this is typical VVD (read Romney and Republican) politics - cut the services and benefits of the most vulnerable and poorest and least educated people and reward the people that are already doing well and do not really need rewards or extra's ('Other groups of pensioners will benefit fully from the compensation payments'). Is this how a fair social caring society operates?

In my case, 9 years short, = -18% :(
(not my fault & unable to do anything about this unfair law, from 15 years, ridiculous!)

To be treated in NL like a senior citizen in a developing country? Next they'll be telling us to visit the free euthanasia clinic :(

Too many greedy little pigs in power, that also applies to the EU.

'Don't need any religion to know right from wrong do we?

why not just give them supermarket vouchers to cover thr drop in spending power?

bit strange that the Dutch retirees have to call in the human rights council to address their rights issues with their own government, don't you think?

No I don't know how much I will be getting, but I am sure I will find out in time. It would be nice if they (human rights council) lived one month on what we get to see what it's like before they go cutting the state pension.

Considering that I only moved here when I was in my mid-40s, it might only be the price of a cup of coffee...

Auto - have you seen a dutch supermarket? You can't buy clothes, you can't pay your city taxes there, you can't buy any utilities, health insurance, or white goods that need replacing though wear and tear: and they don't provide housing either. Supermarkets here sell only food.

The elderly need more than food to live on, unless you suggest they burn the vegetables for heating then live in the cardboard box.

The elderly deserve dignity - please, never become a politician.

for those, like me, who have come to NL after 15 years of age (in my case at 26), you can make an integrative savings contribution (which is free of tax) to cover the difference so that you get a full pension when it is time. I think part of "being social" is also being able to plan one's own future in a given context and it is one's responsibility to become aware of the context where one has chosen to live. If you save nothing you will have nothing. Sorry for the harsh words, but a social state need not be a paternalistic state where individual responsibility is not importatn any more.

@Osita: the idea of food vouchers implies that the money saved can be used on other needs not thrown out of the window. Or were you thinking that if one gets food for free becuase s/he is poor (which is his/her right, in my view), then s/he has simply more money for leisure only?

Yep, and the future is just so damned predictable, isn't it, the_expat? How exactly does one plan for divorce or death or sickness or job loss or finding yourself raising kids by yourself or or or or or...?

We aren't all "highly skilled" university trained people. And we shouldn't be. I mean, who'll keep your executive office clean and shiny? Serve your coffee? Check through your groceries? Take your order at your posh restaurant?

I wish some expats would get out of their privileged little bubbles, get to know some real people and stop assuming they know it all because the IND thinks they're "special"...for now...

@CW: I have no idea what you are talking about. I hope you realize that sickness, divorce etc. can also happen to who lives in NL since age 15, not only to expats who come here later. You don't need to be "highly skilled" to understand that you can integrate your pension if you came here at an older age. My best friend who has no "education" and came here to do unskilled labour has done it. So what are you talking about? I am not in a priviliged bubble at all (I wish). I am very liberal and social but I believe in individual responsibility too- for rich and poor. Can you tell me what's wront on that?

the_expat: I understand your point, and also what CW is talking about. Not everyone is able to save money for their retirement, you realize that don't you? On the other hand, I am a big fan of personal responsibilty and taking control of one's future, but not all people are able to do that. Some people may be better at caring for old people in their community for example, they may not have the IQ even to do bigger things in their life.
CW: you should watch the film 'Fight Club', great film, great scene in there about the 'lower class' rising up with Brad Pitt as a waiter ;)

Thank you B for you considerate and intelligent remark. I agree.

Expat: Point taken, but for many elderly, they would see such a thing as charity and refuse it as an affront.

Having worked all their lives, they should not be put onto any 'scheme' that deprives them of their dignity. Most of the pensioners in the UK who can get severe weather allowance in winter to help with extra heating bills don't claim it!

There has to be a system that allows them to have a livable income and to spend it as they will, as they always did.

Pensioners will hurt badly, with the proposed €440 paycut - governments who invest in scams like Icelandic banks/Facebook flotations should NOT be stealing from the elderly and vulnerable to balance books.

the_expat, has your life been that predictable? I spent most of my adult life raising a child by myself with no child support while working part-time jobs and attending university, for example. Not everybody graduates at 25 and works full-time for the next 40 years.

Many people my age and up also discovered that the comfortable retirement they had expected is a pipe-dream...too late to do much about it.

If you can predict the quality of your life at the age of 65, bottle that talent and sell it, seriously. Meanwhile, I'll just work until I drop dead...the only responsible option left to me.

Thanks, B. I haven't seen Fight Club...I'll check it out!

I have made Dutch pension contributions since 2001. Up to then I paid in my home country, so when the time comes I can claim both. If I want I can transfer my UK contributions into my dutch pension fund. I don't see what you're all getting so worked up about.
Low payments are only a problem for those who came from poorer countries & had no adequate coverage before their arrival.
For the rest of us it shouldn't be a problem so long as the financial markets perform adequately.