Overview
- From February 2026, people born between 2 November and 1 December 1959 first qualify for the regular old‑age pension at 66 years and 2 months without deductions, typically starting in the following month unless born on the first.
- Insured persons born 2 January to 1 February 1963 who meet the 35‑year requirement can begin the long‑term‑insured pension at 63 from February, accepting a lifelong 13.8% cut based on the 0.3%‑per‑month rule.
- For severely disabled people (GdB ≥50) the previous trust protection ended on 1 January 2026, making undeducted access generally possible only from 65 and allowing earliest reduced entry at 62 if 35 insurance years are met.
- New February windows also open for those born 2 July to 1 August 1961: an undeducted pension for the severely disabled at 64 years and 6 months with 35 years, and an undeducted pension for particularly long‑term insured with 45 years at the same age.
- DRV figures show early retirement with cuts is rising: 28.3% of 2024 newcomers took reduced pensions versus 24% in 2014, with average deduction months up to 32 and rates to 9.6%, and women more likely than men to retire with reductions.