What happens to AOW and the death benefit after someone dies?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
AOW stops the day after death. SVB settles holiday pay and any overpaid AOW. A partner normally receives the death benefit automatically; if it is missing, a claim must be made within one year of death.
On this page
1. When does AOW stop?
Record the date of death and retain recent AOW statements. Entitlement ends the next day, not at month-end. Part of a monthly payment already received may therefore need repayment.
2. What happens to holiday pay?
Holiday pay accrues from May through the date of death. For someone living alone, SVB pays it into the deceased's account. Overpaid AOW is offset; a remaining debt may still be payable. With a partner, the death benefit may also be used for the offset.
3. Who receives the death benefit?
A partner normally receives the death benefit automatically, except where permanently separated. Without a partner, children under 18 may qualify; without such children, someone living with the deceased as a family in one home may qualify. Inheritance status alone does not establish entitlement.
4. What changes for the partner?
If the partner has their own AOW, SVB automatically raises it to the single-person amount from the month of death. Below AOW age, Anw may be possible, for example when caring for a child under 18 or at least 45% incapacitated for work; other Anw conditions also need assessment.
5. Where are records and the annual statement?
The deceased's Mijn SVB access is no longer available after death. SVB sends a letter with the annual statement, to the last address for someone who lived alone. Keep the paper statement for income tax; SVB cannot send it digitally.
6. How do I check settlement?
Compare death date, monthly payment, holiday pay and offsets against the letter. If a death benefit is missing and you may qualify, contact SVB: claim within one year of death. Explain your relationship or household and retain the response and payment evidence.
I am an heir. Do I always receive the AOW death benefit?
No. It has its own order: partner, then minor children, then possibly a family household member. Being an heir alone is insufficient.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Date of death and latest statement
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Date of death and latest statement
- Final monthly AOW payment
- Holiday pay and offsets
- Partner, minor children or family household
- Letter and paper annual statement
- SVB contact and one-year limit
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
SVB · Iemand met AOW is overleden ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.