Almost 70% of self-employed Dutch workers (zzp’ers) expect to have sufficient pension savings at retirement, according to a survey of 5,000 workers.
The outcome of the survey – commissioned by lobbying organisations ZZP Nederland, PZO and ZZP Pensioen, and conducted by Motivaction – was 10 percentage points higher than a study by pensions think-tank Netspar found last year.
In a letter to social affairs minister Wouter Koolmees and parliament, ZZP Nederland and PZO said the survey was triggered by the discussion between the social partners and parliament about the mandatory participation of self-employed in pension funds.
They noted that the zzp sector as stakeholder hadn’t been consulted, and argued that the discussions had been based on “incorrect assumptions”.
The position of zzp’ers had been one of the stumbling blocks for the failed negotiations for pensions reform, with the trade unions demanding the introduction of mandatory participation.
The self-employed, however, strongly opposed mandatory pensions saving and highlighted that they, as entrepreneurs, were capable of looking after their pension interests themselves.
Almost six out of 10 zzp’ers intended to save for a pension, the survey found, with 50% of them also having second pillar pension claims accrued from previous jobs.
The survey also found that having the option to adjust their pension contribution to fit their income was very important to zzp’ers.
It reported that 40% wanted the flexibility to deploy their pension assets for other purposes, such as labour disability.
No comments yet