The international organisation I work for has a social security scheme that applies to my partner. How does this affect their social security situation?
If you work for an international organisation, the seat agreement between the organisation and the Dutch government will state whether you partner is covered by the international organisation’s scheme and is excluded from the Dutch social security system. If that is the case, and your partner does not work in the Netherlands or receive Dutch benefit, the Dutch social security system does not apply to them.
What happens if the Dutch social security system does not apply to your partner?
If the Dutch social security system does not apply to your partner:
- Your partner will not build up any state old age pension rights (AOW). If your partner was previously insured under the Dutch system, they keep the old age pension rights they have built up so far.
- Your partner is not insured for medical costs under the Dutch Healthcare Insurance Act (ZVW) or the Chronic Care Act (WLZ).
Your employer’s social security scheme states what insurance coverage applies to your partner. It is usually only health insurance, not insurance for pension or other benefits.
Voluntary insurance under the Dutch system
Under certain conditions your partner can take out insurance voluntarily under the following Dutch social security schemes:
- the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW);
- the Surviving Dependants Act (ANW) (a benefit for you and your children in the event of your partner’s death).
The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) can inform your about the conditions.
Your partner cannot take out voluntary insurance under the Healthcare Insurance Act (ZVW) or the Chronic Care Act (WLZ). They can, under certain conditions, take out supplementary private healthcare insurance.