AOW Gap for Expats and Remigrants in Delft

Expats and remigrants in Delft often face an AOW (General Old Age Pensions Act) gap due to years spent abroad without paying Dutch social security contributions. AOW accrues based on years of residence, not just employment. Upon returning to Delft, you can voluntarily insure for periods prior to emigration, provided this is done within the applicable deadlines. In Delft, with its international TU Delft community and expat networks such as the Expat Centre Delft, this issue is frequently observed among researchers and students who remigrate. EU regulations (Regulation 883/2004) count residence years in other EU countries, but not outside the EU unless a bilateral treaty exists. For non-EU countries, a pro-rata calculation applies. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) verifies this through international treaties. Practical example: A Delft expat from the US with 20 years of residence in the Netherlands, including studies at TU Delft, receives 40% of the AOW entitlement; voluntary insurance can supplement this to 100%. Costs are higher for older applicants due to premium accumulation. Important: Report emigration and remigration to the SVB in a timely manner to preserve your rights, especially when moving to Delft neighborhoods such as the city center or the TU campus. Tax benefits via Box 1 deductions are available, which is useful for Delft residents with local jobs. Advice: Check your AOW accrual via [mijn.svb.nl](https://mijn.svb.nl) and fill any gaps before reaching the AOW age. Local tip: Consult the Delft pension office or the International Office Delft (IOB) for free advice. Alternative: Consider Anw (Surviving Dependents Act) insurance for survivor’s pension. This helps avoid financial surprises upon retirement in Delft.