Would you like to work fewer hours? Consider your pension

Are you considering working fewer hours? For example to spend more time on family, health or personal goals. If so, it’s also important to think about the consequences for your pension. Because working fewer hours means earning a lower salary, and therefore a lower pension. Or perhaps you’re considering a part-time pension?
All of this affects your income later and the plans you have for that stage of life.

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What changes? What can you do? Reducing your hours Part-time pension Pension planner

What changes when you work fewer hours?

👉 You accrue less pension, because it is calculated based on your salary.

👉 Your partner’s pension and orphan’s pension (if you pass away) will also be lower.

👉 If you can no longer work, your disability pension will be lower.

👉 Your state pension (AOW) stays the same – it does not depend on your working hours.

What can you do?

✅ Check in My PDN Pension how your own pension, and that of your partner and children, will change if you work fewer hours.

✅Consider whether you need to make additional arrangements for yourself and your partner/children.

✅ Weigh the benefits of more free time against the financial consequences.
That way, you know exactly where you stand – now and later.

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Reducing your hours: advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

✅ More time for yourself, hobbies, family

✅ Less stress, better health

✅ Possibly more entitlement to income-dependent government support

Disadvantages

❌ Lower income

❌ Less pension later

❌ Lower partner’s pension and orphan’s pension

❌ Lower disability pension

Maybe part-time pension suits you

From 10 years before your State Pension Age (AOW age, from around age 57), you can also choose to work fewer hours by opting for a partial retirement: working a few days a week and enjoying more free time the rest of the week. This can help you find a balance between the best of both worlds and gradually transition into full retirement.

If you work fewer hours, your salary will also decrease. You can (partially) compensate for this by letting part of your pension start early, this is called a part-time pension. If you would like to know whether this is right for you, take a look at the advantages and disadvantages below.

If you want to enjoy a part-time pension, request it three to six months before you reduce your working hours.

Part-time pension: advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

  • You can enjoy more free time earlier, while still staying active at work
  • You can (partially) compensate for the drop in income with your pension. If your income still decreases, you may be entitled to allowances or more allowances from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst).

Disadvantages

  • The part of your pension that starts early will be lower.
  • If you are enjoying your part-time pension and later become unemployed or disabled, the UWV will calculate your benefit based on your lower part-time salary. In addition, the disability pension that you may receive from us is based on your part-time percentage and will therefore be lower.
  • If you receive an unemployment benefit later, the UWV will reduce your unemployment benefit by the amount of the part-time pension that has already started.

Would you like to know how your choices affect your pension income?

Log in to My PDN Pension and check the pension planner.

mijn.pdnpensioen.nl

Unsure about your options?

Don’t hesitate to contact our Pension Desk. They can help you get everything clear so you can make the choice that best suits you.

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