Divorce or separation

You are retired and are getting divorced or are separating. What do you need to arrange as regards your pension benefit?

You were married or in a registered partnership
Divorce or separation can affect your pension.

• Were you already married or in a registered partnership before you retired?
  In that case, the law states that your partner is entitled to half of your retirement pension that was accrued up until the divorce. That is called pension equalisation. You and your partner may also make alternative arrangements. These must be documented in your prenuptial agreement, partnership terms or divorce agreement.
• Were you not yet married or in a registered partnership before you retired?
  Divorce or separation will then have no effect on your pension benefit.

If you wish to equalize your pension, you must contact the pension fund within 2 years of divorcing or separating. Have you and your partner made other arrangements? Let the pension fund know in good time. Read more about Divorce or separation.

You were cohabiting
Your pension benefit will not change.

• Were you already cohabiting before you retired?
  Your ex-partner will be entitled to a special partner’s pension if you die. You and your partner may have agreed something different.
• Were you not yet cohabiting before your retirement date?
  The partner’s pension does not apply if you started cohabiting after your retirement date. When you die, your ex-partner will not be entitled to either partner’s pension or special partner’s pension.

Your state pension
If both of you receive state pension (AOW), the amount of this benefit may change. Read more about Dutch state pension on the site of the Social Insurance Bank: SVB.nl.