Survivors' pension provides financial support to your partner and children after your death. This is often part of pension schemes, but the conditions and coverage can vary significantly.
What is survivors' pension?
Survivors' pension is a benefit intended for your family members after your death. It has two main variants:
- Partner pension: a monthly benefit for your partner
- Orphan's pension: a financial contribution for your children
Different forms of survivors' pension
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Accrual system | A portion of the partner pension is accrued annually |
| Risk scheme | Coverage applies only during your employment (no accrual) |
| Capital payout | A one-time lump sum instead of periodic payments |
What is the amount of partner pension?
The benefit depends on your specific pension scheme:
- Often around 70% of your old-age pension
- In some cases 50% or another percentage
- Consult your pension overview for the exact figures
Details on orphan's pension
Orphan's pension supports children up to a certain age limit:
- Usually until 18 or 21 years
- In case of continued study, sometimes until 27 years
- Typically 14-20% of the old-age pension per child
Help and advice in Rijswijk
For questions about survivors' pension, you can go to the Legal Counter Rijswijk. They offer free advice on legal issues surrounding pensions and survivors' arrangements. In addition, Rijswijk falls under the District Court of The Hague for any legal disputes regarding pension benefits.
Frequently asked questions about survivors' pension
Will my partner receive survivors' pension if we are not officially married?
In many cases yes, but you often need to explicitly register your partner with the pension fund. Check the specific rules of your scheme.
Does the pension stop if my partner enters a new relationship?
With most funds, the benefit continues, but this varies per scheme. Check the conditions carefully.
What if my scheme does not provide survivors' pension?
Your partner may be eligible for the government's Anw benefit, provided the criteria are met.
Extra questions and answers
How do I know if I am entitled to survivors' pension?
Check your annual pension overview or log in to MijnPensioenoverzicht.nl with your DigiD. Here you can see if you have a scheme, what form (accrual or risk), and what the estimated benefit is. Contact your pension fund or employer if in doubt.
Do my children automatically receive orphan's pension?
This is not always the case. The benefit depends on an active pension scheme at the time of death. Age limits are often 18 or 21 years, with extension to 27 years for study. Check your regulations for details.
What happens with a new job?
When switching careers, you often start a new pension scheme with your new employer. The old pension remains, but may decrease in value due to inflation. Value transfer is sometimes possible; ask your new fund for advice.