Make a plan and make sure it doesn't stay a plan
When you started a new job, you probably weighed the employment conditions and tried not to look only at the salary but at the complete reward package, which probably comprises around ten employment conditions. Pension, the topic of this article, is one of them. It might be your first introduction to this theme.
The sooner the better
Pension is an important theme for everyone, including younger people. The sooner you start, the better. For example, if you'd like to retire early, making a plan is very important. You might not be thinking of your retirement yet, but of course you do think about your expenses. You might be setting aside savings to buy a house so your housing expenses will be lower later in life. Or, if you already own a house, you might be looking to find a good balance for your finances, for example between investments, savings and paying off some of your mortgage.
"Make a plan and make sure it doesn't stay a plan"
Thrifty or not, at least be aware
Are you the thrifty type of person or are you more of a spender? Do you spend your money on clothing, gadgets or perhaps on small things, like ‘coffee to go’ or drinks with friends at cafés? Do you prefer saving holiday moments or saving money? It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you at least try to set aside some savings every month. Keep an eye on how much you can spend, so you know where your money is going. What counts is awareness about what you're spending your money on, and how much.
Questions about pension?
If you’d like to find out more about your pension, or if you have any specific questions, just ask. It's easy via the website. After all, understanding the theme of pension is important. So, for instance, you don't forget to register your partner if you’re living together without a cohabitation contract. And so you know how pension works and what types of pension there are. There's so much to learn. Think of old age pension, partner pension, funding ratio… We've posted an elaborate glossary on the website. Have a look for yourself.
Message
Be aware of the expenses you expect to have in the future and how much you want to spend. Make some sort of plan to set out what you'd like to do until your retirement. Make it specific, so you know where you stand rather than just make plans.