In the new scheme, something changes in the rules for partner's and orphan's pension. You can read here what will be different.
When are you a partner?
Your partner is the person you are married to or in a registered partnership. From 1 January 2026, you will also have a partner if you live together without being married. You do not need to have a cohabitation contract with the notary, but you do need to have a joint household. You can show this, for example, with a rental or purchase contract from you together. Your partner is then entitled to a partner's pension if you die.
In this video we explain the situation with the survivor's pension. Click on the image to start the video.
*The letter with the first calculation shows an even lower percentage (30% and 12%) than in this animation. We have been able to increase this percentage.
Do you die before your retirement date?
This is the case with the pension you accrued before 1 January 2026
We will pay the pension you accrued before 1 January 2026 to your partner (with whom you are married or in a registered partnership) and to your children (up to the age of 18). They receive a survivor's pension every month. If you do not have a cohabitation contract with your partner or if your child is older than 18 when you die, they are not entitled to the pension that you accrued before 1 January 2026.
Pension that you accrue from 1 January 2026
From 1 January 2026, things will work differently. Then we no longer look at the accrued pension. Then survivor's pension is insured on a risk basis: as long as you accrue pension (and therefore pay contributions), your partner and children are co-insured for survivor's pension. If you die, your partner will receive 35%* of your last earned salary. Every year as long as your partner lives. For your children, this is 15%* of your average salary for that year. In the new scheme, children receive an orphan's pension until they reach the age of 25. If the orphan's pension has started in the current scheme, they will receive the benefit until they reach the age of 18.
Will you die if you no longer accrue pension? Then your partner and children will not receive a survivor's pension. In the new scheme, the survivor's pension will be variable: just like your retirement pension, it moves with the economy.
*The letter with the first calculation states an even lower percentage (30% and 12%). We have been able to increase this percentage.
Do you die after your retirement date?
When you retire, you choose whether you want to use part of your pension for a survivor's pension for your partner and children. Do you choose that? Then your partner will receive a monthly partner's pension if you die for as long as he or she lives.
The partner's pension is variable, just like the retirement pension. This means that this pension moves with the economy every year and depends on investment results, average life expectancy and interest rates. The partner's pension can be higher annually, but also slightly lower.
Your children receive an orphan's pension until they turn 25. This is in the current pension scheme up to the age of 18. The orphan's pension is also variable and moves with the economy every year. The amount of the benefit depends on the investment results, the average life expectancy and the interest rate. The orphan's pension can be higher, but also slightly lower. This is determined every year, so you know what you will receive that year.
Also view the frequently asked questions