‘Lump Sum withdrawal’ postponed again: uncertainty persists

Publication date: 16 April 2026

The introduction of the optional ‘lump sum’ (“bedrag ineens”) has once again been postponed. The intended effective date of 1 July 2026 has been pushed back to 1 January 2029, according to a parliamentary letter dated 30 March 2026. As a result, the scheme, first announced as part of the 2019 Pension Agreement, continues to exist largely in name only.

Another delay

The Lump Sum Adjustment Act ("Wet herziening bedrag ineens") is intended to give participants the right, upon retirement, to withdraw up to 10% of their pension capital in a single payment. Minister Vijlbrief has informed the House of Representatives that the planned introduction date of the Act is being postponed yet again. This is not the first delay, earlier start dates (in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026) all proved unfeasible.

Interaction with the Future Pensions Act as the main cause

The postponement is primarily driven by the implementation of the Future Pensions Act (“Wtp”). Pension providers have indicated that they lack sufficient capacity to carefully manage both the complex transition to the new pension system and the implementation of the lump sum option at the same time. The Pension Federation has therefore explicitly called for the Lump Sum Adjustment Act to be implemented after completion of the Wtp transition, which must be finalised by 1 January 2028 at the latest. The Senate has also indicated that it will not resume consideration of the bill until there is sufficient political clarity on this point.

Which group is affected?

The lump sum option can only be exercised on the retirement date itself. Participants who retire before 1 January 2029 will permanently miss out on this choice. As a result, the group of participants for whom the option will never be available continues to grow.

Conclusion

Formally, the lump sum option remains on the political agenda. In practice, however, repeated postponements and the clear prioritisation of the Wtp transition mean that the scheme is increasingly pushed into the background. Introduction before 2029 appears highly unlikely. Whether this date will ultimately be met will depend on the policy choices made by a future cabinet.

We will, of course, continue to monitor developments closely.