The municipality will inform us directly of a marriage or registered partnership. You do not have to make any additional arrangements for your partner to be eligible for a partner’s pension. In other forms of cohabitation, your partner is not automatically entitled to partner's pension on your death. In order for your partner to be entitled to partner’s pension, you have to meet certain conditions, such as having a cohabitation agreement executed by a civil-law notary. You can register your partner using this form.
At the IFF pension fund, you accrue retirement and partner's pension and are insured for an orphan's pension. The retirement pension is for you. The partner's pension is for your partner (if applicable) in the event of your death. The orphan's pension is for your surviving children. The exact arrangements for your partner and children depend on your situation and the choices you make.
If you die before you retire
The partner's pension is 70% of the retirement pension that you would have accrued if you had continued to work for IFF until your retirement date (your 67th birthday). Your partner receives this partner's pension for life. Your children receive an orphan's pension. Each child receives 14% of the retirement pension that you would have accrued had you continued to work for IFF until your retirement date.
If you die after leaving employment
Your partner receives the partner's pension that you accrued during your employment with IFF. If you leave employment, your children are no longer insured for orphan's pension. Unless you opted to convert part of your retirement pension into an orphan's pension when you left employment. In this case your children each receive 14% of the reduced retirement pension that you have accrued during your employment with IFF.
If you die after you retire
Your partner receives a partner's pension after your death. This is approximately 70% of your accrued retirement pension as standard, but can also be more or less. How much pension your partner ultimately receives depends on the choices you make when you retire.
At the beginning of your retirement you can:
- Exchange all or part of the partner's pension for a higher retirement pension for yourself.
- Exchange all or part of your retirement pension for a higher partner's pension for your partner.
The partner's pension may not exceed 70% of the reduced retirement pension.
Benefit from the government
In the past, surviving dependants often received a benefit from the government under the Surviving Dependants Act. A wide range of restrictions means that many surviving dependants are no longer eligible for these benefits. Your surviving dependants may therefore face a loss of income in the event of your death. If you wish to avoid this, you need to make your own arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not have to register your partner if you are married or have a registered partnership. You do need to register your partner if you have a cohabitation agreement. You will then be sent additional information and a form to complete and return to the fund.
- You and your partner must have concluded a cohabitation agreement executed by a civil-law notary for your partner to be eligible for partner’s pension.
- Your relationship must have commenced before your retirement date.
- Your partner must be notified to the pension fund.
If you have an ex-partner who is entitled to special partner’s pension, this special partner’s pension will be deducted from the partner’s pension.