Pension question, Netherlands
Can I take out voluntary AOW insurance after leaving the Netherlands?
According to the SVB, voluntary AOW insurance can be taken out by a person who, during the 50-year build-up period, starts living or working outside the Netherlands, applies for voluntary insurance within 1 year of the date on which they start living or working outside the Netherlands, and has not yet reached AOW pension age. The page does not say what happens if you apply after 1 year.
What to do next
- Find the exact date you started living or working outside the Netherlands.
- Count the years you were insured in the Netherlands before you left.
- Run our free check to see the other pensions your working life may have left.
Check your own working life for free
Tell us where you worked. The free check shows which countries may hold a pension for you, and which can be ruled out and why. No sign in, no charge.
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When must the application be made?
Voluntary AOW insurance, which keeps AOW building up while living or working abroad, must be applied for before leaving the Netherlands or within one year after leaving.
Do you give advice on what to do?
No. We identify where a pension is likely held and the official route to it, and we name each source with the date we read it. We do not give financial, tax or legal advice.