Age to claim the full pension and what changes mean for retirees
The pension system is undergoing a set of significant reforms aimed at preserving its sustainability and ensuring a fair distribution of benefits within the social safety net. These reforms address structural factors that influence how pensions are funded, calculated, and delivered to retired workers across the country. They are designed to strengthen long-term financial health while maintaining access to retirement income for the growing cohort of retirees.
Thanks to a series of measures introduced to bolster the system’s sustainability, some changes will benefit specific groups of pensioners. These steps are part of a broader plan that looks ahead to at least the year 2050, balancing fiscal responsibility with the protection of earned rights for retirees. The reforms recognize that a gradual approach helps to stabilize the program while providing predictable transitions for those approaching retirement and for the workforce currently contributing to the system [Source: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration].
Since 2013, adjustments have been implemented progressively to the legal retirement age. Each year, the required minimum age and the number of years of contributions to Social Security have risen by small increments. This staged approach helps smooth the path to a full pension while reflecting changes in life expectancy, labor market participation, and demographics. The intention is to align retirement benefits with the evolving economic and social context while preserving the value of pensions for contributors over time.
In the near term, the framework establishes a clear target for the age at which a retiree can access the full pension. The upcoming year marks an important milestone as policymakers set new benchmarks that impact when the 100 percent pension can be drawn. While the exact age is a key part of the reform, two additional criteria must be satisfied to receive the full retirement benefit. These criteria ensure that the pension amount reflects both longevity and work history, and that individuals meet the required level of contributions during their careers.
On the one hand, eligibility for the 100 percent pension requires not only reaching the minimum age but also meeting the necessary contribution history. The total number of years of contributions depends on the year of birth and the retirement timeline selected by the worker. For example, individuals born in 1957 would have been eligible to retire between 2023 and 2024, but to receive the full pension they must have accumulated a minimum qualifying period of contributions to the Social Security system. This rule ties the benefit level to the length of time a person has actively contributed to the system during their working life.
For those planning retirement between 2023 and 2026, the threshold for the minimum contribution period is set at 36 years and six months in order to qualify for the full pension. This standard will be updated progressively, and by 2027 the required contribution period will rise to 37 years as the retirement age reform concludes its phased implementation. These changes reflect a balance between encouraging longer work lives and ensuring that the pension remains financially sustainable for future generations of retirees [Source: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration].
Overall, the reform emphasizes two core ideas. First, age alone does not determine the full pension; a sufficient record of contributions is also essential. Second, the minimum contribution period rises in step with the gradual increase in the retirement age. This approach aims to keep the pension system solid while recognizing the realities of longer life expectancy and evolving employment patterns. As the rules shift, workers approaching retirement should review their own contribution history and retirement timing to understand how the changes affect their eventual benefits. The ongoing dialogue among policymakers, employers, and workers continues to shape practical guidance for planning retirement with confidence.
[citation: Ministry overview on pension reforms and retirement provisions].