Some 80% of the country’s pensioners have money worries and want the cabinet to cut healthcare contributions and relax company pension rules to boost their incomes, according to a survey by lobby group ANBO.

The results have been launched to coincide with the start of cabinet negotiations to finalise next year’s spending plans, which will be presented to the public in mid September.

The drop in pensioners’ spending power is considered to be a key issue in the negotiations. Next year, workers are facing a 1.1% rise in spending power but pensions are expected to get a 0.7% cut.

The ruling coalition, made up of the right wing VVD and the Labour party, has pledged to boost spending power for the over 65s but have not yet indicated how ministers plan to do this.

A rise in the state pension is unlikely because this will also benefit well-off pensioners and there is insufficient support in parliament, the AD said.