Pensions and Early Retirement Move Higher on the Agenda in the Landscaping Sector

NEWS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Frank van de Ven, Saturday 16 May 2026

81 sec

The RVU early retirement scheme, pensions and sustainable employability remain important topics within the sector

Changes surrounding pensions and early retirement are becoming increasingly prominent within the landscaping sector. Employers and employees are facing changes to the pension system, rising premiums and discussions about sustainable employability. At the same time, discussions are continuing within the sector on new agreements regarding schemes for older workers and early retirement.

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Nearly all landscaping companies fall under BPL Pension Fund. According to figures from the pension fund, the total pension contribution in 2026 amounts to 26.4 percent of pensionable earnings. Employers pay 19.09 percent of this amount.

In addition, schemes for older workers and RVU arrangements remain part of sector-wide contributions. According to Colland, part of the contribution is specifically allocated to training, schemes for older workers and early retirement arrangements.

'The costs of the RVU are a major challenge'

Schemes for older workers and the RVU once again play an important role in the ongoing collective labour agreement negotiations for the landscaping sector. According to FNV, both trade unions and employers want to explore a new early retirement arrangement.

The previous RVU scheme expired at the end of 2025. Under this arrangement, landscaping professionals could, under certain conditions, stop working up to three years before reaching the state pension age. According to FNV, a new scheme also presents financial challenges. 'The costs of the RVU come on top of the already rising costs of the scheme for older workers,' the union wrote during the collective labour agreement negotiations.

Sustainable Employability Remains an Important Topic

Under previous sector agreements, the RVU was linked to sustainable employability and maintaining health while working longer. According to Colland Labour Market, employees in hands-on landscaping roles could make use of the scheme under certain conditions. One of the requirements was that employees had to have worked in the sector for at least ten years, including five years in a hands-on role.

Schemes for older workers also remain in place within the sector. According to Colland Labour Market, the contribution for this scheme was increased in 2026. Meanwhile, Werkgeverslijn Agriculture and Horticulture is providing employers with additional information about the new pension system. This includes pension benefits, sustainable employability and discussions with employees about working longer.

In the ongoing collective labour agreement negotiations, pensions, schemes for older workers and sustainable employability remain recurring topics within employment policy in the landscaping sector.

This article was previously published on 16 May 2026 on the De Hovenier website.

Colland Arbeidsmarkt en o...

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