Proof of life for AOW: how does it work?
Do you receive AOW while living in Thailand? Then the SVB can ask you for a life certificate. Fortunately, you can easily arrange this from home via an app on your smartphone or tablet. Can't do that? Then you can fill in the paper form and send it in. This way you prevent your AOW from being stopped.
The Dutch Embassy is organizing a consular service and a Meet & Greet reception with Ambassador HE Remco van Wijngaarden from May 14 to 16, 2024 in Pattaya. You can meet him on May 15 and ask questions during the Meet & Greet. Take part in this inspiring meeting and register in time for the limited places!
From Monday April 29 to Wednesday May 1, the Dutch embassy offers the opportunity to apply for a Dutch passport or identity card in Chiang Mai, have your life certificate signed and/or receive a DigiD activation code.
The Dutch embassy is organizing the following activities in Khon Kaen on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April.
Digidenty app for life certificates
For Dutch people who receive their AOW pension abroad, the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) is introducing a new, user-friendly way to prove that they are still alive. With the innovative Digidentity Wallet app, the process of sending a life certificate is not only simplified, but also accelerated, reducing the need for paper documentation.
In the coming months, the Dutch embassy will offer the opportunity to apply for a Dutch passport or identity card, have your life certificate signed and/or receive a DigiD activation code at seven different locations in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
NL Embassy: You can apply for a certificate of life or have it stamped without an appointment
Dutch benefits agencies such as the ABP and the Social Insurance Bank can ask for a certificate of life (attestation de vita). From now on you can visit the Dutch embassy in Bangkok without an appointment.
Catch up on Life Certificate SVB and SSO Laem Chabang
Last Saturday, a question was asked about the SSO in Laem Chabang, where the state pensioners of Pattaya and the surrounding area have the Life Certificate of the SVB checked, stamped and signed. I already responded to that, but other AOW pensioners still had questions.
Proof of life, mobile ID check
The SVB is developing an app for the proof of life, while at the same time GDPS is developing a similar app for the ABP (ABP is part of the implementing organization APG).
Reader Submission: Experience SSO Laem Chabang
Today (8-9-2020) traveled to Laem Chabang to get the statement of life from the SVB for the application for my state pension signed and stamped. Now I had prepared myself in view of the rumors that SSO Laem Chabang no longer does that -whether or not for the time being. Called SSO and SVB in the preliminary phase and were told by both authorities last week that they do. You guessed it: not if you…
On August 21, an NL reader wrote that he was in vain at the SSO Laem Chabang to sign the Proof of Life. They wouldn't do it again. I made inquiries with the SVB in NL via their website and promised to let you know the answer.
Reader Submission: No proof of life to be sent
Today I received the following correspondence from the pension fund SBZ (Stichting Bedrijfstakpensioenfonds Zorgverzekeraars): You do not need to send proof of life now. The board of SBZ Pensioen has decided to make a one-off exception for this year.
The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) requires proof that you are still alive for the payment of your pension or benefit. You prove this with the life certificate form. You must complete this SVB form, have it signed and return it to the SVB. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), you cannot have this signed at the moment.
SVB is working on digital life certificate
It is always a hassle for pensioners living in Thailand, the life certificate or Attestation de Vita, which must be submitted to the SVB and the pension fund. Perhaps this hassle will soon become a lot easier.
Consular office hours and Meet & Greet Dutch community in Chiang Mai on Thursday 19 September
The embassy will organize a consular office hour in Chiang Mai on Thursday 19 September for Dutch citizens who want to apply for a passport or Dutch identity card or have their life certificate signed. Subsequently, a “Meet & Greet” and drinks for the Dutch will be organized from 18:00 in the presence of Ambassador Kees Rade.
In its newsletter, Stichting Goed mentions the problems surrounding the life certificate – proof of being alive – Attestation de Vita.
Perhaps unnecessarily, but this morning I was at Immigration for a stamp on my Attestation de Vita. Here I was told that this was no longer possible. The official in question only told me that the rules had changed since August and referred me to the police station.
Good news from the SVB for state pensioners
At least, I thought it was good news. I received the annual form again to fill in for proof that I am still alive. Previously I had to go from Pattaya with my Thai wife to the SSO office in Laem Chabang for some formalities and stamps, but that is no longer necessary.
AOW and proof that one is alive
At the monthly meeting of the Dutch Thailand Association, Pattaya section, two representatives of the Social Insurance Bank come to explain why state pensioners in Thailand have to prove that they are still alive in a rather cumbersome manner.
Postscript article SVB
For those who do not understand the answers plus the explanation given by us, find them too confusing or do not agree, we advise you to contact the SVB in Roermond yourself.