National social security
The national social security scheme applies to all residents of the Netherlands and the benefits are not related to salary. Everyone who lives or works in the Netherlands is covered for state pension (AOW) and surviving dependents (ANW), and may also be eligible for social provisions, such as child benefit.
Employers withhold national social security contributions from the employee's salary. If you are self-employed, you pay your contributions via your annual income tax return.
National social security (national insurance) is administered by the SVB.
Employee social security scheme
The employee social security scheme is for employees only. The benefits are related to the employment income last earned and are received in the event of loss of income due to illness* (Ziektewet, ZW), permanent disability for work (Wet werk en inkomen naar arbeidsvermogen, WIA), or unemployment (Werkloosheidswet, WW).
* For the first two years of absence from work through illness, sick pay usually has to be provided by the employer. The amount of sick pay must be at least 70% of gross income, but the actual amount varies per area of discipline.
Employee insurance is administered by the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), a non-departmental public body that also provides labour market and data services.
If you are self-employed, you are not covered for unemployment. You can, however, take out your own insurance for this.
There are conditions for each benefit. See Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment | Government.nl for more information.