Our service, your future
Your employer offers you a pension account with BrightPensioen. How smart! This allows you to save for the future in a tax-friendly, flexible, and sustainable way.
You’ll receive an individual account, and you can make monthly contributions. Your employer might also contribute! Through your online portal, you’ll have insights into your account.
The money you accumulate can eventually be converted into an annuity when you retire. Or possibly earlier, if you move to another country.
How does it work?
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Your personal pension (with benefits)
- Tax-friendly!
- You decide how much you contribute and how often.
- The accumulated funds go to your legal beneficiaries in case of your passing.
- Your money is invested at cost price in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.
- You can open an additional investment account at no extra cost.
- If you leave the company, a contribution break is possible.
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Also good to know
- Your employer covers the annual membership fees.
- Your employer also pays the registration fees.
- If you switch jobs or leave the company, your account will still belong to you.
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Important terms and conditions
- Your pension contribution has a maximum limit. Contributions above this limit (in Dutch: jaarruimte) do not receive tax benefits.
- There is no tax advantage for the flexible (box 3) investment account.
- You cannot access your pension freely; the money is locked in for your retirement.
- You pay taxes on your pension income when you retire.
- We invest (for) your pension. Investing carries risks; your money can increase or decrease in value. Of course, we try to mitigate these risks, including by diversifying investments. Read more below.
Watch our English webinar
How we invest your money
Almost all Dutch pension suppliers invest the money of their participants. So do we! We believe this is the best way to grow your money. But it’s essential to do it cleverly and to manage the risks appropriately.
How we manage the risks
We spread the investments over all regions globally and over all industries. The risk profile is neutral, with a maximum of 60% stocks and 40% (green)bonds. We rebalance every month and automatically decrease the risk ten years before your retirement age.
Investing at cost price
We don’t profit from your pension nor from your investments. That’s the traditional revenue model of all other suppliers. But we earn our money from a fixed-fee membership, and your employer pays it. Also, your contribution is being invested at a cost price, which means there’ll be more left for you!
Sustainable and responsible investments
Our investing fund is called Bright LifeCycle Fund. The main goal of this fund is to invest as sustainable as possible. That is why this fund contains ESG investments and Impacts Investments, such as green bonds. ESG stands for Environment, Social, and Governance. Investments that make our world a better place for the future.
Because: why would you invest your money meant to secure your future, in things that could jeopardise this future?
Want to know more? Visit our investment page or view our results (both pages are in Dutch).
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).
Calculate your annual allowance and tax refund
What was your income in 2024?
Factor A
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. Want to know more? Give us a call or contact your financial or tax advisor.
The amounts provided are indicative and may vary based on your income in previous years and whether you had any pension provisions during those years. During the payout phase, income tax will be applicable. For the indicated tax return, we have used a tax rate of 36.97%, and for incomes of € 75.518 or higher, a rate of 49.50%. Please note that these rates may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I visit the website of BrightPensioen in English (or any other language)?
We realise it can take time to understand a Dutch website, especially if it is different from your (first) language. We have not 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 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 and a webinar available for you.
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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're happy with our members!
And they're happy with Bright
Start your pension today
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Step 1 - Open an account
Open an account in just five minutes. If you wish, you can also get an investment account—it’s included in the membership (paid for by your employer). Great!
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Step 2 - Determine your contribution
Our tools can assist you with this, or you can consult your tax advisor for help with your annual margin (in Dutch: jaarruimte). You can adjust your contribution every month.
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Step 3 - Get ready for your Bright future
You’re all set! Congratulations! Now it’s our turn. We’ll do everything we can to ensure you get the most out of your pension.