Health insurers in the Netherlands: pension – De Unie

In this message we inform you about the outcome of the pension discussions between the trade unions and employers affiliated with Zorgverzekeraars Nederland (ZN).

Retirement process

In the autumn of 2021, ZN, De Unie and the other unions started discussions about a new pension scheme. Pension fund SBZ, pension consultancy firm AON and Ortec’s accountants helped social partners with calculations and providing support.

After many conversations and long negotiations, we have now reached an agreement. It was not unimportant that the House of Representatives and the House of Representatives actually finally approved the new Pension Act (WtP) in 2023.

Brochure

To provide insight into what we have agreed, a brochure has been created with an explanation of the agreements made. In it we answer the following obvious questions:

• What remains the same?
• What will the pension scheme look like from July 1, 2026?
• What happens to the pension that you have accrued until July 1, 2026?
• How is this going to continue?

All information about the new pension scheme is described in detail in the legally required Transition Plan for the affiliated health insurers of ZN.

Voting and follow-up

Now that we have completed negotiations on a new pension scheme, I am curious to hear your opinion. We are positive about it and will put it to the vote of the members with a Complete membership. They can vote until Tuesday May 14, 2024. We will then share the results of the vote at De Unie and the other parties with you.

We ask members who are currently dormant or retired for advice on transferring the assets of the pension fund from the current scheme to the new pension scheme (entry).

Once the members have approved and the SBZ pension fund has also approved, the Dutch Bank will also look into it. If this is all in order, the SBZ pension fund will have the new scheme entered into the systems so that your pension can be administered properly as of July 1, 2026.

Pension information

More information about pensions can be found on the Home | website Pension clarity. This is an initiative of trade unions, employers’ organizations, pension providers and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The aim is to provide reliable information about the pension system. More information about your current pension can be found on the SBZ pension fund website. If you have any questions about your pension, you can ask them via Contact (sbzpensioen.nl). Of course you will also find information on the De Unie website https://www.unie.nl/jouw-werk-en-income/jouw-werk-en-income-pensioen and as a Union member you can get advice about it or ask your question to us.

Contact

If you would like to respond to this newsletter or would like to be contacted about a collective case, it is best to contact the advocate Emanuel Geurts via [email protected] or by telephone on 06-5252 2074. For individual advice you can contact the Service Center department via 0345-851 963, via email [email protected] or the chat function on www.unie.nl. We are happy to help you!