I don’t want to pay pension contributions in order to have more net pay left over. Is this possible?

No, it is not possible to avoid paying pension contributions as this would be contrary to Dutch law.

Why pension contributions cannot be skipped

In the Netherlands, pension arrangements are often organised collectively. Depending on the sector you work in, participation in a pension scheme may be mandatory. This means you cannot simply choose to stop paying contributions to increase your net salary, even if you would prefer to arrange your retirement savings differently.

What this means for your payslip

If a pension scheme applies to your job, your payslip can include a pension deduction. In many cases, both the employer and the employee contribute. The exact amount depends on the client, sector rules, and the pension provider.