Samen een huis kopen in Nederland

As a ZZP’er or small business owner you do not build a workplace pension automatically, so you arrange your own, often through a lijfrente (annuity) or other tax-friendly savings. Planning this early helps close the gap between your AOW and the income you will want later in life. The amount you can set aside with tax benefit depends on your pension gap (jaarruimte).

A lijfrente (annuity) is a private pension product where you build up capital, often with tax advantages, that later pays out a regular income. It is popular with people who have a pension gap (pensioengat), such as the self-employed, to supplement their AOW and any workplace pension. The contributions can often be deducted within annual limits.

Yes, the equity (overwaarde) built up in your home can play a role in retirement, for example by releasing equity (overwaarde opnemen), downsizing, or using a paid-off home to lower your living costs later. The best approach depends on your wider financial and pension picture. Because releasing equity raises your mortgage, the long-term effect is worth weighing.

If you leave the Netherlands your accrued AOW and workplace pension generally remain yours and are usually paid out once you reach pension age, even when you live abroad. The exact rules depend on tax treaties and your pension provider, so it is worth checking your entitlements before you move on. Keeping your details up to date ensures the pension reaches you later.

De AOW (Algemene Ouderdomswet) is het Nederlandse staatspensioen dat een basisinkomen vanaf de pensioenleeftijd geeft. Je bouwt AOW-rechten op voor elk jaar dat je in Nederland woont of werkt, dus aankomen als migrant betekent een percentage opbouwen, niet een volledig pensioen. Vrijwillige premies kunnen soms gaten in de opbouw dichten.