Senate axes Dutch government's plan for faster increase in state pension age

The Eerste Kamer, the Dutch Senate, axed the Jetten I Cabinet’s plan to increase the state pension age (AOW) more rapidly. A majority supported a motion by PRO, previously GroenLinks-PvdA, to scrap the measure during a debate with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Deputy Prime Ministers Dilan Yeşilgöz and Bart van den Brink, and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen on Tuesday.

In his motion, PRO Senator Paul Rosenmöller argued that the proposed increase in the state pension age would reopen the pension agreement that has just entered into force. That is not only unfair, but it also shows that the government is unreliable, he said. He urged the Cabinet to abandon the measure.

In addition to PRO, Rosenmöller’s motion received support from the Volt, ChristenUnie, FvD, SP, PvdD, PVV, BBB, 50Plus, OPNL, Vissen-Hamakers, Walenkamp, Van de Sanden, Beukering, and Van Gasteren parties.

Prime Minister Jetten said it was clear that the increase in the state pension age would not receive support in the Senate. This forces the Cabinet to explore alternative ways to raise the money that the increase would have generated and to keep the pension system sustainable as the population ages, he said.

Jetten will send a written response to the Senate regarding this measure before the May recess, as requested.