Pension reform remains a hot topic in Belgium as the effective retirement age stubbornly holds steady. Despite the legal pension age rising to 66 years as of 2025-07-24 15:48:00, many Belgians still choose to retire early, especially public sector workers. What drives this persistent trend of early retirement, and how does it impact the workforce?
- 46% of employees retire early
- Only 23% of self-employed retire early
- Average retirement age fixed at 63 years
- Legal retirement age raised to 66 years
- Early retirement favored by civil servants
- Government tightens early retirement conditions
Data shows that 46 percent of employees opt for early retirement, compared to only 23 percent of self-employed individuals. The average actual retirement age has remained fixed at 63 years and 9 months for the past five years, defying government efforts to push it higher. Why does early retirement continue to appeal, even with stricter rules?
Understanding these patterns helps clarify the challenges Belgium faces in pension sustainability, setting the stage for changes introduced by the recent summer agreement.
Why does early retirement persist in Belgium despite policy changes? The answer lies in several factors that make early pension attractive and accessible for many:
- Each worked year counts as 1.05 years for civil servants, enabling retirement after about 40 years of service.
- Special provisions allow professions like train drivers and military personnel to retire as early as 55 or 56.
- The summer agreement tightens early retirement conditions but does not fully reverse existing Trends.
- The gap between legal and effective retirement ages highlights ongoing resistance to raising pension age.
As Belgium moves forward, policymakers must ask: how can early retirement incentives be balanced with workforce demands? Will future reforms finally shift the average retirement age upward? Staying informed and engaged will be key for workers and employers alike.
