Published on 19 June 2023
If you are ill, there is a lot to deal with. Pension is probably not the first thing on your mind in that case. However, what actually happens to your pension if you are sick for an extended period of time or even become occupationally disabled?
What happens to my pension if I am sick?
You build up full pension via your employer during the first two years of sickness. Even if your salary is reduced. So with regard to your pension, nothing will change. You and your employer will discuss whether and how you can return to work.
What happens if I am sick for more than two years?
If you cannot or cannot fully resume work after two years, you and your employer will be subject to the WIA: the Dutch Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act. You will be examined by the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). The UWV will consider how many hours you are unable to work due to your sickness. This is expressed as a percentage. You may be eligible for a WIA benefit. The pension build-up changes.
What happens if I become occupationally disabled?
If you have been declared occupationally disabled for more than 35%, you will receive a WIA benefit from the UWV. How much pension you build up will depend on the extent to which you are occupationally disabled and the salary you earned before you became occupationally disabled. Bpf Koopvaardij will pay the pension contribution for the hours you no longer work. This is called non-contributory build-up. You build up normal pension on the part for which you work. You and your employer will continue to pay the contribution on that part together.
What is non-contributory pension build-up?
If you receive a WIA benefit, you may be entitled to non-contributory pension build-up. You then build up pension on the part for which you are occupationally disabled without paying a contribution. Bpf Koopvaardij will pay that for you. However, you build up less pension on the part for which you are occupationally disabled: a maximum of 80% instead of 100%. That also applies to the partner's and orphan's pension.
What must I do if I become occupationally disabled?
If you become occupationally disabled, we will automatically receive your details from the UWV. You will receive a letter from us within three months containing information about non-contributory membership.
Want to know more?
You can read more at You become/are occupationally disabled. There you will also find information on non-contributory build-up.