Belgium’s social security system ensures that every person with a disability between 18 and 65 years old who cannot work is entitled to an income replacement benefit. This federal support is crucial for many, but what happens when these individuals reach retirement age? On 2025-08-26 15:18:00, new adjustments came into effect to address this important question.
- Personen met beperking krijgen inkomensvervangende tegemoetkoming
- Federale overheid betaalt uitkering tot pensioenleeftijd
- Gewesten betalen inkomensgarantie voor ouderen
- Vlaamse pensioenleeftijd stijgt naar 67 jaar
- Maximale uitkeringsleeftijd volgt pensioenleeftijd
- Minister Beenders voorkomt inkomensgat tussen 65-67 jaar
Previously, people with disabilities aged 65 to 67 found themselves in a gap: too old for the income replacement benefit and too young for the income guarantee for older persons, which replaces the regular pension. To solve this, Flanders now aligns the maximum age for these benefits with the legal retirement age, which has increased to 67 as of January 1, 2025.
How will this change impact those affected, and what does it mean for Belgium’s social welfare landscape? Let’s explore the key points behind this development.
Why was this adjustment necessary? It prevented a coverage gap for disabled individuals nearing retirement. By linking benefit eligibility to the rising pension age, Belgium ensures continuous support. Key points to consider:
- The federal government manages disability income replacement benefits up to the pension age.
- Regional governments pay the income guarantee for older persons once the pension age is reached.
- Since January 2025, the legal pension age increased to 67 in Flanders, affecting benefit eligibility.
- This change prevents disabled individuals aged 65–67 from losing income support during this transition period.
Will other regions follow suit, and how might future pension age increases affect social security? For now, this alignment offers greater security for disabled Belgians approaching retirement. Staying informed and engaged with these changes can help ensure continued access to vital benefits.
