The principle of pension is simple: you save during your working life, so that you have enough income once you stop working. Does 'enough income' not seem to work? Then you are faced with a pension gap: the difference between your accrued pension assets and the amount you need to live as you want. And practice shows that such a gap soon arises. The earlier in your career you make adjustments, the greater the chance that you will prevent, reduce or solve this gap. But what exactly can you do about it? Our pension specialists are happy to tell you this.
When does a pension gap arise?
From the moment you stop working, you usually have two forms of income: your AOW and your retirement pension. But other pots also count. Think of your savings account, house and any investment accounts. Together, these sources form your pension assets. Ideally, this is high enough to live the way you want when you retire. You can check for yourself whether your accrued pension is sufficient. How much is your total pension gross and net? Make a list of what your income and expenses are expected to be. Which things will or can change? Does it appear that you are building too little? Then there is a pension gap.
You have a pension gap
If you continue to build up a pension steadily throughout your life, you will often come close to the required capital - although this largely depends on your wishes. But don't count yourself rich. Nowadays, many pension schemes are a lot more meager than we are used to in the past: no matter how well you build up, there can easily be a significant drop in income. Moreover, certain moments in your life can strongly influence your pension assets. A job change and transition to another pension scheme, for example, or a divorce. In such situations you have to pay close attention and find out exactly what the impact on your pension is. Maybe you are suddenly heading for an (even bigger) pension gap.
The new pension system can also affect your pension assets. Curious how? You read it in this article.
You can do what is necessary for a pension gap yourself
If it turns out that you have a pension shortfall, you can often make adjustments – and the sooner you start doing so, the greater the chance that you will succeed. For example, by saving extra yourself for later or by investing more in your pension scheme. Have you accrued pension with different funds? Then you can also find out whether value transfer is advantageous. With this you transfer the accrued capital from one scheme to the other. Please note: this is not always advantageous.
Feel free to enlist our help
In addition, ask our pension experts for help. During a personal meeting, they will find out how your pension is doing, discuss with you what your savings goal is and what options you have to reduce your pension gap. This way you can map out a plan.
More information
Do you have questions about your pension accrual or pension gap or would you like to make an appointment with our pension specialists? Contact us. Our Service Center can be reached every working day from 8.30:17.00 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm via sc@unie.nl and 0345 851 963.
