General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW)

AOW is a general compulsory insurance scheme covering the entire population. It provides a guaranteed income based on the net minimum wage for those who have reached AOW entitlement age. The amounts differ according to household situation. Singles, single parents and married couples receive different benefit amounts. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) is responsible for the execution.
The AOW age is the age at which a person is entitled to AOW. Until 2013 people were eligible to AOW from the day they turned 65. On 1 January 2013, the AOW age was raised to 65 years and one month. In the years to come, the AOW entitlement age will be raised further step by step. In 2019, the AOW age will be 66 and 2023 it will be 67. As from 2024, the AOW age will be linked to life expectancy developments. The current government has agreed to step up the pace after 2015. The Dutch Lower and Upper Chamber have as yet not approved the government plan.

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