According to PFZW, the healthcare pension fund, the transition to the new pension system will be very beneficial for participants. They can expect a 7 to 10 percent increase next year.
The outlook for two other major pension funds, the Metal and Technology Pension Fund (PMT) and bpfBouw (Construction Pension Fund), is also rosy. Construction workers appear poised to be particularly fortunate. Based on the current funding ratio, pensions could increase by almost 20 percent.
Pensions can be increased because pension funds need to maintain fewer reserves in the new system under the Future Pensions Act.
Optimistic message
The three million participants of the PFZW pension fund will receive a letter this week with the preliminary calculation of their new personal pension pot and the amount of their pension.
PFZW Director John Landman has an optimistic message for his participants. "It's great that we can tell people that their pensions are going up."
According to Landman, only an economic crisis could throw a wrench in the works. "We believe the new pension system is better, and it's great that people are immediately reaping the benefits."
The estimated 7 percent increase is based on PFZW's funding ratio as of June 30, which was 117 percent. This means that for every euro in payments the pension fund must make now and in the future, it has €1.17 in assets.
Coverage ratio increases
Thanks to more favorable interest rates and investment returns, the coverage ratio is now 120 percent. If this remains the case on January 1, 2026, pensions could increase by 10 percent overnight.
Last New Year's Eve, several smaller pension funds, with a combined total of 200,000 participants, already switched to the new system. Pensions there could be increased by 4 to 8 percent.
In addition to PFZW, PMT, the pension fund for the small metalworking industry, and bpfBouw, the pension fund for the construction sector, are also switching to the new system. PMT participants will also receive a letter from the pension fund in the coming weeks. They, too, will see significant improvements on average based on the fund's current financial situation.
