{"version":"1.0.0","generated_at":"2026-09-03T22:05:04.882Z","count":47,"licence":"CC BY 4.0","citation":"PensionChart (2026). PensionChart Pension Directory. Retrieved from https://pensionchart.com/pension-directory.json (CC BY 4.0)","source":"https://pensionchart.com/open-data","verification_note":"last_verified is the date a person checked this entry against the named official source. verification_status applies our own thresholds to that date: Current (under 180 days), Review due (180+), Outdated (365+). An absent date means the entry has not yet been human-verified.","countries":[{"country":"Australia","country_code":"AU","continent":"oceania","currency":"AUD","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Australia operates a three-pillar retirement income system. The first pillar is the Age Pension — a means-tested, tax-funded government payment available to residents aged 67 or older who satisfy residency and income/assets tests. From 20 March 2026, the maximum full Age Pension is AUD 1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and AUD 905.20 per person for couples (AUD 1,810.40 combined), including the base rate, Pension Supplement, and Energy Supplement. Rates are indexed twice yearly (20 March and 20 September) to the highest of CPI, PBLCI, or MTAWE. Approximately 39% of Australians over 67 receive the full Age Pension and a further 24% receive a part pension.\n\nThe second pillar is the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) — a mandatory employer-funded defined-contribution scheme. From 1 July 2025, the SG rate reached its final legislated level of 12% of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the Transfer Balance Cap rose to AUD 2.1 million, the concessional cap to AUD 32,500/year, and the non-concessional cap to AUD 130,000/year. From 1 July 2026, 'Payday Super' requires employers to pay SG with each pay cycle (within 7 business days of payday) rather than quarterly. Division 296 tax — an additional 15% on realised earnings attributable to super balances between AUD 3M and AUD 10M (effective 30% total), and an additional 25% above AUD 10M (effective 40% total) — took effect from 1 July 2026 (first assessment year 2026–27).\n\nThe third pillar consists of voluntary superannuation contributions, including salary sacrifice, personal deductible contributions, and non-concessional contributions. Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) are available but carry strict residency requirements for non-residents. Australia has 32 active international social security agreements, with a 33rd (Uruguay, signed August 2025) pending ratification by Uruguay's Chamber of Representatives and not yet in force. From 20 September 2026, the Pension Supplement overseas portability rule changes: the full supplement will be paid for up to 12 weeks overseas (doubled from 6 weeks), but will cease entirely after 12 weeks for temporary travellers and immediately upon departure for permanent emigrants.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/age-pension","name":"Services Australia Age Pension"},{"url":"https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families","name":"ATO Super Portal"},{"url":"https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-codes/key-superannuation-rates-and-thresholds/super-guarantee","name":"ATO Key Superannuation Rates and Thresholds"},{"url":"https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/caps-limits-and-tax-on-super-contributions/division-296-tax/division-296-tax-on-large-super-balances","name":"ATO Division 296 Tax"},{"url":"https://my.gov.au","name":"myGov"},{"url":"https://my.gov.au/en/about/help/mygov-website/help-using-your-account/accessing-mygov-while-overseas","name":"myGov Help Overseas"},{"url":"https://www.mygovid.gov.au/set-up","name":"myGovID (myID) Setup"},{"url":"https://applicant.tr.super.ato.gov.au/applicants/default.aspx","name":"DASP Application Portal"},{"url":"https://www.dss.gov.au/international-social-security-agreements","name":"DSS International Social Security Agreements"},{"url":"https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/international-social-security-agreements","name":"Services Australia International Social Security Agreements"},{"url":"https://moneysmart.gov.au/grow-your-super/super-contributions","name":"MoneySmart Super Contributions"},{"url":"https://www.dss.gov.au/better-targeting-pension-supplement","name":"DSS Better Targeting Pension Supplement (Overseas Rules)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/au/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/au","system_type":"Multi-pillar: means-tested universal state pension (Beveridge-influenced) + mandatory private defined-contribution superannuation (Bismarckian-influenced) + voluntary supplementary savings","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0/1: Age Pension (means-tested, tax-funded, universal for eligible residents). Pillar 2: Superannuation Guarantee (mandatory employer DC contributions, 12% from 1 Jul 2025). Pillar 3: Voluntary superannuation contributions (salary sacrifice, personal deductible, non-concessional, SMSFs, downsizer contributions).","replacement_rate_gross":"<30% (mandatory schemes, average earner, OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025). Net replacement rate also under 35% for average earners from mandatory schemes. Australia pays relatively small benefits to average earners but closer to OECD average for low-income workers.","min_qualifying_period":"Age Pension: 10 years qualifying Australian residence (at least 5 continuous) + meet means tests. Superannuation: no minimum period — benefits vest immediately on contribution.","min_qualifying_partial":"Age Pension: partial pension payable if means test thresholds exceeded (tapered reduction). Under totalization agreements, combined residence/insurance periods may satisfy the 10-year requirement for a proportional pension.","aggregation_rules":"Social security agreements allow totalization of Australian residence with periods of insurance/residence in agreement countries to meet the 10-year qualifying period for Age Pension. Proportional pensions paid based on Australian residence only (AWLR). After 26 weeks overseas, pension rate may be proportionalised based on AWLR: full rate if AWLR ≥35 years; proportional (AWLR years/35, or AWLR months/420) if less. Agreement country rules may differ. Grandfathering: persons already overseas on 1 July 2014 continue under the old 