Support for the current pension system is fading in the Netherlands, particularly among youngsters, job-hoppers and the highly-skilled, according to new research by the government’s institute for social research SCP.

Almost half of the under-35s are fed up with paying for other people’s pensions and consider that being part of a collective pension scheme will be financially disadvantageous to them personally, the researchers found.

This group is only likely to get bigger, the SCP said. ‘There is a lot of pressure on the support for the principle of solidarity,’ the organisation told Trouw.

While most people pay lip service to the concept of solidarity, around half change their minds when asked if they would be prepared to pay more to support other people, the survey showed.

Needs

While people primarily want to ensure their pension is enough for their needs, some 65% would also like to be given more choice about, for example, saving up extra money for early retirement.

The Dutch pension system is generally considered to be one of the best in the world in terms of reliability and the size of its pensions.

The system is based on three parts: the state pension AOW, payable in full to everyone who has lived in the country for more than 50 years and at reduced rates for others; collective company schemes, which are usually compulsory and private pension schemes.