> NEW PENSION FILE
Read all or almost everything about the new pension rules here
The Dutch Future Pensions Act [Wet toekomst pensioenen] came into force in 2023. That means there are new rules for pensions. And for you too. Bpf Koopvaardij plans to switch to the new rules on 1 January 2026. You can read all or almost everything about it in this file.
Important agreements
These are the seven most important agreements regarding the new pension rules for everyone who is building up, has built up, or is receiving a pension from Bpf Koopvaardij:
1 Our pension scheme is ready for the future The rules for pensions worked well for years. But that has changed. People are living longer and no longer stay with the same employer for their entire career. If the economy is performing well, pensions cannot always be increased. That feels unfair. That is why the pension system is being renewed. We are keeping what is good. This will allow the pension scheme to be administered properly in the future. Bpf Koopvaardij plans to implement the new pension scheme from 1 January 2026. The scheme as it now stands will then end.
2 The new scheme is a solidarity-based defined contribution scheme
A solidarity-based defined contribution scheme has been chosen for the new pension scheme. In this scheme, you pay a contribution for your personal pension. We still share risks together. Under the new scheme, pensions may increase faster if the economy is favourable. Is the economy is unfavourable, pensions may also fall sooner. Needless to say, we try to avoid this as much as possible. We have a statutorily required buffer. This is called the solidarity reserve. We build up the buffer in favourable times so that we can absorb or mitigate a fall in pension benefits in unfavourable times.
3 A stable pension for now and in the future
Under the new scheme, you will continue to receive your pension for as long as you live, regardless of how old you become. In the current pension scheme, agreements have been made about the amount of your pension. Different agreements apply in the new scheme. These agreements concern how much money (contributions) you and your employer will pay in. We invest this contribution for you. Good to know: the closer you get to your retirement date, the less risk we take with the investments for your pension. This makes your pension more stable. As a result, the risk of your pension being reduced is also small.
4 Your built-up pension will be transferred to the new scheme
We will convert the pension you have built up in the current pension scheme into a pension under the new pension scheme. This also applies to the pensions we already pay out. We accurately calculate the value of your pension. That value will be transferred to the new pension scheme. You will receive an initial calculation from us in the final quarter of 2025.
5 Pensions move in line with the economy, but are becoming more stable for older people
In the new scheme, we will invest your contribution. The returns (earnings) ensure that your pension grows. The new rules mean that your pension may increase faster when the economy is performing well. In less favourable times, it may also decrease. However, such fluctuations will be less if you are retired or nearing retirement. There is an important reason for this: younger workers have more time to absorb any investment setbacks than older workers or pensioners. We invest in different ways. If the stock markets fall sharply, the effect on your pension will therefore be minimal. The closer you get to your retirement age, the less risk we take with the investments for your pension. Good to know: given the pension fund's current financial position, we can immediately replenish the buffer for unforeseen circumstances during the transition. This means that once you retire, you will continue to be protected against unforeseen circumstances, just as you are now.
We are retaining the positive aspects in the new pension rules.
- You will continue to build up your pension via your employer with Bpf Koopvaardij.
- The default retirement age will remain 67.
- The commencement date of your pension will remain flexible.
- From the time you start receiving your pension, you will receive a lifelong pension.
- Your partner and children will receive a pension in the event of your passing.
- You will continue to have the same pension options when you retire.
- We will continue to share risks with each other.
6 Pension for your partner should you pass away
It may not be a nice thing to think about, but what will happen if you pass away? You will want your partner to be able to manage financially. For this purpose, we have a partner's pension in our pension scheme. Your partner will receive this partner's pension every month after your passing.
If you pass away before your retirement date, your partner will receive 25% of the salary on which you are building up your pension for the rest of his or her life. This applies only as long as you work for a merchant navy employer. If you leave our employment and subsequently pass away, your partner will not receive a partner's pension from us. Your partner may, however, receive this through your new employer's pension scheme.
If you pass away after your retirement date, your partner will receive a partner's pension. In principle, this is 70 percent of the occupational retirement pension you are receiving at that time. When you retire, you and your partner can also opt for a different distribution. For example, less partner's pension for your partner and more pension for yourself.
If you have already built up a partner's pension under the current scheme, this pension will remain in place for your partner and will be transferred to the new scheme, even when the new pension scheme comes into effect. It does not matter whether you are still building up pension, have retired or no longer work in the merchant navy. Your partner will receive this built-up partner's pension upon your passing. Do you want to know more about the partner’s pension? If so, turn to this page.
