In most European countries, you pay for your insurance by contributing a certain percentage of your wages to your insurance company and a retirement payout company. Of course, you don't have to bother with that, since your employer does this in most cases (if you're not a contractor). I think this is a better strategy than just paying from what you have.

[–] SirQuackTheDuck@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

In the Netherlands your pension fund is withheld from your wages (partially a mandatory government fund, partially a fund your employer might select).

My previous employer invested about 1% of my wages into the fund, which was quite shite. My current employer invests 10% and has a significantly better return.

Health insurance is a monthly cost you pay on your own (starting at around € 120 / mo). It's a € ~350 yearly deductible and coverage is mostly decided by the government. Any additional coverage is your own choosing and comes at a premium.

As you can only switch contracts on a yearly basis, comparing health plans is effectively a Christmas tradition for all Dutch citizens.