Many of today’s doubts come down to one key question: is the second pillar pension still worth the effort? Are tighter checks on the 80% rule a real obstacle? Do alternative solutions promise better returns? Or has the statutory pension now become generous enough to rely on? All fair question circulating in the market. However, when you look at the facts, the conclusion is clear: with the right approach, a supplementary pension through your company remains one of the most effective and tax-efficient ways to secure your financial future.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Pension saving as a business owner: the new rules of the game"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"More and more business owners and self-employed professionals are looking for smart ways to make the most of their company’s profits, from paying out dividends and building up a liquidation reserve to investing through a tax shelter. All valid strategies that can bring immediate tax relief and short-term financial benefits. But they have one thing in common: they focus on today, not on tomorrow.
And that’s where the real challenge lies. The statutory pension for the self-employed in Belgium has always been relatively modest. Even after a full 45-year career, the maximum statutory pension currently amounts to €1,808.77 gross per month for a single person, or €2,260.25 gross per month for a household pension. In reality, many self-employed people receive even less, as few can show a full career record, and their entitlement is reduced accordingly.
The 2025 pension reforms introduced by the Arizona government will make things even more challenging for the self-employed. Those who want to retire early will now need to prove more actual years of work, while certain assimilated periods (such as career breaks or parental leave) will count for less. In practice, this means it will take longer to qualify for a full pension.The current pension bonus, which rewards the self-employed for staying active longer, will also disappear at the end of 2025. A new version of the pension bonus will be introduced in 2026, but with different, less generous conditions. At the same time, a pension penalty (malus) will come into effect: anyone retiring before the legal pension age without meeting the stricter criteria (link in FR) will see their pension amount reduced even further.But even for those who do meet all the requirements, the outcome remains disappointing. The statutory pension alone is rarely enough to maintain your current lifestyle. That’s why building a supplementary pension remains essential. It helps protect your purchasing power and quality of life long after your career ends.
Under the 80% rule, the combined value of your statutory and supplementary pension also cannot exceed 80% of your normal gross salary. How much extra you can save through your company therefore depends on an estimate of your future statutory pension.
Since 2022, that estimate has become more realistic, as it’s now calculated at 50% of your gross salary, instead of the lower fixed amount that applied in the past.
This shift calls for more careful planning, but it doesn’t have to be a drawback. In fact, the rules are now clearer and more predictable, which allows you to make well-informed decisions about how much you can save tax-efficiently for your retirement. As one Insurance Specialist Life at ING puts it:
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Why build a supplementary pension through your company?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"When calculating the 80% rule, I always take time to analyse the client’s full financial situation in detail. I work with up-to-date figures and data to ensure that every proposed solution is not only fiscally optimal but also fully compliant with current regulations. Transparency and precision are key.
Today, building a supplementary pension isn’t just a wise move, it’s a strategic one. As Yves Stevens, Professor of Social and Pension Law at KU Leuven, puts it:
In times of change, pension security and protection, both for yourself and your loved ones, remain essential. Financial peace of mind takes time to build. The earlier you start, the better. A long-term, individual perspective is key.
Here are five reasons why the second pillar remains a powerful advantage for business owners and company directors:
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"1.\tSmart combinations pay off","richBody":{"value":"Stricter rules don’t mean you should give up on building a supplementary pension. Quite the opposite, the strongest pension strategy combines several systems: an Individual Pension Commitment (IPC) or Free Supplementary Pension for the Self-Employed (FSPSE), complemented by third-pillar savings and possibly measures such as a liquidation reserve (link in FR) or VVPR-bis (link in FR). The best approach is to discuss your overall setup with your accountant or financial adviser so you can build a plan that truly fits your goals and your company’s situation.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"2.\tGrow your capital without losing statutory rights","richBody":{"value":"Unlike some fiscal schemes, a supplementary pension through your company doesn’t reduce your statutory pension entitlement. The capital you build in the second pillar is added on top, giving you extra financial room later in life, whether to support your lifestyle, reinvest in your business, or even purchase property.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"3.\tClose the pension gap","richBody":{"value":"The recent reforms mentioned above make one thing clear: the first pillar alone no longer provides enough to maintain a comfortable standard of living. The difference between your professional income and what you’ll receive from the state pension is the so-called pension gap. Solutions like the FSPSE or IPC help bridge that gap and come with attractive tax advantages as an extra incentive.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"4.\tFlexible contributions","richBody":{"value":"A supplementary pension also gives you the freedom to adjust your contributions in line with your business results. You decide how much and when to contribute, within the legal and fiscal limits. If a year is less profitable, you can reduce payments. When business is thriving, you can invest more in your future.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"5.\tAdded protection for you and your family","richBody":{"value":"A supplementary pension is about more than saving for retirement. You can include additional covers such as life insurance or income protection in case of disability. That way, you’re building long-term capital while also creating a financial safety net for yourself, your family and your company.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Supplementary pension: tax benefits and opportunities"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Building a supplementary pension through your company isn’t just a smart move for the future, it also offers immediate tax advantages. The premiums you pay into an IPT or a FSPSE are fully tax-deductible business expenses. In other words, they reduce your taxable profit and therefore the amount of corporation tax you pay. It’s the government’s way of encouraging Belgian entrepreneurs to take their retirement planning into their own hands.
And that’s not the only benefit. You’ll also see a positive impact on social contributions. The higher your FSPSE contributions, the lower your social security payments, because they’re calculated on your reduced net taxable income. In short, you’re saving for your pension and cutting costs today.
There’s also a broader advantage: money invested in your pension doesn’t disappear in taxes but stays within your reach as a long-term personal reserve. It’s an efficient way to turn your company profits into personal wealth that grows over time.
One last tip: timing matters. Premiums paid before the end of the calendar year count towards that year’s tax deductions, meaning you’ll enjoy the benefit sooner. Waiting not only delays your savings growth but also costs you valuable tax optimisation. The sooner you start, the more you gain.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Put your pension to work","richBody":{"value":"From tax efficiency to long-term financial security - whatever your future plans may be, ING offers a pension solution that fits your needs. Discover all the details here.
Not yet an ING customer? Leave your details and one of our ING experts will contact you, with no obligation, to explore the best professional pension strategy for you.
"}}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Disclaimer","richBody":{"value":"This article is for informative purposes only and the information set out herein may change with time. We therefore recommend that you always reference specific regulations and requirements with the competent authorities for the latest information. Additionally, we advise that you seek professional advice on a case-by-case basis before making any decisions. Please note that ING Belgium SA/NV cannot be held liable for any decision taken on the basis of the information provided.
"}}]}}}