This paper discusses the redistributive impact of the Dutch social sec
urity system on lifetime basis. Net benefits appear to be positive for
the birth generations up to 1960. Social insurances show a declining
net benefit, whereas for occupational pensions the reverse holds. It i
s generally assumed that flat-rated social security schemes are more r
edistributive ones than wage-related schemes. However, the Dutch socia
l security system shows that on a lifetime basis the redistributive im
pact of flat-rated general insurances does not necessarily largely dif
fer from the wage-related employee insurances. Social assistance schem
es result in a very large income redistribution in view of the small a
mounts involved. Social insurances and social assistance schemes have
an income equalizing effect. On the contrary, occupational pensions in
crease income inequality.