There is a "serious risk" of capacity shortages if Dutch employers continue to delay transitioning insured pension schemes to the Netherlands' new pension system, Aon Netherlands has warned, with only around 30 per cent of pension contracts converted so far under the Future Pensions Act (Wtp).

The consultancy said various initiatives are already underway to encourage employers to act, including efforts by the Dutch Association of Insurers and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, but progress among insured pension arrangements continues to lag.

Aon Netherlands director of wealth, Frank Driessen, said the firm's analysis showed that almost half of employers entering into a new Wtp contract were opting for the so-called grandfathering arrangement.

"In addition, a quarter are postponing their decision, for example by agreeing to extend their existing contract by one year,” he said.

He continued: "We see this as a serious risk, because contracts expiring in 2026 and 2027 will also need to be extended and made compliant with the Financial Supervision Act (Wft).”

Driessen warned there was a “significant risk of capacity shortages” if transition activity continued to build towards the statutory deadline of 1 January 2028.

Therefore, he urged employers that have yet to begin the transition to do so and backed calls for an emergency solution to avoid adverse tax consequences.

The remaining 25 per cent of employers entering into a new Wtp contract have opted for a flat-rate pension contribution.

Despite concerns about insured pension arrangements, Aon said the transition for Dutch pension funds remains on track.

Pension funds that transitioned on 1 July 2026 have received regulatory approval and are focused on implementation and member communications.

The consultancy said the largest wave of transitions is still expected on 1 January 2027, with implementation plans already submitted and currently under assessment, indicating that pension funds remain “broadly on track” for the transition.

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