Netherlands Statutory and Private Employee Benefits, 2023 Update

Netherlands Statutory and Private Employee Benefits Report Overview

The Dutch social security system is one of the most comprehensive in Europe and is based on social insurance and supplementary income support schemes. The Netherlands insurance and social security system can be classified into three types: national insurance schemes, which consist of old-age pension (AOW) and child benefits (AKW); employee insurance schemes, which include unemployment benefits, long-term disability (WIA), and sickness (ZW); and social assistance. Contributions to national insurance schemes are based on an individual’s income. For employee insurance schemes, employers pay the majority of contributions, with employees paying a proportion of their wages. Employees need a Burger Service Number (BSN, previously known as a Sofi number) to register in the financial, tax, and social system.

The Netherlands employee benefits market research report provides in-depth industry analysis, information, and insights into employee benefits in the Netherlands, including an overview of the state and compulsory benefits in the Netherlands, detailed information about the private benefits in the country, insights on various central institutions responsible for the administration of the different branches of social security and the regulatory framework of the employee benefits in the Netherlands.

Regulations Guiding Employee Benefits Market in the Netherlands

Some of the key regulations guiding the employee benefits market in the Netherlands are General Old Age Pensions Act, General Surviving Relatives Act, Disablement Insurance Act, Work and Income According to Labor Capacity Act, and Disablement Assistance for Disabled Young Persons Act among others.

Netherlands Employee Benefits Market Segmentation by State and Compulsory Benefits

The key state and compulsory benefits offered by employers in the Netherlands are retirement benefits, death in service, long-term disability benefits, short-term sickness benefits, medical benefits, workers’ compensation insurance, maternity and paternity benefits, and other benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance: In the Netherlands, there are no separate schemes available for industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The rules for sick pay in the event of illness and work incapacity benefits apply to all cases of illness or incapacity to work.

Short-Term Sickness Benefits: The Dutch Sickness Benefits Act covers sick individuals who do not have an employer. An employee is entitled to sickness benefits if they are unable to perform their job due to short-term illness. The eligibility criteria of an individual depend on the duration of the illness. There are two categories illness for less than two years and illness for two years or more.

Netherlands Employee Benefits Market Segmentation by Private Benefits

The key private benefits offered by the employers of the Netherlands are retirement benefits, death benefits, medical benefits, disability benefits, accidental death and dismemberment benefits, and other benefits.

Death Benefits: Employers provide death benefits through collective survivor’s insurance plans (group life insurance) and as additional benefits under occupational pension plans. The prevalence of employer-sponsored group life insurance is low in the country, and most employers provide it as an additional benefit under occupational pension plans.

Disability Benefits: There is a strong presence of compulsory Return to Work Scheme for the Partially Disabled (WGA) and Fully Disabled Workers Income Scheme (IVA), combined as Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act (WIA) benefits in the Netherlands. However, employers can opt-out and provide insurance through private insurers to the employees. Previously, employers could switch between private and public insurance for permanent employees. However, since January 1, 2017, employers have been required to make a single choice for their entire workforce–permanent or temporary employees.

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Scope

This report provides a detailed analysis of employee benefits in the Netherlands –

• It offers a detailed analysis of the key government-sponsored employee benefits, along with private benefits.
• It covers an exhaustive list of employee benefits, including retirement benefits, death in service, long-term disability benefits, medical benefits, workmen’s compensation insurance, maternity and paternity benefits, family benefits, unemployment benefits, Long-term care benefits, leaves and holidays, and private benefits.
• It highlights the economic and regulatory situations relating to employee benefits in the

Key Highlights

• The de Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), Belastingdienst (Tax Authority), and The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment are responsible for the functioning of the overall social security system.

• A person’s national insurance contribution is determined based on their income.

• An insured person who is unemployed or unable to work and whose benefits have been exhausted is entitled to a credited contribution.

• In the Netherlands, employers provide voluntary retirement benefits to their employees through collective pension schemes and lifetime-average earnings plans.

Reasons to Buy

• Make strategic decisions using in-depth information related to employee benefits in the country.
• Assess employee benefits of the market, including state and compulsory benefits and private benefits.
• Gain insights into the key employee benefit schemes offered by private employers in the country.
• Gain insights into key organizations governing the employee benefits market, and their impact on companies.