Pensioner (Netherlands)

A pensioner ( Pensionaris ) was at the time of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands an official in the large and voting cities of several provinces, who was responsible for the legal affairs of the city, comparable to a syndic and town clerk . The name is derived from the salary (the "pension") that the civil servant received. He advised the magistrate on legal matters and kept the minutes , but was not entitled to vote himself. Since retirees stayed in their posts for a long time, they were often able to exert a great influence on urban politics.

A similar role at the level of the whole republic had the Pensionary held.