January falls retirement for millions of older people against dirty

They often think that their pension fund has made ​​a discount, but the cause lies in increased health insurance contributions and taxation.

The reduction amounts to a few euros to a few bucks a month. Especially for people with small pensions is that hard. Especially because the pensions have been frozen for years, so that the purchasing power is declining for years. ,, But there are also pensioners who are 300 to 400 euros per month to deteriorate. They have too much power and lose their housing benefit, '' said Martin van Rooijen, President of pensioners dome KNVG.

To heart
The reductions were announced, but that message has not reached many retirees. Now the benefit is paid into the account, the terror strikes them to heart and go seek redress when their pension fund.

ABP, the largest pension fund in the Netherlands, are a quarter more phone calls than usual inside. Also at PME, the fund for the metal and electrical industry, the service desk is flooded with calls. ,, People are angry or distressed. Often they think we have made ​​a discount, but it is not, '' said a spokesman. Also at PFZW, the pension fund for care and welfare, report startled many retirees.

increased
The reason for the lower benefit lies in politics. ,, We can explain well, '' said a spokesman for PFZW. Pensioners pay more premium as of this year for health insurance.

In addition, the rate increased in the first tax bracket. Just ABP take measures 60 per cent of all pensioners.

Van Rooijen wants the measures to be reversed as soon as possible. ,, The elderly are the only group who are worse off by the actions of the Cabinet. And they have handed over the last few years 20 per cent purchasing power. ''

At present talk of the social partners in the Social and Economic Council on a whole new pension system. That opinion is expected this spring.

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