Relationship break-up: how does it affect your pension?

Your pension. It’s probably the last thing on your mind when you’ve just broken up with your partner. However, it will have an impact on your pension.  We explain why. And what you can arrange with your ex-partner.

If you separate, your ex-partner is entitled to part of your pension. The video below briefly explains how this is done. On your personal pension page you can read more about how you can divide your pension if you separate. This depends on your situation. 

Were you married or registered partners?

If so, your ex-partner is automatically entitled to:

1. Half your (retirement) pension. This concerns the (retirement) pension you accrued during the marriage or registered partnership.
2. The special partner’s pension if you pass away. This is the partner’s pension that you accrued until the termination of your relationship. If you separate, it will be converted into a special partner’s pension.

You can make arrangements about the division
You can make (other) arrangements with your ex-partner in order to divide up the pension. Make sure you put this in writing. You can do this in advance, for example by including a clause in your prenuptial agreement. Alternatively, you can make arrangement on this after you have broken up. Whatever you decide, make sure you get good advice.

Inform us of your arrangements 
When you separate after a marriage of registered partnership, we will be notified by the Personal Records Database (BRP). We will then send you an email asking you to inform us of the arrangements for dividing up your pension. What do we need from you?

• The notification form of the government. You will find this form on Rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch only).
• A copy of the divorce agreement, prenuptial agreement or partnership agreement.

You can upload these documents on your personal pension page. We will then place your arrangements in our system. This way your pension is distributed according to your arrangements.

Note: Please notify us of your arrangements within 2 years of your separation date.

Did you live together?

Did you lived together for more than 6 months or did you have a cohabitation agreement? Your ex-partner will automatically be entitled to a special partner’s pension. We will not be notified by the BRP when you separate. Have you made any (other) arrangements about the special partner’s pension? Then it is important to email this information to klantenservice@befrank.nl.

What if we do not receive your arrangements? 

You have 2 years from the end of your relationship to relay your arrangements to us. If we do not receive anything, we will automatically reserve the special partner’s pension for your ex-partner. And if you were married or in a registered partnership, you will be responsible for the distribution of your (retirement) pension when you retire. This is a statutory requirement.