Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:45:43 +0100 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:45:43 +0100 ContentFeeder 2.0 There are not many people who will be able to explain in detail how pensions work. Among many adults it is an abstract concept that is to be tackled a few decades down the road. I have to admit, I am not an exception. Once in a while, the topic resurfaces. Usually it is a letter from my employer informing me about the current affairs. I often start reading it only to lose interest after finishing the third paragraph. With the nearing elections, pensions and the age of retirement (AOW leeftijd), which is 67 years and three months at the...]]> Fri, 14 Apr 2017 12:03:18 +0200 “Take away the frustration of having to constantly apply to no avail, only to be given the option: no longer available”, said labour sociologist Jan Cremers.

Unemployed older people have difficulty getting a job, partly because they are more expensive for employers than younger people. Arrangements for employers to make hiring the elderly more attractive do not seem to work.

Crisis

Cremers found that elderly people who were out of work during the crises and in the IOW, were in a scheme for unemployed people over sixty who were no longer entitled to unemployment benefits. Then they received 70% of...]]> Sun, 01 May 2016 19:56:18 +0200 Confidence in the Dutch pension and health care system has been badly dented by seniors. This came from a statement made by the elderly union ANBO, after a survey among 1,200 elderly.
Over 70 percent of respondents advised young people to save for their own healthcare services. Similarly, more than 40 percent agreed that young people need to build up their own retirement fund rather than through an employer or the pension fund.

“The respondents are aware of the fact that they have to regulate themselves more and more. They seem to want to advise young people thus: “take matters...]]> Fri, 01 Jan 2016 17:28:44 +0100 Minister Lodewijk Asscher (Social Affairs and Employment) aims to work with employers and employees to agree on more concrete measures to tackle the issue of long-term unemployment in older people, to increase the chance that they can get to work.

Although unemployment has decreased, Asscher believes the the age bracket around the fifties are well behind the national average. He believes that there is a necessity to include a larger number of networking events, job training, and training vouchers.

Asscher believes it is also crucial to change what is thought about older people in the labour market. He wants it...]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:49:31 +0100

The national government is continuing to take action to keep the Algemeen Ouderdomswet (state pension, AOW) affordable. This has implications for older workers and state pension claimants.

From 2016 onwards, the state pension age will increase in increments of three months and up in increments of four months from 2019. From 2022 the state pension age will be linked to life expectancy. You will receive your state pension on the first day you reach the state pension age.

Final retirement age

From 2022, the state pension age depends on the average life expectancy that is calculated by the Het Centraal...]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:07:20 +0100 Unless you work or manage a team where everybody fits the same list of criteria, it is inevitable that you'll encounter various situations of diversity. This will often involve working with mature workers. Most people will begin to interact by communicating with certain expectations and a specific mindset. However, these stereotypes can often be damaging.

The Netherlands, like many other countries in Europe, is faced with the challenge of an ageing population. This has a direct impact on the labour market. According to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the number of people aged over 65, measured in...]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:19:31 +0100
Research undertaken by the Ministry of Interior and Royal Relations has found that there has been a continual drop on civil servants. This has been focused particularly on public administration and by security, as these sectors have shrunk. There are also more women in government, as more elders. Those under twenty five have not been inclined to join the civil service, as they rarely have the experience or meet the job requirements.

Elders
There have been an increase in sixty plus labourers, according to this study. This comes from the various measures taken by the state to promote longer working...]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:20:31 +0200 From next year onwards, it'll become easier for pensioners, those who are applicable to the Algemene Ouderdomswet (Old Age Pensions Act, or AOW), to continue working through contracts, as self-employed or through other employers. At this moment, pensioners who wish to continue working are often doing so through agencies or as freelancers. The Senate (eerste kamer) has approved a bill from Minister Asscher from Social Affairs and Emplyoment on behalf of Minister Van der Steur from security and Justice and Minister Plasterk from the Interior and Royal Relations.

According to the Rijksoverheid, The bill is made to make it more...]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:03:08 +0200 The Dutch political party, Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) is proposing demotion and lower salaries for mature workers to decrease unemployment in this group.

According to the Financieele Dagblad (FD), CDA’s Scientific Institute reported that the elderly tend to have difficulties finding employment, partly because they are more costly than other staff. Demotion is supposed to contribute to reducing unemployment amongst mature workers.

The report highlights that seniors’ employment needs to be brought more in line with those of other workers. Also, Hans de Boer, the chairman of The Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW), advocated demotion at the end...]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:37:30 +0200 It will be easier for pensioners to remain in employment if they wish. At present they often have to work through a temporary employment agency or as a self-employed person after they reach state pension age. The government wants to make it easier for them to continue working under a contract of employment. The easier this is, the longer society can benefit from their experience and know-how. Pensioners can in turn enjoy the benefits of daily activity and additional income.
The cabinet has agreed to a proposal by Minister Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment, Minister Opstelten of Security and...]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:21:11 +0100 What employer does not recognise it? Employees who suddenly come to work unmotivated, who dread a consultation with the manager, who do not or with great difficulty make customer meetings and deadlines. Everyday work situations that employees were previously able to handle that now provide a lot of stress – stress which translates to fatigue, depression that can eventually lead to a burnout. And you don’t know whether this has to do with work or perhaps personal situation of the employee.

Often the involved employee and the employer act only when it is too late. This situation comes with consequences:...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 15:49:15 +0100 Who would not want to change his or her behavior for the better? Quit smoking and or drinking, no longer holding things off, slimming down, more sporting etc. From now on you intend to only do things that are good for you and you will be making good and healthy choices. If it only were so simple!

But as we all know, changing is not an easy thing and it will not come without effort. Good intentions and some discipline will take you a long way. As will a strong focus on your goal. However, many other possible factors may...]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:01:16 +0100