DutchNews.nl - Pension age to rise in stages from next year, as senate votes yes

The Dutch state pension age is to increase in stages to 66 by 2019 and then go up to 67 in 2023, now new legislation has been approved by both houses of parliament.

The senate voted on Tuesday night in favour of the change, despite fears the introduction of the new law has been too hasty and some people will miss out financially.

The increase is part of a package of austerity measures agreed by a five-party coalition in April after the government collapsed. The Labour party, Socialists and anti-immigration PVV voted against the rise.

For the next three years, the state pension age will rise by one month. After that it will go up in two month stages and finally in 2019 to 66.

Social affairs minister Henk Kamp has agreed to look at ways to soften the blow for people on early retirement schemes who will have to bridge the gap between the end of their pre-pension and start of state benefits.

He described the approval of the legislation as 'an historic decision'. The state pension (AOW) age has been 65 since 1957.

Pension funds have already warned the changes are being introduced too quickly, giving them little time to prepare.

Do you support the increase in the state pension age? Have your say using the comment form below.

Readers' Comments

I don't think it is a question of support. We have to put up with the fact that our population gets older. In order to sustain the pension system, we need to increase the pension age. Alternatively, we could stop investing money in pharmaceutical products that let people live longer. Obviously, this idea is not that humane. Although, in my opinion, it would be beneficial to discuss.

By Hollander | 11 July 2012 9:49 AM

It is time to raise the retirement age. Since 1957 the life expectancy of the Dutch increased by more than 14 years, which is obviously problematic (you can't have a society where people are increasingly older working only half of their lives from 25-65).

By Andre L. | 11 July 2012 11:41 AM

Reading the above comments i think they are young people and know nothing of the working enviroment. By the time i retire in 4 years time i will have been working 50 yrs is that not enough ??? and that as been fulltime and taking care of the house a husband and a child . So how dare Andre say only working half of our lives.
Let the young one's take the jobs and the older people sit back and relax. ( for a change ).

By Older worker. | 11 July 2012 10:26 PM

I do not support lifting the retirement age, we should consider all other options and stop wasting tax payers money first! Why do we give cash to the EU, aid, refugees etc if we can't look after our old people who have paid taxes all there life?

By Phil | 12 July 2012 10:34 AM