The five largest Dutch pension funds increase pension payments
Retirees from the five largest pension funds in the Netherlands will see an increase in their benefits this year, thanks to strong financial health driven by rising interest rates. This positive outlook means that these funds can increase pension payments, as reported by NOS and ANP.
All five funds reported that their funding ratios exceeded 100 percent in the previous year, indicating that they have sufficient assets to meet current and future pension obligations. Higher funding ratios allow these funds the necessary flexibility to enhance pension payments.
Among these funds, the PFZW fund stands out, serving workers in the healthcare and social welfare sector, where pensions will increase by approximately 12 percent. The effects of this increase will continue in the coming months, as participants will receive messages detailing the final results. The funding ratio of PFZW has significantly increased from 109.8 percent at the beginning of 2025 to 125.7 percent by the end of the year.
PFZW has also transitioned to a new pension system this year, changing the way pensions are calculated. The fund's chair, Joan Kellyman, said: "We understand that this is a stressful time for fund participants and retirees." "Everyone has to move from a familiar system to a new one that still needs to prove its reliability."
The ABP government employees' fund intends to increase pension payments by 2.8 percent, as its funding ratio rose from 111.7 percent at the end of 2024 to 123.5 percent by the end of 2025. Similarly, the PME pension fund for the metal and electronics industry will also raise pensions by at least 2.8 percent, as its funding ratio improved from 113 percent to 125.3 percent. Meanwhile, both the PMT metal fund and the bpfBouw construction fund will increase pension payments, although specific amounts have not yet been announced. The funding ratio of PMT rose from 108.4 percent to 122.5 percent, while bpfBouw reached 141 percent after successfully transitioning to the new pension system this year, as reported by the board.