AOW Gap: The Gap in Your AOW Entitlement as a Den Haag Resident
The AOW gap arises when you fail to accrue AOW rights due to living abroad between your 15th birthday and AOW age. This results in a lower basic pension. From 2024, a compensation scheme provides support for groups such as children of guest workers, which is common in diverse Den Haag. Learn how it works and what local support is available at the Juridisch Loket Den Haag.
What Does the AOW Gap Mean for Den Haag?
Under the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW), your pension accrual starts the day after your 15th birthday up to pension age. For each full year in the Netherlands or covered by AOW insurance, you build up 2% of the basic pension. An AOW gap occurs with (partial) residence elsewhere without coverage. This is often seen in:
- Residents who lived abroad before age 15.
- Children of migrant families in neighborhoods like Schilderswijk or Transvaal.
- Returnees after emigration.
A full gap means 0% AOW, half around 50%. In 2024, about 10% of AOW recipients, including many Den Haag residents, have an incomplete pension due to this.
Legal Basis of the AOW Gap
The foundation is in the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW):
- Article 7 AOW: Insurance starts after the 15th birthday.
- Article 16 AOW: Pension proportional to insured years (2% per year).
- Article 17 AOW: Exceptions via international treaties for abroad.
Since 1 January 2024, the AOW Gap Compensation Act (Bulletin of Acts and Decrees 2023, 456) is in effect. It provides a monthly supplement for affected groups until 2035, funded without additional costs.
Causes of an AOW Gap in Den Haag
The gap results from residence outside the Netherlands, not work. Typical cases in the region:
- Raised abroad: No accrual before moving to Den Haag.
- Children of guest workers: Parents came to Den Haag industry in the 1960s/70s; children from Morocco/Turkey with gap before age 15.
- Emigration and return: Departure to Turkey, remigration at later age: large gap.
- No nationality until age 15: Before 1985, only residence mattered for non-Dutch nationals.
Comparison: Full vs. Incomplete AOW
| Situation | Number of Years | AOW Amount (2024, single) |
|---|---|---|
| Full AOW (50 years) | 50 | €1.450,17 gross/month |
| Half AOW gap (25 years) | 25 | €725,09 gross/month |
| Full AOW gap | 0 | €0 |
Source: SVB, 2024 amounts. Partner supplement up to €1,000+ extra possible.
Impact of AOW Gap on Den Haag Residents
Lower pension leads to financial strain upon retirement. In Den Haag with many elderly migrants:
Example 1: Ahmed (1965, Morocco) moved to Den Haag at age 10. Accrual 40 years: 80% AOW (€1,160). Compensation can top it up.
Example 2: Maria (1955, Suriname) moved to NL at age 25. 10-year gap: 80% AOW, no compensation.
Result: Risk of poverty or social assistance via Municipality of Den Haag. Partner supplement helps if married to full AOW recipient.
Compensation Scheme for AOW Gap
The law covers children of labor migrants (e.g., from Morocco, Turkey, born 1955-1986) with a gap due to early residence abroad. Conditions:
- AOW entitlement from 1-1-2024.
- Gap due to foreign residence.
- Parents worked in NL (e.g., Den Haag sectors).
Supplement up to full AOW, paid monthly via SVB. Automatic for many; applications until 2035.
Rights and Obligations with AOW Gap
Rights:
- Free trial calculation from SVB.
- Compensation if eligible.
- Objection (within 4 weeks); disputes to District Court of Den Haag.
Obligations:
- Report address to SVB/Municipality of Den Haag.
- Provide proof of uninsured residence.
Read more in our article on AOW - The Basic Pension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Catch Up on an AOW Gap Later?
No, accrual ends at pension age. After emigration: frontier worker scheme or treaties, not retroactively.
Entitled to Compensation?
Yes under AOW Gap Compensation Act: born abroad, migrant parents, gap before age 15. Check SVB mypension or Juridisch Loket Den Haag.
Partner with Full AOW?
Then partner supplement up to nearly €1,400+.
How to Check My Accrual?
Via SVB login or request. 5 years before AOW age, advice from Juridisch Loket Den Haag.
Tips for Den Haag Residents
Avoid problems:
- Trial calculation: Annually via SVB.nl.
- Save: Via employer pension or annuity.
- Partner supplement: Marriage to AOW recipient helps.
- Objection: For errors; 20% success rate, to District Court of Den Haag if needed.
- Free advice: Juridisch Loket Den Haag for your situation.