Less than a quarter of Dutch ING Pension Fund members reported using a free online consultation with a pension coach, despite a poll revealing widespread confidence in their retirement choices.

The poll, which garnered 135 responses, examined members' understanding of the retirement options available to them and how they utilised the fund's 'Choice Guide' tool.

Most respondents demonstrated a strong awareness of their options, with 84 per cent correctly identifying that a full lump-sum withdrawal was not permitted under current rules, and 90 per cent recognising that it was possible to combine work and pension income.

However, far fewer (24 per cent) knew that they were entitled to schedule a free online consultation with a pension coach, using the fund's 'Choice Guide', which allows members to see which decisions remain open to them, outline their preferred options, and, under certain conditions, book a one-to-one consultation with a pensions coach.

The fund said that consultations like these can help savers better tailor decisions to their personal circumstances and plans, such as whether to front-load pension income to support early travel or spread it more evenly across retirement.

The findings come amid continued changes to the Dutch pension system, with a proposed Dutch lump-sum law, which would allow members to withdraw 10 per cent of their pension savings upfront, recently delayed again, and not expected to take effect before July 2026 at the earliest.

The revision of the lump sum under the new law has been delayed three times, despite the law change having been approved by the House of Representatives.

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