AOW Gap for Expats and Remigrants

Expats and remigrants often face an AOW gap due to years abroad without Dutch premium payments. AOW accrues based on years of residence, not just work. Upon return to the Netherlands, you can voluntarily insure for periods prior to emigration, provided it is within the deadlines. EU rules (Regulation 883/2004) count years of residence in other EU countries, but not outside without a bilateral treaty. For non-EU countries, pro rata offsetting applies. The SVB verifies via international treaties. Practical example: an expat from the US with 20 Dutch years of residence receives 40% AOW; voluntary insurance fills up to 100%. Costs are higher for older applicants due to premium accrual. Important: report emigration and remigration timely to SVB to preserve rights. Tax benefit via box 1 deduction. Advice: check your AOW accrual via mijn.svb.nl and fill gaps before AOW age. Alternative: Anw insurance for survivors' pension. This way, you avoid financial surprises at retirement. (199 words)