Here’s a harsh reality: the new pension system is set to disproportionately harm young working women, particularly those juggling unpaid caregiving responsibilities. And this is the part most people miss—while the system aims to benefit younger employees by offering more pension for every euro contributed, it fails to account for the unique challenges women face in their 20s and 30s, the very years that now carry the most weight in pension accrual.
Starting January 1, several pension funds will adopt this new model, which favors young men but leaves many young women at a disadvantage. Why? Because, as reported by AD (https://www.ad.nl/economie/nieuwe-pensioenstelsel-treft-jonge-werkende-vrouw~a7bc2fde/), three-quarters of women in this age group work part-time, often to care for children or manage other unpaid tasks. This disparity is further exacerbated by the persistent wage gap—women in the Netherlands still earn an average of 10.5 percent less per hour than men (https://nltimes.nl/2025/12/11/wage-gap-decreasing-dutch-private-sector-women-still-earn-61-less-per-hour), according to recent data.
A 2021 study by Netspar revealed that women accrue 40 to 45 percent less pension than men on average. This isn’t just about lower wages; it’s also about the types of jobs women hold and the societal expectations placed on them. But here’s where it gets controversial—while we’ve made strides in recognizing shared caregiving responsibilities, the financial burden still disproportionately falls on women. Karin Jakobsen, founder of BrightPensioen, puts it bluntly: “Three-quarters of women work part-time, primarily because they shoulder more caregiving duties. That unpaid work directly undermines their pension accrual.”
Jakobsen argues that tax benefits, which are currently tied to salaries, need a rethink. “If you earn less, you benefit less—it’s that simple. We need a system that rewards unpaid work too,” she says. “Paid work isn’t the only contribution to society, yet it’s the only one that’s financially acknowledged. That’s a glaring inequality.”
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Should unpaid caregiving be factored into pension calculations? Jakobsen believes it should, and she’s not alone. She also emphasizes the role of partners in achieving financial equality. “Start the conversation at home,” she advises. “Discussing financial responsibilities now can prevent a pension deficit later in life.”
This issue isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fairness and recognizing the value of all work, paid or unpaid. If we don’t address this now, the pension gap will only widen. What do you think? Is it time to redefine how we value work and build a system that truly supports everyone?
