Widow Pension
What is the widow pension (AWW)?
The Widow and Orphan Insurance (Algemene Wezen- en Weduwenverzekering of AWW) is an insurance for all persons that covers the financial consequences of the passing away of a spouse who is an insured person. When a person becomes a widow/er, they are eligible to receive a widow pension according to the AWW law.
Who receives the widow pension?
The widow pension is for a person whose spouse passed away. The insurance covers all married couples up to pension age.
When a widow/er reaches the pension age, their pension expires and the widow/er can apply for an old-age pension. A person who receives a widow pension does not automatically receive an old-age pension when he reaches pension age. He/she must apply at SVb again to receive an old-age pension.
Also, if a widow/er remarries, the widow pension expires.
How much is the widow pension?
The age and amount for a widow pension are:
-
- Up to 39 years: Afl. 574,- per month.
- From 40 to 48 years of age: Afl. 770,- per month.
From the 1st of January 2015 the age of Widow Pension has been changed. During a period of 10 years, each year the maximum age will increase with 6 months for those of 58 years and more. See table below:
| From | Age for Afl. 972,- per month | Age for Afl. 1.265,- per month |
| 1st January 2015 | 49 to 58,5 years old | 58,5 to 60,5 years old |
| 1st January 2016 | 49 to 59 years old | 59 to 61 years old |
| 1st January 2017 | 49 to 59,5 years old | 59,5 to 61,5 years old |
| 1st January 2018 | 49 to 60 years old | 60 to 62 years old |
| 1st January 2019 | 49 to 60,5 years old | 60,5 to 62,5 years old |
| 1st January 2020 | 49 to 61 years old | 61 to 63 years old |
| 1st January 2021 | 49 to 61,5 years old | 61,5 to 63,5 years old |
| 1st January 2022 | 49 to 62 years old | 62 to 64 years old |
| 1st January 2023 | 49 to 62,5 years old | 62,5 to 64,5 years old |
| 1st January 2024 | 49 to 63 years old | 63 to 65 years old |
If a widow/er has children attending school, the widow/er receives the sum of Afl. 1.265,- per month until the children reach the age of 25, or until the widow/er remarries, or until the children stop attending school.
These amounts do not include the reparatietoeslag (repair supplement).
Reparatietoeslag (repair supplement)
The reparatietoeslag is a compensation that the Government of Aruba grants, through the SVb, to the pensioner. The reparatietoeslag is not part of the AOV pension.
The Government of Aruba has made the decision that every person who is:
- registered at the Civil registry of Aruba;
- receives an AOV/AWW pension through SVb Aruba;
receives the reparatietoeslag of Afl. 170,- monthly.
How can a widow/er apply for a widow pension?
Applications for the widow pension are done through the SVb Pension Portal. Open https://pensioenen.svbaruba.org and follow the next steps:
- Register as a new user: follow the steps to create a new user account for the MiPensioen portal. Take into account that a valid email must be provided. The password must contain 6 characters or more, and must have at least:
- one upper case (capital) letter (A-Z)
- one lowercase letter (a-z)
- one number (0-9)
- one special character, for instance: (!@#$%*?)
- When the registration is done the system sends a confirmation email. Check your spam or junkmail folder for the confirmation mail.
- After confirming the account use the previously registered username and password to log in.
- In the main screen there is the option to fill out a new application. Follow these steps.
To finalize the application the following digital documents must be provided:
- A valid passport, driver’s license or identification card of the applicant.
- Death certificate.
- An official document with the bank account number.
Instructional video for Widowers:
https://youtu.be/i6knycMDwEg
Aditional terms for those living abroad
In case the person applying for the widow pension does not live on Aruba or in the Netherlands, he/she is obliged to give a proof of life certificate (written evidence that the person is alive) at the time of application.
After the application is approved, the person living abroad must see that SVb receives proof of life every 3 to 6 months. SVb does not accept a copy of the proof of life certificate. Those who live abroad can hand in the proof of life certificate at:
- In some cases at the SVb in the former Netherlands Antilles.
- In some cases, at the Embassy of the Netherlands.
The proof of life certificate is obtained at the government office, lawyer, or notary.
Personal Change
In case of a personal change of status, the widow or widower must notify SVb within two weeks in writing. This in the case of, but not limited to:
- Personal data change (address, telephone number, bank account).
- In case a widow/er goes to live outside of Aruba or reestablishes himself/herself on Aruba.
- In case a widow/er gets married.
- In case the children of a widow/er no longer attends school.
In case of a change in a personal situation, this may have consequences for the pension amount. The widow/er must keep SVb up to date with any changes of their personal situation. If SVb unrightfully pays pension, SVb has the right to claim back the unrightfully paid amount.
Termination of pension
The widow pension is terminated under the following circumstances:
- When the widow/er remarries.
- When the widow/er reaches pension age. The widow/er must apply to SVb to receive the old-age pension when the pension age is reached.
More information
For more information contact the Pension Department:
- via Whatsapp 527-2760 (messages only, cannot receive calls)
- via email pensioenen@svbaruba.org
- via phone 527-2760
- via the contact form
The Pension Departament is open from Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
