Many disabled people forget to apply for a pension from ABP
Pension fund ABP has discovered through new data techniques that 16 thousand people with disabilities who are affiliated with the fund are entitled to a disability pension. “It concerns a total amount of one billion euros that will remain,” says AObpolicy advisor Roelf van der Ploeg, who sits in the Pension Chamber for the ABP on behalf of the union.
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A total of three million employees of the government and education are affiliated to the large pension fund. Van der Ploeg estimates that a considerable group of disabled people from education are entitled to the benefit, but have not applied for it. “I think it concerns five to seven thousand teaching staff. Especially because the burnout average is high in education. ”
Request
Employees who become incapacitated for work are entitled to a disability pension. “You receive this pension right after you have been rejected,” says Van der Ploeg. However, people must apply for this themselves – just like with the regular pension. “For the first time, the files of the UWV and ABP benefits agency have been linked. Now the true size of the group of people who do not receive this pension, while they are entitled to it, has become apparent," says the policy advisor.
Now the true size of the group of people who do not receive this pension, while they are entitled to it, has become apparent
Build up
In addition, if the disability pension is not applied for, the non-contributory pension accrual is not 'activated' either. “People who are unfit for work continue to accrue pension and save for their retirement pension without having to pay premiums. That involves large sums when it comes to pension accrual,” says Van der Ploeg.
The ABP is going from today actively approach the group that has forgotten to apply for their disability pension. Most people will find a letter on the mat today. The fund will also pay out money retroactively. Van der Ploeg: "That is very good, because it concerns a vulnerable group of people who often have something else on their mind."
More information can be found on the website of the ABP pension fund.
