Several Dutch pension funds have confirmed they will increase pension incomes as of 1 January 2027.

The Dutch Pension Fund for Healthcare and Welfare (PFZW) confirmed it will increase pension incomes by 0.75 per cent as of 1 January 2027, the first annual adjustment since the switch to the new Dutch pension system on 1 January 2026.

The fund explained that this increase in pension income is possible because of its financial results in the first nine months of 2026.

“When we switched to the new pension scheme, we were able to increase pension incomes by more than 12 per cent. This was possible because PFZW had more assets than were required,” PFZW director, John Landman, said.

“We distributed those surplus assets amongst all our members and pensioners. We were pleased to be able to grant this increase at a time of rising prices. This was a special and one-off situation.”

Landman explained that the increase is good news but acknowledged that 0.75 per cent is a “modest increase” and does not keep pace with this year’s rise in prices.

Additionally, PMT chairman on behalf of employers, Terry Troost, confirmed that PMT will increase current pension benefits by 0.82 per cent from 1 January 2027.

“After the increase in the transition to the new pension scheme, we can increase the pensions that have commenced again as of 1 January 2027,” Troost added.

“Our participants find a stable pension important. That is why we spread good and less good results over several years. The remaining part of the distribution capital will remain available for the coming years.”

Adding to this, PMT chairman on behalf of the employees and pensioners, Caspar Vlaar, said: “We look back positively on the first three quarters after the transition to the new pension scheme. Despite the turmoil in the world, the picture is positive for everyone after three quarters. For pensioners, that means a result of 2.46 per cent.”

PMT also highlighted that in the third quarter of 2026, accrued pension for all age groups increased.

The fund noted that as interest rates rose, pension costs fell. Although the excess return was slightly negative in the third quarter, this did not outweigh the positive effect of the increased interest rate on the accrued pension.

Furthermore, BpfBOUW confirmed that its retirees will get a 0.8 per cent increase in their pension income on 1 January 2027, based on the fund’s financial position as of 30 September 2026.

Commenting, BpfBOUW chairman on behalf of employees and retirees, Eline Lundgren, said: “For our retirees, what they receive every month matters. It’s great that we’re raising pension payments by 0.8 per cent as of 1 January.

“Earlier this year, pensions were already increased by 20.8 per cent when moving to the new scheme. This increase adds on top of that. Even a smaller step still counts in what our retirees have to spend every month.”

BpfBOUW also reported that its total return in the third quarter of 2026 was -5.1 per cent, while the total return over the first nine months was 0.3 per cent.

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