What happens to your salary during reintegration?
Blog by
Henriëtte Otten
20 March 2026
If you are ill and in the process of reintegration, a lot often changes. Not only in your work, but also in your income. That raises questions, and that’s very understandable.
Especially during recovery, financial clarity is important. It provides peace of mind and helps you to look ahead step by step.
In this blog, you’ll read how continued payment of wages during illness works, what changes when you partly return to work, and what to expect after two years of illness.
Continued wage payment during illness
In the Netherlands, you are entitled to continued wage payment during illness. Your employer continues to pay (part of) your salary as long as you are employed. In most cases you will receive:
- At least 70 percent of your salary in the first year of illness
- In many collective labor agreements (CAOs), this ranges from 80 to 100 percent
- In the second year of illness, usually 70 percent
The exact amount you receive depends on your CAO, the agreements in your employment contract, and the duration of your illness. Some employers choose to pay more than legally required, to provide extra peace of mind and security during recovery.
Salary when partially resuming work
During reintegration, it is often the case that you partially return to work. In this situation, you receive a combination of salary for the hours worked and continued wage payment for the portion you still can’t work.
An example: if you work 50 percent of your normal hours, you receive your regular wage for that part. For the remaining 50 percent, you receive the agreed sick pay percentage, usually 70 percent. This makes it possible to gradually return to work without your income suddenly changing drastically.
The specific amount also depends on your CAO, company agreements, and the occupational doctor’s advice regarding what is achievable at that time.
Salary during second-track reintegration
If returning to your own company is no longer possible, a second-track reintegration process may be started. During this period, you usually remain employed by your current employer, who remains responsible for salary payment and progress of the process.
This way, you maintain financial security while you, with guidance, look for suitable work with another employer. Only in specific cases, such as when a temporary contract ends during illness, can this be different.
At the end of the 104-week waiting period, the UWV assesses whether you are eligible for a WIA benefit. At MEPD, we guide employees through this stage step by step, so the process remains clear and there is no confusion about rights and obligations.
What happens to your salary if you do not cooperate with reintegration
Reintegration is a shared responsibility between employer and employee.
This means you are required to cooperate with your recovery and workplace adjustments.
Read more in our blog is reintegration mandatory about why this is compulsory and what it means for you.
At the same time: you are always allowed to set your own limits. If something is not medically possible, the occupational physician will assess this—not the employer.
If someone refuses to cooperate without a valid reason, the employer may temporarily stop paying wages. In practice, this rarely happens, as it is usually a joint effort to find what is possible.
What happens after two years of illness?
After two years of illness, the employer’s obligation to continue wage payment ends. The UWV then assesses whether employer and employee have done enough for reintegration.
If someone is still (partially) incapacitated for work, an assessment will follow to determine eligibility for a WIA benefit. The assessment considers how much work someone can still do and what income matches that.
There are two possible outcomes:
- A WGA benefit for partial disability
- An IVA benefit for full and lasting disability
A carefully compiled reintegration file helps ensure this assessment is clear. It shows that the process has been conducted seriously and carefully, with attention to recovery and return to work.
The role of MEPD
At MEPD, we guide employers and employees through the entire reintegration process, with an emphasis on clarity and peace of mind. We ensure agreements are transparent, the file is complete, and there is space left for recovery.
This brings overview to a period of many changes and allows you to move toward the next step with confidence.
Do you have questions about salary, reintegration, or the right approach for your organization? Feel free to contact us. We are happy to think along with you about a process that suits your situation and contributes to sustainable recovery and future-oriented work.
Henriëtte Otten
Team manager
I am energized by contributing to the growth of employees and organizations. Every organization and every person is unique. With my extensive experience at the intersection of people and organization, I can collaborate effectively with clients on various (career) development issues.
