Exceptions to AOW Voluntary Insurance Abroad for Residents of Utrecht

For residents of Utrecht considering emigration, the AOW voluntary insurance has various exceptions that are essential to prevent financial surprises. For example, if you move from Utrecht to a treaty country such as Australia or Canada, automatic coverage often applies without the need to pay voluntary premiums via the SVB in Amstelveen. For non-treaty countries such as Thailand or the US, voluntary insurance remains mandatory to avoid gaps in your AOW accrual, particularly relevant for residents of Utrecht with international careers via Utrecht Science Park or Schiphol flights. A crucial exception is 'fictitious insurance' for those who lived in the Netherlands before 1951, possibly in the Utrecht city centre, and emigrated. EU citizens from Utrecht benefit from more lenient rules thanks to Regulation 883/2004, handy for temporary internships in Europe. If absent for longer than six months from your Utrecht address, you risk losing entitlement, unless you submit an application to the SVB in time – consult the Utrecht expat counter at the municipality for assistance. Note: dual nationality may forfeit rights if you declare another country of residence. Practical for residents of Utrecht: check your status via the SVB counter or Utrecht pension advisors. If you exceed the reference date (five years before AOW age), you must catch up on premiums, sometimes with retroactive effect. This keeps your Utrecht pension secure.