Dutch state pension and labor market trends

The Netherlands is seeing a growing trend of AOW-eligible individuals remaining in the workforce. Research from the employers' association AWVN indicates that 25% of employers actively seek or request that staff continue working after reaching state pension age to mitigate labor shortages. Data shows the percentage of AOW recipients in paid employment rose from 7.2% in 2014 to 9.5% by the second quarter of 2026.

Employers find legal advantages in hiring these workers, as wage obligations during illness are limited to six weeks rather than the standard 104 weeks, alongside more restricted reintegration and dismissal protections. However, existing collective labor agreements may still limit these benefits.

Concurrently, the number of Polish citizens receiving the Dutch state pension has grown significantly, from 2,057 recipients in 2020 to an estimated 6,152 by 2026. To address a lack of awareness regarding these rights, the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) is partnering with the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the Dutch Embassy to host information sessions in Warsaw and Opole in October 2026.