Separating

If you separate. You will make agreements with your former partner and record them in writing. These agreements will include agreements about your pension. Read more about this on this page. You will also read which documents we need from you. This depends on your situation and the agreements you have made.

Retirement pension: distribution in the event of divorce

Are you married or were you in a registered partnership? Then your former partner will be entitled to part of your retirement pension. This is known as ‘equalisation’ and it is regulated by law.

There are 2 payment options:

We pay your former partner directly.
You receive the entire pension. You pay the agreed part to your former partner.

Would you or your former partner like us to make the payment directly? Send a form to us within 2 years of the date on which you divorce. This form is called a notification form; you can find it via www.rijksoverheid.nl(opens in new window). You can then upload it via my‑Shell Pension(opens in new window). Your former partner can also send this form to us.

How much retirement pension will my former partner receive?

By law, your former partner will be entitled to half of the retirement pension you accrued during the marriage or partnership. But the two of you may have made different arrangements. Naturally, you can also make other agreements at the time of your separation.

Are you already retired at the time of your separation? Then distribution will take place based on the pension you are already receiving.

You can also make other agreements

For example, that your former partner is not entitled to your pension. Or will receive a different percentage than half.

We invest the capital for the pension for your former partner based on the same risks profile applicable for your own capital. You can agree that your former partner will have his or her own capital (conversion). Your former partner will then have his or her own risk profile.

Record your agreements in writing, e.g. in a divorce agreement or partnership agreement. You can ask for advice about this, from a mediator or financial adviser, etc.

The partner’s pension if you separate

The partner’s pension is insured on a risk basis. Your partner will receive a benefit if you die before you retire. This insurance will stop if you divorce or your relationship ends.

But the situation is different if you die after you have retired. In this situation, your former partner will be entitled to a benefit by law (this is called: the special partner’s pension). But the two of you may have made different arrangements. Consider together all the other consequences that will happen if you or your former partner die before or after you retire. Make agreements about this together when you separate.

Notify us of your agreements

We always follow the rules pursuant to law. Have you made other agreements? Then send copies of the following pages from your prenuptial or postnuptial agreement or partnership agreement or divorce agreement:

the first page, showing the names of you and your former partner
the page that shows your pension arrangements
the last page, signed by you and your former partner

Were you single or not a registered partner? Or were you living abroad?

Then deregister your partner with us. Do this via the Partner deregistration form (pdf)(opens in new window).

Were you married or divorced abroad? If so, send copies of these documents too:

your marriage certificate or partnership certificate
the document proving your divorce or the termination of your registered partnership

Frequently asked questions about separation

Are you separating from your partner? This has consequences for the partner's pension and possibly also for your accrued pension capital. Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Your former partner’s retirement pension will start at the same time as your retirement pension. It will stop when you die. Have the two of you chosen conversion? Then your former partner will decide when the retirement pension will start.

Your children will continue to be insured for an orphan’s pension until they reach the age of 25. Even if they are not registered at your address. They will receive a benefit if you die before your retirement date and are still employed by Shell.

Any entitlement that your former partner had to pension will lapse. This money will then be added to your pension capital again. Have the two of you chosen conversion? Then the death will no have any consequences for your pension capital.

Each former partner could be entitled to part of the pension. It all depends on the agreements you made when you separated.

Yes, this is possible. Discuss this with us. Because we need to agree and you will have to document the agreements in the presence of a civil-law notary. This is called the transfer of special partner’s pension.

Your situation changes

Read how a change in your situation affects your pension.

Leaving Shell

Leaving Shell employment? Your pension accrual with Shell Pension will stop, but you will remain entitled to the pension you have already accrued.

Working more or less

Are you going to work more or less? Your salary will change and this will have consequences for your pension accrual. Even if you are going to work more or less temporarily.

Taking leave

The pension you receive depends on your salary. Are you planning to take leave? For example, extended post-birth leave or a sabbatical? Then your salary will usually be lower and you will accrue less pension.

Working abroad

Are you going to work abroad for Shell? Your pension accrual may change. Will the Netherlands still be your Base Country? Then you will continue to be a participant of Shell Pension. However, you will only accrue AOW benefit if you are living in the Netherlands.

Incapacity for work

Do you have an incapacity for work? Then Shell will, firstly, continue to pay the salary and pension contributions applicable before your incapacity for work. Your pension accrual will continue. Often, you will leave the employment of Shell partially or in full after 2 years. What happens if you then start to receive a benefit? Then there will be consequences for your pension accrual. Read more about this on this page.

Death

Your pension scheme on death. Our pension scheme offers different types of pension for your partner and children. On this page you can read about them, how they are arranged by default and the choices you have.

For your partner

Pension for your partner? With or without a cohabitation contract, married or registered partners. Your partner will often be entitled to a partner’s pension if you die while you are in the employment of Shell. See this page for information about what to do to arrange this and how it works.

Children

Insurance for your children. As a parent, you obviously want the best for your children. Especially if something happens to you. That’s why we offer your children an orphan's pension: if you die before your retirement date and are in our employment at the time, your children will receive a benefit.

Moving house

Are you moving house? If you move within the Netherlands, we automatically receive your new address from your local municipality. This does not apply if you move abroad or within another country. Got a new phone number or email address? Please let us know.

Overview

Choices for your pension