Duration and supervision
The court decides admission and any clean-slate discharge. Admission before 1 July 2023 generally involved three years; later admission normally involves 18 months. Special circumstances may change the duration. Discharge is not automatic and does not mean every possible debt disappears.
The Wsnp administrator supervises your obligations and the estate. This role differs from protective administration or day-to-day budgeting. Clarify who handles everyday payments and follow the estate-account arrangements.
Pension income and the vtlb
AOW, supplementary pensions and annuity payments are income you must report. The administrator calculates the retained living allowance (vtlb) using the current calculator and report. Income above it goes to the estate account. The amount depends on circumstances and applicable adjustments; there is no universal pensioner allowance.
Report changes in pensions, benefits, household and expenses immediately. Ask for the calculation and recalculation when relevant facts change. A pension increase is not automatically yours to spend in full.
Accrued rights and surrender
Regular unpaid pension rights differ from accessible savings. Life insurance and annuities have specific rules on surrender, protection and possible unreasonable disadvantage. Have the administrator and, where necessary, supervising judge assess these. Not every capital policy is automatically protected, and not every surrender payment automatically belongs entirely to the estate.
Discuss early retirement, deferral, additional contributions or a surrender offer beforehand. These choices can affect income, work obligations and future cover. Do not route money to relatives to keep it outside assessment.
After completion
The Central Insolvency Register remains publicly searchable until six months after publication of termination, not automatically five years. Other registers can have different rules. Contact your municipality for debt assistance; during the procedure, contact your Wsnp administrator.
What does BPH do?
Bureau Pensioen Hulp has no AFM licence. BPH provides general education and, on request, can introduce you to an external adviser using contact details only. BPH does not provide personal product recommendations, compare products for you or mediate in arranging them. Check an external adviser’s authorisation, services and fees yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does a new Wsnp procedure always last three years?
No. Since 1 July 2023 the usual term is 18 months, with possible exceptions.
May I accept a pension surrender myself?
Discuss it with your administrator beforehand. Protection and consequences need separate assessment.
Sources and reference date
Reference date: 28 October 2026. Check your own scheme and current conditions before deciding.