Peter Boelsma (68), retired, former ING and NN

Peter Boelsma worked at WestlandUtrecht for 39 years, later continuing his career at ING and then for another five years at NN. His career came to an end due to a reorganisation at NN Bank. He chose to receive a lower pension first, followed by a higher pension later. “This seemed like a logical choice since we had enough income at first,” he explains.

When asked how he’s enjoying retirement, Peter laughs: “I’m keeping myself busy”. He found a meaningful role supporting bus drivers who transport children with mental and physical disabilities. “That’s how I became a bus supervisor. I work on a voluntary basis, but I do receive a small compensation. While medical knowledge isn’t required, it’s important to know how to handle certain situations and to stay alert at all times.” He finds the work extremely meaningful and enjoys doing it. In addition, he volunteers at a hockey club and helps a friend with a severe physical disability.

Why did you choose for a First less, than more regulation?
“Since we currently have other income to rely on, we chose to receive a lower pension first and a higher one later, which was for us the ideal option. My wife is an A&E nurse at the AMC and is nine years younger than I am. Thanks to this arrangement, she’ll be able to retire at 60 years old, without us having to make financial sacrifices. This way, we can start enjoying our free time together.”

Thanks to this arrangement, my wife can retire at 60 years old without us having to compromise financially

For Peter, opting for a lower pension first and then a higher one was an easy decision. “It was all very simple to arrange, just a matter of filling out the form. A piece of cake, really,” he says. “I first thought about what we wanted and then my wife and I went through the options together.” With his background in finance, Peter took a structured approach. “I put my income in a sheet, mapping out my income over several years. I also included my wife’s income per month. That way, we quickly got a clear picture of the different possibilities,” he explains. He also used the CDC Pensioenfonds website, where the different choices were clearly outlined.

“We want to enjoy life while we still can; we have seen too many times how it can suddenly be over,” he says. Both he and his wife are very happy with their decision. They want to spend more time with their two sons and already have a couple of trips on their wish list, including South Africa, Bonaire and Iceland. They also love playing golf together. “When I retired, a friend gave me a folder full of suggestions and activities, to make sure I didn’t fall into a slump. So far, I haven’t needed it at all,” he adds with a laugh.