When Do I Get State Pension (AOW)?

The Short Answer

You will receive state pension (AOW) starting from your 67th birthday, provided that you are living in the Netherlands or have lived in the Netherlands at that time. The state pension (AOW) age is re-determined by the government every five years. Until 2024, the state pension (AOW) age will remain 67 years. After that, it may increase if life expectancy increases. You can check your exact state pension (AOW) start date on MijnPensioen.nl.

What Does the Law Say?

The state pension (AOW) is regulated by the General Old Age Pensions Act (Algemene Ouderdomswet or AOW). This law stipulates that everyone who lives or has lived in the Netherlands is entitled to state pension (AOW) from the state pension (AOW) age. For each year you have lived in the Netherlands between the ages of 15 and 65, you build up 2% of state pension (AOW) entitlement. After 50 years, you will receive 100% of the state pension (AOW) benefit.

What Should You Pay Attention To?

Note that the state pension (AOW) age may increase in the future. It is also important to know that your state pension (AOW) entitlement depends on the number of years you have lived in the Netherlands. If you live abroad, this may have consequences for your state pension (AOW) payment.

Practical Example

Jan was born in 1957 and turns 67 this year. He has lived and worked in the Netherlands his entire working life. Jan will receive the full state pension (AOW) payment from his 67th birthday. Marie, on the other hand, has lived abroad for 10 years and will therefore receive only 80% of the full state pension (AOW) payment. Both applications will be handled automatically by the SVB a few months before their 67th birthday.

What Can You Do?

Take these steps to understand your state pension (AOW) situation: