Lebenslaufpolitik in den Niederlanden. Gesetzliche Optionen zum Ansparen längerer Freistellungen: "verlofspaarregeling" und "levensloopregeling"

The article investigates two legal provisions in the Netherlands: firstly, the 'verlofspaarregeling' (2001-2005) and secondly, the 'levensloopregeling' (since January 2006). Both provisions give employees the opportunity to store time on lifetime working accounts and to use this time for paid leaves. The article outlines the two legal provisions and evaluates them with regard to issues of recent life-course policies. Existing research points at characteristic limits of both provisions. While the 'verlofspaarregeling' was only used by a rather small number of employees, particularly those, who did not face problems to combine work and care, the 'levensloopregeling' runs the risk of being reduced to an instrument for early retirement. Finally, possible alternatives and improvements are discussed.