Benefits for older entrepreneurs who have ceased trading

Are you a self-employed entrepreneur and are you closing your business? You may be eligible for IOAZ benefits. IOAZ benefits supplement your income after you have closed your business. 

Call 045-5605040 

Approach

This is how you apply for the IOAZ benefit:

  • Please contact the municipality.
  • You will need:
    • your valid proof of identity
    • proof of your living situation
    • bank statements from the past period
    • your accounts for the last 3 years

Description

Are you a self-employed entrepreneur aged 55 or older? And are you closing your business? You may be entitled to an IOAZ benefit. An IOAZ benefit supplements your income after you have closed your business. 

The amount of your IOAZ benefit depends on:

  • your income
  • your partner's income
  • your equity
  • the pension you have accrued through an occupational pension

If you live with more people in your household, your benefit will be lower. This is because you can share the costs of living. Your benefit will not be reduced if you live with your children (up to the age of 27), students, or tenants. 

Apply for the IOAZ at the municipality before you cease trading, or within three months of ceasing trading. 

Requirements

The Requirements for the IOAZ benefit are:

  • You are 55 or older, but you have not yet reached the state pension age.
  • You must cease trading no later than 1.5 years after applying for the IOAZ benefit. Have you already ceased trading? If so, you can still apply for the IOAZ benefit within 3 months of ceasing trading.
  • Your business met the Inland Revenue's hours criterion each year.
  • Your company's profits for the last three years were less than €30,968 gross per year.
  • You expect your income in the future to be less than €36,090 gross per year.
  • You worked:
    • At least 10 years of self-employment in the Netherlands, or
    • the last 3 years self-employed and before that 7 years employed in the Netherlands.

(Amounts as of January 2026)

You will receive the benefit from the date you stop working. 

Objections and appeals

Do you disagree with the municipality's decision? Then you can file an objection. By doing so, you can explain why you disagree with the decision. Objection must be made within 6 weeks.

Did you object to the municipality's decision? Then the municipality will make a new decision. Do you disagree with that decision? Then you can ask the court whether the municipality has made a good decision. This is called 'appeal'. Do this within 6 weeks. You can only appeal if you have objected.

More information

Information about the IOAZ benefit

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