The Dutch government has appointed Carola Schouten as the country’s first dedicated Pensions Minister.

Schouten of the ChristenUnie party will officially be titled the Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions. She fills one of the three positions that the party has in the cabinet following the general election in the Netherlands, and played a part in negotiating the coalition agreement with the party’s leader Gert-Jan Segers.

“I am very grateful to Carola for having again the courage to take on this great responsibility,” Segers stated, adding that he thinks it is “very special” that Schouten wants to take on the role of ensuring solidarity between young and old people when it comes to a fair pension.

Schouten, who previously served as a the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, takes on the mantel from Wouter Koolmes, the former Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Netherlands.

The appointment of a dedicated minister for pensions comes at a crucial time for the country, which is transitioning to a new pension system expected to be complete by 1 January 2027.

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