However, the Agreement does not determine the amount of this bonus or specify when it should be awarded. It is up to each individual university to decide on these matters. At VU Amsterdam, employees receive a bonus after 25, 40 and 50 years of service:
The amount of the bonus is:
- 70% of the gross one monthly salary after 25 years’ service;
- 100% of the gross monthly salary after 40 or 50 years’ service.
Calculating the term of service
When calculating an employee’s years of service, the university not only counts the years worked at VU Amsterdam but also the years during which the employee has worked for other employers affiliated with the ABP Pension Fund, such as other universities, government bodies, semi-government bodies and organizations that are (or were formerly) state owned. If, while in the service of a previous employer, you accumulated public-sector period of employment that qualify for inclusion under this scheme, then you would be well advised to notify VU Amsterdam about this immediately. Use the Take action now button on this page for this purpose.
Tax matters
In consultation with the employees’ association in the University Local Consultative Committee (UCLO), it has been decided that, as of 1 January 2018, all employment anniversary bonuses will be paid out untaxed.
Bonus in proportion to the number of years of service
You may still be eligible for a bonus if you resigned while you would have made it to an anniversary date had you not resigned and would have attained the state-retirement age that applies to you within five years of your retirement date. This is the case if your retirement is the result of a reorganization or permanent incapacity for work owing to illness, or because you have opted for the General Pension Fund for Public Employees (ABP) multi-choice pension. This bonus is calculated in proportion to the number of years of service.
More information
Collective Labour Agreement - Article 3.18