Voluntary continuation: making your choice

Everyone’s situation is different

Want to know whether it makes sense for you to voluntarily continue your partner’s pension and surviving dependants’ insurance (Anw-hiaatverzekering)? Here’s some information to help you decide. Need help making the right choice? Ask a financial advisor. You will pay a fee for their advice.

How do you make the right choice?

Start by asking yourself: ‘Would my partner be able to manage financially if I pass away tomorrow?’

• If the answer is no, voluntary continuation or an alternative is usually worth considering.
• If the answer is yes, the financial risk is already covered, so voluntary continuation may provide unnecessary duplicate cover.

When do you need to make your decision?

During the extended cover period, your partner’s pension and, where applicable, surviving dependants’ insurance (Anw) will remain in place for another 3 to 6 months, as set out in your former employer’s pension regulations. After this period, the extended cover ends and you need to decide what to do. Would you like to continue your insurance voluntarily after that? Request an offer to see straight away how much it will cost. You have up to 9 months after leaving your employer to request and accept the offer.

When you leave your employer, you will receive information about how long your extended cover will remain in place in the letter about the end of your employment. Make sure you take action in good time and make your choice.

What happens if you pass away before making a decision?

If you pass away after the extended cover has ended but before opting for voluntary continuation, your surviving dependants will no longer be covered. Make sure you request the offer for voluntary continuation in good time and return it on time, signed by both you and your partner.

How do you apply for voluntary continuation?

1. After leaving your employer, request an offer by emailing klantenservice@befrank.nl.
2. You will receive an offer showing:
   • The contribution.
   • The cover.
   • How voluntary continuation affects your expected pension. The pension amounts shown apply to the first year only. You will see your expected retirement pension, as well as what your pension could be if things go better or worse than expected.
3. Would you like to proceed? Sign the offer and return it to us.
4. Voluntary continuation will start automatically once your extended cover ends.
5. Each year, you will receive a new offer to renew the voluntary continuation. We will again show you how voluntary continuation affects your expected pension. This offer must also be signed by both you and your partner and returned to us.