Defer introduction of ‘lump sum’ to 1 July 2026

Another postponement...
The introduction of the ‘lump sum’ scheme has been postponed again. This means that pensioners will only be able to withdraw up to 10% of their accrued pension or annuity capital in one lump sum from 1 July 2026. The scheme is intended to provide additional financial flexibility, for example for a major expense at retirement. However, withdrawing a lump sum has consequences: the remaining pension is reduced for life and there may be tax consequences.

Why delay again?
The introduction of the right of option has already been postponed several times. Originally, the introduction date was set for 1 January 2023, then it became 1 July 2024, then 1 July 2025, and now 1 July 2026. The reason is the complexity of the scheme and the need for better support for consumers in making this choice.

Tools from Nibud
Because opting for a ‘lump sum’ can have a big financial impact, Nibud is working on tools that can help consumers with this. These calculation tools provide insight into the consequences of a lump sum withdrawal and can be a useful addition to financial advice. Their development is expected to take eight to 10 months, meaning that a calculation tool may be available in early 2026.