Netherlands - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in the Netherlands and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in the Netherlands and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from the Netherlands or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Netherlands came into force on October 1, 1990. A supplementary agreement came into force on October 1, 1990. A revised agreement came into force on April 1, 2004.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Dutch pension program, or if you lived in Canada and The Netherlands, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Dutch old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of the two countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Dutch survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Dutch benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and the Netherlands will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under the Netherlands's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider your periods of coverage under the Dutch pension program as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider your periods of coverage under the Dutch pension program after the age of 18 and after December 31, 1956 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Netherlands benefits
The pension program of the Netherlands covers most people who live and work in the Netherlands. There are no minimum coverage requirements for old age, survivor and disability benefits under the pension program of the Netherlands.
To qualify for a disability benefit, however, you generally must be a resident and employed in the Netherlands at the time you become disabled. Similarly, to qualify for a survivor benefit, your spouse or common-law partner must be a resident and employed in the Netherlands when he or she dies.
Under the Agreement you will be able to meet the residence and coverage requirements of the Netherlands if you reside and work in Canada.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Dutch benefits:
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for a Dutch old age pension (C-N-202)
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for a Dutch supplementary allowance (C-N-202A)
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for a Dutch invalidity benefit (CAN-NL-204)
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for a Dutch orphan's benefit (C-N-203-C)
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for a Dutch survivor's benefit (C-N-203-A)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
If you live in the Netherlands
If you live in the Netherlands and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-NLD)
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-NLD)
- Netherlands/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-NLD)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in the Netherlands, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
The Netherland’s social security
- Sociale Verzekeringsbank [Social Insurance Bank] (SVB)
- Uitvoering Werknemersverzekeringen [Employee Insurance Agency] (in Dutch only)
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- General overview of the Netherlands’ social security system
- Information and access to programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherland and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
Page details
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