7 Pension for your children should you pass away
Do you have children? If so, they may receive a pension from Bpf Koopvaardij should you pass away. This is referred to as an orphan's pension. Below you can read what they will receive and when they are entitled to it. If you pass away before your retirement date, your children will receive 10% of the salary on which you are building up your pension until they reach the age of 25. This applies only if you work for a merchant navy employer. If you leave employment and subsequently pass away, your children will not receive an orphan's pension from us. They may receive this through your new employer's pension scheme.
If you have already built up an orphan's pension under the current scheme, this pension will remain in place for your children, even when the new pension scheme comes into effect. It does not matter whether you are still building up pension or no longer working in the merchant navy. If you have already retired, this is the pension that your child or children will receive after your passing. They will also receive this part of the orphan's pension until they reach the age of 25.
These three agreements also apply to everyone who is building up a pension with Bpf Koopvaardij:
1 You and your employer both pay for your pension
Every month, you and your employer pay money (contributions) towards your pension and the pension for your surviving dependants. This will remain the case in the new pension scheme. The contribution remains the same at 25.9% of the salary on which you are building up your pension. You and your employer each pay half the contribution.
2 Even if you become occupationally disabled, you will still build up a pension
If you become partially or fully occupationally disabled, you will keep building up pension in the new pension scheme. This is what we call non-contributory pension build-up. How much you can build up on a non-contributory basis depends on the extent of your occupationally disability.
3 You may receive compensation when the pension is converted
As we transition to the new pension scheme, we look closely at the implications. If you are building up a pension (non-contributory or otherwise) and your expected pension under the new scheme will be lower, you may be entitled to a one-off payment to offset the disadvantage (compensation). Whether you are eligible for compensation depends on the assets we have in our fund on 31 December 2025. And if it is possible, we will add it to the pension assets of everyone who is entitled to it.
Step by step towards the new pension
Here you can see the steps we will be taking to implement the new pension scheme. Previous steps can be found at www.koopvaardij.nl/en/new-pension-system/timeline/
3rd and 4th quarters 2025
Regulators assess our plans
The Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) are reviewing our plans for implementing the new pension scheme and how we inform you about the scheme. DNB and AFM are assisting all pension funds in the Netherlands with a careful transition.
3rd quarter 2025
Example amounts
You are probably curious to know what your pension will look like later. That is why we have created calculation examples: your current pension and your future pension side by side. You can find these examples below and at www.koopvaardij.nl/en/3steps.
4th quarter 2025
Preliminary calculation
You will receive an overview from us. This will show an estimate of your pension as of 1 January 2026. You will also see the expected amount of pension for your partner and/or children. Please note: these are provisional amounts.
1st half 2026
Pension conversion
We expect all pensions to be converted to the new pension scheme as of 1 January 2026. Your personal pension will not yet be visible in My Koopvaardij. We will convert all amounts carefully and check them properly. That takes time. This means that the pensions will not yet have been converted on 1 January 2026, but will be converted at a later date.
1st and 2nd quarters 2026
Final calculation
You will receive a second calculation with the final amounts. Here you can see what your pension is in the new pension scheme. View your new pension and log in to My Koopvaardij.
Calculation examples of the new pension
We expect all pensions to be converted to the new scheme from 1 January 2026. For you, of course, the most important question is: how high will my pension be? We don't know exactly at this stage. To give you as much insight as possible, we have prepared six calculation examples. The people these calculations refer to do not actually exist. Please note: your situation is different, so your calculation will also be different.
For more information on these sample calculations visit www.koopvaardij.nl/en/3steps.
Example of pension
Eddy
30
Second officer Annual gross salary: €51,629
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
Eddy also builds up partner's pension for his wife Monique. This guarantees her an income if Eddy passes away before his retirement age.
Example of partner’s pension
Monique
29 Clothing store sales assistant current scheme €16,000
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
Example of pension
Marianne
50 Second engineer Annual gross salary: €63,220
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
Marianne also accrues partner's pension for her husband John. This guarantees him an income if Marianne passes away before her retirement age.
Example of partner’s pension
John
54 Auditor
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
Example of pension
Tom
65 Captain Annual gross salary: €67,497 No partner
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
Example of pension
Joanna
40 Was seafarer, is now administrative assistant No partner
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
Example of pension
Roberto
60 Was seafarer, is now electrician
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year from state pension age
As a seafarer, Roberto also built up partner's pension for his wife Sofia. This guarantees her an income if Roberto passes away before his retirement age.
Example of partner’s pension
Sofia
60 GP
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
new scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
Example of pension*
Peter
85 Worked as first officer for 7 years
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
new scheme
Verwacht ouderdomspensioen
gross per year
* The benefit is also payable for surviving dependants
As a seafarer, Peter also built up partner's pension for his wife Emma.
Example of partner’s pension
Emma
81
current scheme
Expected occupational retirement pension
gross per year
new scheme
Verwacht ouderdomspensioen
gross per year