A majority of MPs have voted to ask the government’s highest-ranking advisory body, the Council of State, to assess plans to hold referenda on the new pension legislation.

Two parties from the ruling right-wing coalition – the NSC and BBB – want to give workforces and pensioners the right to vote on whether their fund should move to the new system, without asking the council for its views.

But now MPs have backed D66 calls for a formal assessment of the proposal, which will have a far-reaching impact on the new system. That decision means next week’s planned debate on pension reform has been delayed.

The reforms, first mooted 16 years ago and due to come into effect in 2028, create individually tailored pension “pots” rather than giving employees a share of a large collective fund, while pension funds’ returns will more closely reflect market performance.

Supporters say the changes are better suited to modern working practices, in which people are more likely to change jobs and careers several times rather than staying with the same employer for life.

Critics say they will make pensions more unstable and increase the risk of shortfalls. The system has also been criticised for putting people in the middle of their careers at a disadvantage because of the way contributions are weighted.

The Dutch pension system is currently based on three pillars – the state pension AOW, compulsory corporate pension schemes – either sector-wide or company-based – and individual or private pension schemes.