You have to take care of some of it yourself
Jaap Wertwijn worked at IBM for about 20 years. Jaap initially started at Mitsubishi and, through an outsourcing program, joined IBM in 2002. Jaap will retire soon and will receive unemployment benefits. His accrued pension will simply remain with SPIN. But what will be arranged for his wife Silvia if Jaap dies unexpectedly?
‘I wanted to know that, too, of course. ‘In January there was a presentation by IBM and SPIN about what happens to your pension when you leave employment. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there. I did watch the presentation back later, but of course I couldn’t ask questions then. After listening to the story, I still didn’t know exactly what the situation was. Not surprisingly, because my situation was quite special. But of course I wanted to know: was there or was there not a partner’s pension for my wife if I died?
‘In my case, there is only a partner’s pension with SPIN if I am employed or retired
‘
‘I know that the partner’s pension with SPIN is insured on a risk basis . So there is only a pension for my partner if I die while I am employed. If I die after my pension has started, I can also arrange a benefit for my partner. The pension plan offers me enough options for that. (ed. see the article on page 16 for that).
So during those two periods, all is well. But what if – like me – you end up on unemployment in the intervening time? That’s why I put this question to SPIN’s service desk.’
‘Fortunately the partner’s pension is also covered during the WW period
‘
‘The answer soon came. Contact with SPIN revealed that the partner’s pension is also covered throughout the WW period. But there was something else I was worried about. I am entitled to WW benefits for 2 years. When my benefit ends, I will be 64 years and 10 months old. I want to retire two months later – that is, at age 65. Suppose I die during those two months. Then my wife would be screwed if there was no partner’s pension. So I wanted to know what the situation is during those two months, when I no longer have unemployment benefits and also do not yet receive a pension from SPIN.
‘Thanks to SPIN’s service desk, I know there is a solution
‘
‘I had a lot of contact with SPIN’s service desk about this, and I received good information. I have the same options when I retire as I do on my retirement date. So I can make sure myself that the pension for my partner those two months is well taken care of with SPIN. Another option is to arrange something outside SPIN, by buying partner’s pension from an insurer.
I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. But it is reassuring that there is a solution.
‘I am already 63, but I might still find a new job in the next 2 years
‘
‘Of course, it is also possible that I will still find a new job. Although I don’t think that’s very likely. I am 63 years old, many companies are not waiting for you then. That’s why I first wanted to be sure how everything would be arranged for my wife. It’s too important not to get it right. I now know that it is. I can now concentrate better on finding work. If that succeeds, I will of course start building up a pension again. And perhaps partner’s pension as well. Although of course that won’t be much and if I find a new job, I won’t get a partner’s pension from SPIN.’
‘My wife hardly built up any pension herself
‘
”My wife worked as a pedicurist and she took care of the children. So she has hardly been employed. Silvia has hardly built up any pension because of this. 
That made it extra important for me to figure everything out. I grew up in the welfare society, just like my contemporaries who are now also in their 60s. I assumed that this too would be well taken care of. It is, but you have to look at it carefully yourself and do something for it if necessary.
So my tip to colleagues who may also be dealing with this is: make sure your partner is left well behind after your death. It can only go wrong once. You won’t even notice it yourself. But your partner is screwed!