The international organisation I work for has a social security scheme that applies to me. How does this affect my social security situation?

What happens if the Dutch social security system does not apply to you?

If the Dutch social security system does not apply to you:

• You will not build up any state old age pension (AOW) rights. If you were previously insured under the Dutch system, you keep the old age pension rights you have built up so far.
• You will not be entitled to Dutch unemployment benefit (WW) if you lose your job.
• You will not be entitled to benefit under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA) if you are unfit for work for longer than two years.
• You are not insured for medical costs under the Dutch Healthcare Insurance Act (ZVW) or the Chronic Care Act (WLZ).

The international organisation’s social security scheme states what insurance coverage you have through your employer. It also states what benefits you will receive when you retire or if you are ill.

Is part of your employer’s scheme less advantageous than the Dutch system? Or are some things not covered at all? In that case you could consider taking out voluntary insurance under the Dutch social security system.

Voluntary insurance

You can take out voluntary insurance for the following Dutch schemes:

• the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW);
• the Surviving Dependants Act (ANW) (a benefit for your partner and children in the event of your death);
• the Sickness Benefits Act (a benefit for the first two years you are ill);
• the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA) (a benefit you receive if you are still unfit for work after two years’ illness);
• the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) (a benefit you receive if you lose your job).

If you already have compulsory social security cover in another EU country – unemployment insurance for instance – this may affect whether you can take out voluntary insurance in the Netherlands.

Ask the benefits agency (SVB or UWV) what conditions apply.