What is the impact of the second pillar on your pension accrual?
- 20/07/2026
- Posted by: Rosalie Derksen
- Category: Uncategorized
Track 2 reintegration affects your pension accrual, but the extent of that impact depends heavily on the stage you are in. As long as the employment contract remains in place and salary continuation applies, you will in most cases continue to accrue pension as normal. It is only when the employment ends and you transition to unemployment benefits that the situation changes. This article answers the most frequently asked questions about pension accrual during track 2 reintegration.
What happens to your pension accrual during track 2?
During track 2 reintegration, you generally continue to accrue pension as normal, as long as your employment contract is still active. Track 2 begins while the employment relationship is still in place and the employer is legally required to continue paying your salary. Pension accrual is tied to that employment contract and therefore continues in most cases.
It is important to understand that track 2 is not a consequence of dismissal, but a reintegration obligation during sick leave. Around weeks 46 to 52, an assessment is made as to whether track 1 has produced insufficient results and whether track 2 needs to be initiated. Up to that point — and beyond it, as long as the employment continues — pension accrual remains intact in principle.
Whether you actually accrue pension also depends on the terms of your pension scheme. Some schemes link accrual to the hours actually worked, while others tie it to the employment contract itself. Consult your pension regulations or contact your pension fund to find out the specific conditions that apply to your situation.
Does pension accrual stop upon dismissal after track 2?
Yes, when the employment contract ends following track 2, active pension accrual through the employer stops. Once the employment ends, the pension accrual that was running through that employer also ceases. The pension you have already built up is preserved, but nothing more is added through that employer.
After dismissal, you will typically move on to unemployment benefits. During the unemployment period, different rules apply to pension accrual, depending on the pension fund you were affiliated with. Some funds offer voluntary continuation, allowing you to pay contributions yourself to temporarily maintain accrual. However, this is not always possible and comes with costs.
It is advisable to contact your pension fund immediately after the employment ends to map out the exact consequences and explore which options are available.
What is the difference between pension accrual under track 1 and track 2?
The key difference is that track 1 focuses on returning to your current employer, while track 2 focuses on finding work outside the current organization. During the sick leave period itself, this makes little difference for pension accrual: under both tracks, the employment contract continues and you accrue pension for as long as salary continuation applies.
The difference only becomes relevant if track 2 leads to the termination of the employment contract. With a successful track 1 reintegration, you remain employed and pension accrual continues uninterrupted. With track 2, the employment ultimately ends, after which your pension accrual starts fresh with a new employer — potentially under different terms and with a different pension fund.
That difference can be noticeable in the long run, especially if there is a period without work or with reduced benefits in between. The longer the interruption, the greater the potential pension loss.
How does receiving unemployment benefits affect pension accrual?
While receiving unemployment benefits, you will in most cases not accrue pension through an employer. Unemployment benefits are paid by the UWV and fall outside the pension scheme of your previous employer. The pension you had accrued up to that point remains intact, but does not continue to grow.
Some industry-wide pension funds offer arrangements under which pension accrual is partially continued during the unemployment period. This varies considerably between funds and sectors, so it should not be taken for granted.
Do you want to continue accruing pension while receiving unemployment benefits? In some cases, the following options may be available:
- Voluntary continuation through the pension fund of your previous employer
- Individual annuity accrual through an insurer or bank
- A swift return to work, keeping the unemployment period as short as possible
The shorter the period without work, the more limited the impact on your total pension accrual. This makes a proactive approach to reintegration worthwhile from a pension perspective as well.
What can you do to limit pension loss during track 2?
Pension loss during track 2 cannot always be avoided, but you can limit the damage by taking timely action. The sooner you find new employment, the smaller the interruption in your pension accrual.
Concrete steps you can take:
- Contact your pension fund immediately when the employment ends or is at risk of ending.
- Ask about the options for voluntary continuation of pension accrual.
- Find out whether your new employer offers a comparable or better pension scheme.
- Consider supplementary pension accrual through an annuity if the pension scheme at your new employer is less favorable.
- Ensure an active and focused reintegration process to keep the period without work as short as possible.
Good guidance during track 2 plays an important role in this. A track 2 reintegration program that operates quickly and with clear direction reduces the likelihood of a lengthy unemployment period — and with it, the risk of pension loss.
Who is responsible for your pension during track 2 reintegration?
During track 2 reintegration, the employer is responsible for pension accrual, as long as the employment contract and salary continuation remain in place. The employer pays the pension contributions and ensures they are remitted to the pension fund. Once the employment ends, the employee is personally responsible for safeguarding their own pension interests.
The UWV plays no role in pension accrual during the reintegration process. The UWV assesses after the fact whether sufficient reintegration efforts have been made and can impose a wage sanction if those efforts are deemed inadequate. However, the remittance of pension contributions falls entirely outside the UWV’s involvement.
After the employment ends, responsibility shifts entirely to the employee. It is then up to you to act promptly, contact the pension fund, and explore which options are available to continue or supplement your accrual.
How UFIND supports track 2 reintegration and pension security
A well-executed track 2 program is the best protection against unnecessary pension loss. The sooner someone finds suitable new employment, the smaller the interruption in pension accrual. That is precisely what UFIND focuses on.
We support employees who cannot be redeployed internally with a personalized, results-driven program. In practice, this means:
- A tailored program aligned with the employee’s unique situation
- Guidance from a single dedicated coach throughout the entire process
- Application of the ACT methodology to turn limiting thoughts into concrete action
- Recruitment expertise that directly contributes to a faster return to work
- Attention to complex situations and challenging labor markets
Want to know what a track 2 program through UFIND can mean for your employee? Get in touch and we will discuss the possibilities.
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- What is the role of the UWV in Track 2?