AOW is the name of the state pension in the Netherlands. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands builds up AOW automatically.
AOW stands for ‘Algemene Ouderdomswet’ (‘General Old Age Pensions Act’). It is a basic state pension. AOW is intended to cover your fixed living costs when you stop working. Almost everyone in the Netherlands gets this pension.
You get AOW when you reach your state pension age. This is currently around 67 years. The state pension age may change in future. The government sets the state pension age based on how long people live on average, It does this ensure it can continue to pay pensions to everyone.
AOW is usually not enough to cover all your costs. A supplementary pension will help to do that. In the Netherlands, many people build up AOW and also a pension through their employer. This is called a supplementary pension. Once you have stopped working, your income consists of your AOW and your supplementary pension. You receive them for the rest of your life.
This depends on how many years you have lived or worked in the Netherlands. You build up 2% AOW for every year you live or work in the Netherlands. You are entitled to the full amount of AOW after 50 years in the Netherlands. The later you came to the Netherlands, the fewer years you build up.
The SVB handles AOW-related matters. If you live in the Netherlands, you will automatically receive a letter about four months before you reach your state pension age. This letter explains how you can claim a state pension. If you live outside the Netherlands, you must submit a claim yourself through the SVB website.
In some cases. You must submit a claim yourself through the SVB or a Dutch embassy. The amount you get depends on the number of years you lived or worked in the Netherlands.
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