Belgium’s federal government realized savings of 632 million euros in 2025 as a direct result of the increase in the statutory pension age, according to figures released Friday by the Federal Pension Service and reported by Business AM and De Tijd.
The savings stem from 55,300 fewer individuals entering retirement compared to 2024, following the raising of the retirement age to 66. The average monthly pension payment was calculated at 1,850 euros to determine the total financial impact.
Despite the substantial savings, total pension expenditures in Belgium still exceeded 66 billion euros in 2025, covering approximately 2.6 million pensioners. The initial increase from 65 to 66 years of age was enacted by the Michel I government in 2014 and took effect at the beginning of 2025.
The government has plans for further increases, with the statutory pension age scheduled to rise to 67 years by 2030. Those who turned 65 in December 2024 were the last to be eligible for retirement at the age of 65, becoming eligible on January 1, 2025. Individuals reaching 65 in January 2025, however, became eligible for retirement on February 1, 2026, upon reaching the age of 66.
Earlier data from August 2025 indicated that the pension age increase had already generated 100 million euros in savings within the first five months of implementation. Approximately 22,000 fewer people entered retirement during that period compared to the same timeframe in 2024, as reported by VRT NWS.
While the increase in the pension age has yielded significant savings, the government is also addressing a concurrent rise in early retirements. Approximately 76,000 Belgians opted for early retirement in 2025, potentially seeking to avoid future pension reforms. The government is currently considering adjustments to the rules governing early retirement to mitigate this trend.
