Partner's and orphan's pension

What does the new law say?
Dependant's pension, also known as partner and orphan's pension, is an important part of retirement. The impact of losing a partner is very significant - not only emotionally but also financially. What with the plethora of schemes, many people find it unclear whether they are entitled to a partner's pension and if so, how much. Under the new law, the partner's pension will therefore become much more uniform, so that (especially the partners of) employees are less at risk of falling between two stools.

• The level of partner's pension will be (at most) 50% of the salary. The amount of orphan's pension will be (at most) 20% of the salary and (at most) 40% for someone who has lost both parents. Currently, this is based on the salary portion taken into account for pension accrual (the pension base) and the number of years of employment. By basing it on salary, partner's and orphan's pensions are better regulated for lower-salaried workers, among others. In future, the orphan's pension will always end at a final age of 25 years; 
• There is immediate full coverage of partner's and orphan's pension. The number of years of employment of the employee is no longer relevant.
• The partner's pension on death before the retirement date is still insured on a risk basis only.
• This means that for your employee, the risk of death is insured before the retirement date, but this cover lapses the moment they leave employment.
• There will be a uniform partner definition used by all administrators.
• A uniform approach will make partner's pensions better regulated for employees and easier to understand.
• After leaving employment without a new job, the survivor's pension is continued for 3 or 6 months (employer's choice). If the participant receives a benefit from the WW or Sickness Insurance Act, the survivor's pension will also remain insured as long as the participant receives this benefit; 
• Following these periods (3/6 months or after ww/sickness insurance), the former participant has the option of continuing the partner's pension voluntarily.