Talks between ministers, unions and employers on Tuesday evening about pension savings ended in deadlock.

The government wants to reduce the amount workers can put tax free into corporate pension schemes from 2.25% of their gross salary to 1.85%, a move they say will generate €3bn in extra tax.

But opposition parties, pension experts and the Council of State have criticised the plan, saying it will be impossible for youngsters to build up a proper pension.

Future pensions

During Tuesday evening’s talks, the CNV trade union federation said it is up to MPs to convince the government to make more money available, the Nos reports.

The FNV union said it wants the tax free sum to be no lower than 2% ‘so youngsters can build a respectable pension in the future’, according to the Nos.

On Tuesday evening it also emerged that MPs in the coalition parties Liberal VVD and Labour still have doubts about the plan.

Ministers wanted support for the plan from union and industry leaders to head off potential industrial action.