Social security benefits

The social security benefits shown here are gross benefits. This means taxes and premiums have to be paid on part of the benefits. There are great differences within the EU between the gross and net benefits. A preliminary study commissioned by Eurostat shows that the Netherlands charges large amounts of premiums and taxes on the benefits paid, in comparison to other European countries.

Statistics Netherlands compiles these statistics by using the same sources used in compiling the national accounts. These are direct sources, such as financial data supplied by pension funds, monthly, quarterly and annual reports by the institutions providing social security, government institutions and other administrators. Indirect sources are also used, such as information from the Health Care Insurance Board (CVZ), the Dutch Association of Insurers and De Nederlandsche Bank.