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No double celebration for new pension system: 2027 increase is less than 1 percent

Retirees under the new pension system will see increases of less than one percent in 2027 due to a new rule that smooths investment returns over three years. Despite the modest rise, pension fund officials maintain that the new system offers better long-term stability and higher overall returns compared to the previous structure.

Pension funds that transitioned to the new pension system in the Netherlands will implement a modest increase of less than one percent for retirees in 2027. Major funds such as PMT, PFZW, and BPF Bouw have confirmed increases ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 percent. This follows a period of significant growth earlier in the transition when some funds saw double-digit increases due to the redistribution of reserves under new accounting rules. The current lower figures are the result of a new smoothing mechanism designed to mitigate volatility by spreading investment returns over a three-year period. Officials from these funds noted that the current calculation is based on only nine months of data. While the increases are smaller than initial projections, fund managers emphasize that this system provides greater long-term stability and performs better than the previous model. The transition to individual pension accounts continues, with ten more large funds including ABP set to join the new system in January.

Economy Business Netherlands

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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