News item | 04-10-2023 | 12:34
A large number of Surinamese Dutch people who came to the Netherlands prior to independence in 1975 will be entitled to a one-off amount of €5,000. The cabinet has finally decided that.
The government wants to make a gesture of recognition because of the suffering and injustice experienced by this group. Elderly people who meet the conditions do not have to do anything themselves. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) will automatically transfer the amount. Prior to payment, the SVB will send an announcement letter in June 2024.
Eligible are elderly people of Surinamese origin who, in connection with independence, have consciously chosen to live in the Netherlands no later than November 25, 1975, previously lived in Suriname, were 18 years or older at the time and had lived in the Netherlands for at least 20 years on July 1, 2024. have lived in the Netherlands. This group expected that their years in Suriname would count towards their AOW pension, as Suriname was still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the time. However, this turned out not to be the case, which means they receive a lower state pension.
Minister Carola Schouten for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions: “This arrangement has a long history and it took a long time before these people were heard. I have spoken to several Surinamese elderly people about the expectations they had when they came to the Netherlands. The Sylvester Committee has previously expressed their stories powerfully. It is good that we are taking this step today to make a gesture. We hope to do justice to their experiences.”
Final decision
The government already announced in May that it intended to make such a gesture. This was subsequently discussed with the House of Representatives and advice was requested from the Council of State this summer. This now makes it possible for the cabinet to make a final decision.
Elderly people who do not receive a letter from the SVB in June 2024 and think they are entitled to the amount, can contact the SVB themselves for two years. This is possible from July 1, 2024. People who do not want to receive the amount can inform the SVB after receiving the announcement letter. The amount to be received has no negative consequences for receiving allowances or other income schemes such as the supplementary income provision for the elderly (AIO).