What are the volksverzekeringen (the Dutch national insurance schemes)?

Which there are

The AOW provides the state pension from the state pension age. You build up entitlement by living in the Netherlands. Each year of residence builds up two per cent.

The Anw is the surviving dependants scheme: a benefit for surviving dependants who meet strict conditions, such as having a child under eighteen or being unable to work.

The Wlz covers long-term care: nursing home care and care for people with a permanent disability.

In the past the AKW: child benefit, was also a national insurance scheme. It is now paid out of general funds.

How you pay for them

Through wage and income tax. On your payslip that appears as national insurance contributions. You do not take them out yourself.

The difference from employee insurance schemes

Employee insurance schemes: unemployment, WIA and sick pay: apply only to employees and are paid by the employer.

If self-employed professional you are covered by the national insurance schemes but not by the employee insurance schemes. That is why disability insurance for the self-employed is not a luxury.

Why it matters

The Anw is considerably more limited than people think. Surviving dependants' cover or term life insurance fills that gap; work out what would actually be left for your partner.