Players contribute a portion of their gross earnings to CFK throughout their professional career in the Netherlands. These contributions are used to build up a personal fund. After their active football career ends they receive monthly benefit payments from their individual fund. The amount and duration of the benefits depends on the individual fund balance.
FAQ
Antwoord:
Antwoord:
Many people think professional football players don’t need to work after their active football career ends. That may be true for a handful of players, but the large majority of ex-pro footballers have to find a new career.
It’s often not easy for them to find a job, since many have had no education beyond secondary school. So they have to catch up on their lack of qualifications. And when they do find work, they often have to start at the bottom of the ladder. That means a modest salary, while their costs have continued at the same level as before the abrupt end of their active football career.
The bridging pension gives footballers a temporary basic income to bridge the gap until they settle in a new career. They can use their period on benefits to gain work experience, continue their education or set up in business.
Antwoord:
Yes, the bridging pension is compulsory for all professional players who are under contract to a Dutch club. Dispensation is sometimes obtainable. For the conditions under which dispensation may be granted please contact CFK.
Antwoord:
Contributions are deducted from gross income, which means they are free of tax and social insurance premiums. Members pay tax and social insurance on the bridging benefits they receive later as income. CFK deducts these levies at source from each monthly payment. The balance held in a bridging pension is not considered a capital in Box III (income tax). Participants receiving a pension receive an annual statement of their fund balance at the end of each calendar year.
Antwoord:
Players pay a percentage of their professional earnings into the bridging pension each month. The size of these contributions depends on their income. Contribution levels are based on the fund contributio table.
Antwoord:
By the end of his active football career the player will have built up a balance in his personal CFK bridging pension, including a return on investment added each year. The bridging pension will then be paid out in monthly instalments. Subject to certain limits members can opt to receive benefits over a shorter or longer period, based on the following table. The CFK seeks to increase benefit levels yearly in line with inflation.
Antwoord:
No, benefits are not guaranteed. But thanks to a defensive investment policy and the way benefit levels are set, there’s a very strong likelihood they will simply continue to the end of the defined period. Whenever possible, benefit levels go up annually by the same percentage as price inflation.
Antwoord:
If a participant should pass away his right to benefit payments passes to his partner. His partner will then receive the entire bridging pension to which the participant was entitled. If he/she has no partner but does have children, the fund when he dies is paid out as a lump sum to his children. If the participant has no partner and no children, his individual balance reverts to the fund. The balance goes toward the benefits of other participants.