More than six in ten (62 per cent) Dutch people underestimate the differences in retirement savings between pension schemes, with employees on identical salaries potentially accumulating hundreds of thousands of euros less than their peers, research from Wijzer in geldzaken has revealed.

The Pensioenmonitor 2026 study, published ahead of the Netherlands' annual Pensioen3daagse (Pension Three-Day Event), found widespread uncertainty surrounding pension contributions, with 57 per cent of respondents unaware of how much they personally contribute to their pension each month.

Meanwhile, almost three-quarters (72 per cent) did not know how much their employer contributed, highlighting a lack of understanding of how workplace pension arrangements can affect retirement outcomes.

The research suggested that differences in employer contributions and pension scheme arrangements could result in substantial disparities in retirement savings, even among workers earning the same salary.

Despite this, pensions appeared to be a relatively low priority when choosing employment, with 59 per cent of respondents admitting they had not examined their pension arrangements when starting a new job.

Indeed, just 13 per cent ranked pensions among their three most important employment benefits.

However, after being shown the potential differences in pension outcomes, 40 per cent said they regretted, to some extent, not giving pensions greater consideration when choosing a job, while 46 per cent said they wanted to review their own pension situation.

Van Lanschot Kempen private banker business professionals, Rob Neuvel, warned that employees could be overlooking a significant element of their overall remuneration.

"Many employees assume that their pension is well taken care of because their employer has a pension scheme.

"Sometimes they only discover years later that their pension accrual is disappointing."

Neuvel encouraged workers to examine both their own and their employer's pension contributions, particularly when changing jobs.

"Those who only look at salary see only half the story," he added.

The research also highlighted demand for greater transparency around pension contributions, with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of respondents considering it important that employees could easily see their total contributions and the proportion paid by their employer.

Meanwhile, a third (33 per cent) said visual representations of pension accumulation would help them better understand their retirement savings.

Netspar director, Lisa Brüggen, argued that improving pension engagement required more than simply providing additional financial information.

"Pension is perhaps the most underestimated employment benefit," she stated.

"The fact that four out of ten Dutch people regret not giving pension more weight in their job choice after seeing the potential financial differences is telling."

Brüggen stressed that employers and pension providers should present information in ways that help individuals make better financial decisions.

The study also identified significant gaps in understanding of survivor pension arrangements under the Netherlands' new pension system.

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of respondents were unaware of changes to partner pensions, including the move towards risk-based coverage before retirement, which may end after an employee leaves their job, following a transitional period.

Neuvel warned that individuals who failed to maintain coverage could leave their surviving partners facing substantial losses in retirement income.

The findings were published ahead of the 16th annual Pensioen3daagse, taking place from 10 to 12 November 2026.

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