> PENSION APPLICATION
Are you applying for a pension? You can now do so digitally too
Until now, a pension application was always made on paper. As of this summer, you will also be able to apply for your pension digitally, via My Koopvaardij.
Previously, you received a hardcopy application form from Bpf Koopvaardij when you were about to retire. As of this summer, you can apply for your pension digitally via My Koopvaardij at www.koopvaardij.nl/en. The digital application will also be available in English. Not everyone will be able to use it right away. For instance, members and former members who live outside the Netherlands will have to rely on hardcopy for the time being. Good to know: applying for a pension by post is still possible.
Hoe does it work? You log in to My Koopvaardij and start a pension calculation. That part is not new, but it is the important first step of a digital application. You can choose when you want to retire – between the ages of 55 and 70 – and immediately see the effect of that choice on your monthly income. You can also choose whether you want to see that amount net per month or gross per year. And with or without Dutch state pension. If you will not receive the full state pension, for example because you lived abroad, you can also enter that so that the calculation provides a better insight. The partner’s pension is also included in the calculation. You and your partner can decide on the amount. The adjusted occupational retirement pension is then displayed immediately on the basis of that choice. Once you have gone through all the steps, you will get an overview with all the choices and amounts set out. What is new is that after this calculation, you can then make the application digitally. You will receive a confirmation of receipt and after a few weeks you will receive a letter via My Koopvaardij with the gross and net amounts.
What are the advantages of digital application? The big advantage is convenience. You can push the buttons yourself and you will immediately see the consequences for your income. If you prefer to stop working before your state pension date, you can immediately see the effect this has on your pension. A high-low pension? You can see online what your income will be. In short, you can calculate many scenarios online and keep going until you have a variant that meets your needs. Also convenient: you can save or print a total of five variants, so that you can discuss them with your financial advisor, for example. You can continue with it later. You can then apply for the variant of your choice digitally. That is faster than by post.
I still can't work it out, what now?
The Service Desk will be happy to advise and assist you. You can reach the Service Desk at servicedesk@koopvaardij.nl or via telephone number +31 (0)88 007 98 99. At www.koopvaardij.nl/en you can also find a lot of information on the different pension choices. Can I also apply for a pension by post? Yes, it is still possible to apply for a pension by post. ←