Indexation of maintenance payments 2027: 4,1%

Each year, the indexation percentage is set for child maintenance and spousal maintenance. Maintenance is indexed because prices (and often wages) rise each year as a result of inflation. This means that a maintenance amount set in the past gradually loses purchasing power. Indexation helps ensure that the recipient does not have to adjust their standard of living.

Do you pay maintenance? Remember to increase the amount. Do you receive maintenance? If so, check whether your former partner is paying the indexed maintenance amount.

Calculating maintenance with LBIO

In October 2026, the indexation percentage for 2027 was set at 4.1%. With effect from 1 January 2027, maintenance will increase by 4.1%. You can calculate the new maintenance amount on the website of the Landelijk Bureau Inning Onderhoudsbijdragen (LBIO), the national maintenance collection agency.

Agreeing not to apply maintenance indexation

You may depart from this principle by mutual agreement and agree that no indexation will apply. If you have made such an agreement, it will often be recorded in the parenting plan containing the child maintenance arrangements, or in the divorce settlement agreement containing the arrangements relating to the divorce. If there is nothing stating that maintenance indexation is excluded, the maintenance amount must be indexed.

Refusal to apply maintenance indexation

But what if your former partner does not pay the increase? In that case, we recommend first drawing this to your former partner’s attention and asking them to pay the outstanding amount. If your former partner refuses to pay the full amount, you can ask the LBIO to collect the shortfall. The LBIO will recover the arrears for you free of charge.

Varying maintenance

If you pay or receive maintenance, it is sensible to review the existing maintenance arrangements from time to time and consider whether the amount is still appropriate in the current circumstances. Was the maintenance agreed or determined a long time ago, and has there since been a change in circumstances that may affect the amount? If so, this may be a reason to have the maintenance recalculated. 

Would you like more information about the indexation of child maintenance or spousal maintenance?

Or do you have questions about maintenance in general? Please feel free to contact me or one of our other divorce lawyers. We will be happy to assist you.