What are the advantages?
Your individual pension account
- Tax-friendly
- You decide how much you contribute and how often
- The accumulated money goes to your legal beneficiaries in case you pass away
- You become co-owner of BrightPensioen
- Your money is invested at cost price
- Socially responsible and sustainable investments
- Additional investment account with no extra costs
- A contribution break is possible
- Five-star rating on MoneyView (Dutch article)
Does your employer facilitate BrightPensioen?
- Your employer takes care of the anual membership fees
- Your employer pays the registration fees
- In case you switch jobs, your account stays with you
This is how BrightPensioen works
Your employer offers you a pension account with BrightPensioen Smart! Because that means you can save money for later in a tax-free, flexible, and sustainable way.
You’ll get an individual account and you can contribute monthly. It’s your account so you decide for yourself how much you want to contribute.
Your accumulated money can be converted into an annuity at retirement age. Possibly earlier, in case you move to another country.
Watch our English webinar for more details
This is how we invest your money
All pension suppliers invest the money of their participants. And so do we. There is no other magic trick to grow your money. But it’s important to do it in a clever way. And to manage the risks appropriately.
How we manage the risks
We spread the investments over all regions globally, over all industries. The risk profile is neutral, with a maximum of 60% stocks and 40% (green)bonds. We rebalance every month and start decreasing the risk automatically ten years before your retirement date.
Investing at cost price
We don’t earn from your pension. We don’t make money by taking a percentage of our customers’ investment. That’s the traditional revenue model of all other suppliers. We earn our money from a fixed fee membership. And your employer pays that membership. Also, your pension is invested at cost price. And that means more pension for you!
Sustainable and responsible investments
Our fund has ESG investments and impact investments, such as GreenBonds. ESG stands for Environment, Social, and Governance. This is good for the world and your investment results. Why would you invest money that is meant to secure your future, in things that jeopardize it?
How much pension do you need?
Total period: jaar
Indication accumulated capital
This is the total amount of money. With this money you eventually have to buy an annuity, for a certain period. In The Netherlands this period has to be at least 5 years. Indication total accumulated capital
€ Indication accumulated capital
Indication monthly gross payout
This is an indication of the monthly amounts that you are able to find in the market with the current interest rates for the period you choose. Purchasing power IN. So, what would this amount be in today's euro. Indication monthly (gross) income
€ Purchasing power: € Indication monthly gross payout
What's the result of starting years later?
€ − % lessDisclaimer
This tool gives you an indication of the capital you can accumulate and the corresponding monthly payout amounts. Calculated with the contribution, period and yield you can enter and alter yourself. The yearly membership fee is not taken into account in the contribution or in the results, since these are charges separately. And usually paid by your employer.
The shown amounts are merely an indication and this indication is not an advice in any form. The actual results are dependent of various factors and circumstances. The value of your investments can fluctuate. Past performance is no guide to future performance.
Here you find the calculations explained (Dutch).
Profit sharing
As a member and co-owner
Together we stand strong. That’s why we cooperate. And the more members we have, the lower our cost prices become. Once there is room for profit-sharing, our members benefit as well. Since they are all co-owners.
Together we’re transforming the financial industry. Making it more sustainable, more transparent, and more honest. Speaking of which: we are a proud member of Social Enterprise NL.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I visit the website of BrightPensioen in English (or any other language)?
We realize that it can be difficult to understand our Dutch website. Especially if this isn’t your (first) language. We haven’t translated our website into English (yet), but there is an easy way to do this yourself if you want to, with Google Translate.
- Go to the website of Google Translate.
- Type our website (www.brightpensioen.nl) in the left box.
- Choose the language you want to translate to, in the right box.
- Click on the link that is created in the right box, to go to the translated website.
It can take a few seconds for the page to load fully. Of course, the translation will not be flawless, but it can be very helpful.
Also please know our customer service colleagues do speak multiple languages (call: 020 – 70 70 540 or e-mail: info@brightpensioen.nl) and they’re available to help you with any questions you might still have.
Does your employer facilitate your pension at BrightPensioen? Please know there’s this English page available for you.
- What if I move abroad?
If you’re moving abroad, you must notify us of any changes to your tax residence. Otherwise it may be that double taxation is levied (in the Netherlands and in the country to which you move), which you then have to (try to) reclaim. So inform all financial institutions where you purchase services in time.
From a fiscal point of view, the following happens with regards to your box 1 annuity account:
- The tax authorities impose a so-called “Conserverende aanslag” on the amount of the reversionary interest due. You don’t have to pay this assessment as long as you still adhere to the conditions set for the annuity as imposed by Dutch law. This assessment will expire after you have lived abroad for 10 years (and therefore have not been a tax resident of the Netherlands during all that time). Please note: you must submit a written request for remission of your Conserverende aanslag. It’s smart to do this before you possibly use your accrued annuity capital.
- If you reach your desired retirement age in those 10 years and you want to start your benefit, you must purchase an annuity benefit that meets the conditions in Dutch law.
- If you reach the state pension age plus 5 years in that period, you must purchase an annuity payment that meets the conditions in Dutch legislation.
What happens after the protective assessment has expired?
From that moment on, you no longer have to adhere to the payment rules that are set for annuities. If desired, you can have current benefits paid out in one go or adjust the term to a shorter period if desired (longer is of course also possible, but this was already one of your options when the restrictions on annuity payments still applied). You can also use it, for example, for an “interim pension / sabbatical”.
We are happy with our members!
And they're happy with Bright...
This is how it works
Step 1 - Open an account
You can set it up in a few minutes. Open an account. If you want, get an investment account as well. It’s included in the membership (your employer pays). Nice!
Step 2 - Determine your contribution
Our tools can help you with that. Or ask your tax advisor to help you with your annual margin (“jaarruimte”). You can change your contribution every month.
Step 3 - Claim your money back
Since you can deduct your contribution from your income tax, you can claim this back at the Dutch Tax Authorities. This will be pre-filled on your yearly tax return.
You're in good company
Calculate your yearly allowance and reserve margin
Saving for retirement is tax-beneficial. Therefore there is a maximum on what you can contribute per year. Your annual allowance (in Dutch: jaarruimte) is based on your income of the previous year. You can ask your financial or tax advisor to calculate this. Or do it yourself with our tool.
What was your income in 2020?
These amounts are indications. The actual results dependent of your income of the previous years and whether or not you had any pension provisions in these years. In the payout phase you will have to pay income tax. For the indicated tax return we have calculated with a percentage of 37,10% and for incomes of € 68.507 and more with a percentage van 49,50%. This can be different from person to person. E.g. due to 30% rulings.
You want to make the exact calculations? Download our calculation tool (Excel, Dutch).