Self employed - Belgian pension rights/rules? - Belgium forum

Self employed - Belgian pension rights/rules?

Post new topic

Member since 15 May 2019

smoothoundNew member15 May 2019 09:44:51

Hi folks, advice based on experience hoped for..... Has anyone worked as an independent in Belgium and now retired?

I worked self-employed in Brussels for 3 years around 20 years ago, paying into an authorised social security fund as required by Belgian law.聽 I am now 65 and repatriated to the UK to retire a few years ago. My pension pot must be tiny.

I have contacted the Belgian pension authority via the UK pensions agency, looking to claim some kind of rebate? or micro-pension?......聽聽 Still awaiting their decision. The process is very slow and meticulous - I have no problem with that.

Does anyone know what the rules or my rights are?聽聽...聽聽 If they grant me a pension, can I claim a lump-sum rebate? ......or transfer of my tiny pension-pot to a UK fund?聽聽It can't be worth the admin costs to send me 2 Euros per month for life. That is not in anyone's interest.

What can I expect to happen?聽 (aside from mild disappointment)

Many thanks in advance

akarneluti Member

Member since 09 July 2014

akarnelutiMember20 May 2019 14:02:13

Hi,

As self-employed you paid for your pension during work in belgium. Belgian pension fund should have your record of payment . This pension fund ( I presume it is INASTI - but there is also English but not so detailed as Franch) regularly send a notice that you will be 65 and has right to get the pension. Maybe your address wasn't accurate, but you still can ask the Belgian fund the state of your request ( I don't know how UK bureaucracy is efficient). This request should not cost you a dime! Amount of your pension depends how much you paid for social security .

For example I have paid cca 2100 EUR for 8 months and my pension is 85 EUR/year (which is more then zero)

So my advice is to contact them and get what you have paid!

Kind regards and good luck! Be patient!

Sasha

smoothound New member

Member since 15 May 2019

smoothoundNew member20 May 2019 14:36:00

Thanks Sasha - that was helpful

Articles to help you in your expat project in Belgium

Working in Antwerp
Antwerp is famous for its harbor and diamonds. It's located in Flanders, north of Belgium. Conditions apply to ...
Working in Leuven
Leuven is located within the Flanders region in Belgium. It's a Dutch-speaking city that offers opportunities ...
Working in Charleroi
Charleroi is a French-speaking town located in the Walloon region in Belgium. It is an industrial center, which ...
Finding work in Brussels
Home to a diverse array of peoples, cultures, and languages, Brussels is a very multicultural city that is popular ...
Working in Li猫ge
Li猫ge is the economic capital of Wallonia and is a French-speaking city. The area's recently recovered ...
Working in Namur
Namur is the capital city of the province of Wallonia. The city is surrounded by Liege, Brussels, and Charleroi. ...
Doing an internship in Belgium
Students usually have to do an internship to validate their academic training. What's the process of doing an ...
Starting a business in Belgium
Thanks to its geographical location in central Europe, Belgium has become one of the most popular countries to ...