The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets published a blog setting out its push for more prevention-focused financial wellbeing policy, centred on a periodic “financial health check” that gives households accessible insight into their overall financial position and prompts follow-up action. The post also confirms that the AFM became a partner organisation of the National Coalition for Financial Health (NCFG) on 30 January. The AFM frames the initiative as “Periodic Financial Maintenance”, comparing it to recurring check-ups and highlighting that many consumers struggle to maintain an overview across pensions, insurance, mortgages, saving and investing, especially when income or spending changes due to life events. It points to growing availability of digital tools and tests, and argues that incoming European rules including the EDI-Wallet, PSD3 and FIDAR should make it safer and easier for consumers to gather financial data, helping move from “overview” to “insight” and, where needed, advice. The blog also emphasises the role of budget coaches and financial advisers, and suggests employers can be a trusted channel for offering checks; the NCFG’s stated target is to halve the number of financially insufficient or financially unhealthy households by 2030. As next steps, the AFM plans to assess opportunities and barriers to scaling a financial health check approach and, in 2025, to run behavioural science experiments with Wijzer in Geldzaken, Nibud and market participants, alongside work with the NCFG and industry bodies to lower practical hurdles.

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