend health and safety legislation to force employers to find them alternative tasks after 30 years. As yet, the concept of heavy work has not been defined.

Nor is it clear if the 50 year residency requirement to qualify for a full state pension will be changed. To qualify for a full pension, someone must have been resident in the Netherlands from the age of 15 to 65. Each missing year leads to a 2% cut in pension rights.

The decision ends months of debate about how to increase the state and corporate pension age. Ministers say the move is necessary to offset the greying of the population and cut the budget deficit by some €4bn a year.

The state pension age of 65 was introduced in 1957 when people were expected to live into their early 70s.

According to figures released by the national statistics office CBS earlier this week, only 18% of women and 38% of men who are aged 60 to 65 have a job. Many have taken advantage of early retirement schemes, introduced in the 1980s to combat high youth unemployment.

Socialist party leader Agnes Kant described the planned changes as 'pension theft' while the Liberal VVD said it was 'too little, too late and too complicated'.

Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam party PVV was reported by the Volkskrant as saying the decision was shameful. 'We want to keep the AOW and we can do that if we stop immigration from Muslim countries,' Wilders said.

The plans must now be incorporated into draft legislation and voted on by MPs before it becomes law.

When will Holland start to get people who do not work (over 50, women, etc.) working and paying taxes, rather than hassle the people who do work and pay taxes???

I know so many people here who have never worked, work part time, or stop working very early, and they are sucking the system and making it harder for everyone.

As a foreigner in Holland, I have little to no hope for a pension, so am outside the fray of this discussion for personal reasons.

WAKE UP HOLLAND. Get the people who can work working, rather than burden those who do even more!

By Quest | October 17, 2009 4:09 AM

GOD has given as 70 years and if you are
luky can also live for few years more.
Please why I we worrying ourself with all
these new charnges?

By original Boboo | October 17, 2009 7:30 PM

If the Dutch aren't having enough children to pay for their pensioners, then allowing more immigrants in in will help. Come on, Mr. Wilders, immigration is helping this issue, not hindering it.

By expat | October 19, 2009 11:08 AM

Quest - I totally agree!
My heart breaks for the people who have worked all their lives and told they will have to work another 2 - 3 years! I know from my father he really struggled to the 65 mark as a livestock officer. 65 seems really old to me! I can't imagine being a software developer till the age of 65!!!

By Karen | October 19, 2009 6:46 PM