25-year AWLR rule unless they return to Australia for 26+ weeks and subsequently depart.","totalization_partners":["Austria","Belgium","Canada","Chile","Croatia","Cyprus","Czech Republic","Denmark","Estonia","Finland","Germany","Greece","Hungary","India","Ireland","Italy","Japan","Korea (Republic of)","Latvia","Malta","Netherlands","New Zealand","North Macedonia","Norway","Poland","Portugal","Serbia","Slovak Republic","Slovenia","Spain","Switzerland","United States of America","Uruguay (signed 26 Aug 2025; approved by Uruguayan Senate 10 Jun 2026; pending Chamber of Representatives ratification — not yet in force)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"SG rate is 12% from 1 July 2025 (final rate). From 1 July 2026, 'Payday Super' requires employers to pay SG within 7 business days of each payday. Maximum Super Contribution Base: AUD 270,830/year (2026–27). Division 293 tax: additional 15% on concessional contributions where income + super contributions exceed AUD 250,000. Carry-forward rule: unused concessional cap from prior 5 years available if total super balance <AUD 500,000. Division 296 tax on super balances >AUD 3M: effective 1 July 2026 (first assessment 2026–27); 15% additional tax on realised earnings attributable to balance AUD 3M–10M (effective 30% total); 25% additional (40% total) above AUD 10M. Thresholds CPI-indexed. Concessional cap AUD 32,500 and non-concessional cap AUD 130,000 from 1 July 2026. Transfer Balance Cap AUD 2.1M from 1 July 2026.","employee_pct":"No mandatory employee contribution to super. Voluntary salary sacrifice permitted within concessional cap (AUD 32,500/year 2026–27, inclusive of employer SG).","employer_pct":"12.0% (from 1 July 2025, final legislated rate; no further scheduled increases)","self_employed_pct":"No mandatory SG obligation for self-employed sole traders or partnerships. May make voluntary concessional or non-concessional contributions."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Concessional contributions: 30 June each financial year (notice of intent to claim deduction must be lodged before tax return or 30 June of following year, whichever is earlier). Non-concessional: 30 June each financial year. Voluntary contributions not permitted after age 75 (except mandated employer SG and downsizer contributions).","available":true,"annual_cost":"Concessional (pre-tax) cap: AUD 32,500/year (2026–27, includes employer SG). Non-concessional (after-tax) cap: AUD 130,000/year (2026–27; nil if TSB ≥AUD 2.1M). Bring-forward: up to AUD 390,000 over 3 years (tiered by TSB).","benefit_per_year":"Concessional contributions taxed at 15% inside fund (vs marginal rate up to 47% outside); Division 293 tax applies at additional 15% if income + contributions exceed AUD 250,000. Government co-contribution (2026–27): up to AUD 500/year for eligible earners with income below AUD 64,293 making after-tax contributions (full AUD 500 for income below AUD 49,293). LISTO (current to 30 Jun 2027): up to AUD 500/year for earners ≤AUD 37,000; from 1 July 2027 (legislated): up to AUD 810/year for earners ≤AUD 45,000.","eligibility_conditions":"Under 67: all voluntary contributions permitted without work test. Ages 67–74: work test required to claim deduction for personal concessional contributions (40 hours in 30 consecutive days); work test not required for non-concessional or salary sacrifice contributions. Age 75+: only mandated employer SG and downsizer contributions accepted. TSB must be below AUD 2.1M for non-concessional contributions (2026–27); below AUD 500,000 for carry-forward concessional contributions."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Pension Bonus Scheme closed to new entrants from 1 July 2014. No current financial bonus for deferring Age Pension beyond age 67. Work Bonus (AUD 300/fortnight) encourages continued employment income without full pension reduction; unused credits accumulate up to AUD 11,800.","early_reduction":"No formal early/late adjustment for Age Pension (no early access to Age Pension before age 67). For superannuation, no penalty for accessing at preservation age (60) upon retirement; TTR has 10% max annual drawdown limit and earnings taxed at 15%."},"access_options":{"notes":"Superannuation can be accessed as: lump sum, account-based pension (allocated pension), annuity, or combination. Minimum annual drawdown rates apply to account-based pensions (age-based). TTR pension available from preservation age (60) while still working (max 10% drawdown/year). Full unrestricted access at age 65 regardless of work status. Age Pension is paid as a fortnightly income stream only (no lump sum option).","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment) for temporary visa holders: tax rates — taxed element 35% (general temporary visa holders) or 65% (Working Holiday Maker visa 417/462 — applies to entire payment if any WHM-period contributions included); tax-free element 0%; untaxed element 45%. Processing: approximately 28 days. Unclaimed super transferred to ATO after 6 months of visa cessation — still claimable. NZ citizens cannot claim DASP — must transfer to KiwiSaver instead. DASP portal: https://applicant.tr.super.ato.gov.au/applicants/default.aspx"},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Superannuation lump sums from taxed funds: tax-free for residents aged 60+. DASP: 35% (general temporary visa holders) or 65% (WHM visa 417/462) on taxed element; 0% on tax-free element; 45% on untaxed element — these are final withholding taxes.","special_tax_regimes":"Division 293 tax: additional 15% on concessional contributions for high earners (income + contributions >AUD 250,000). Division 296 tax (effective 1 July 2026): additional 15% on realised super earnings attributable to balances AUD 3M–10M (effective 30% total); additional 25% above AUD 10M (effective 40% total); thresholds CPI-indexed; first assessment year 2026–27. LISTO (current): up to AUD 500/year refund of contributions tax for earners ≤AUD 37,000; from 1 July 2027 (legislated): threshold rises to AUD 45,000 and maximum payment rises to AUD 810. Seniors and Pensioners Tax Offset (SAPTO) available to eligible Australian resident seniors.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA. Australia has DTAs with 40+ countries covering pensions. Retirement income is typically taxed in country of residence or source country depending on DTA provisions. Recipients should check their specific DTA for reduced rates or exclusive taxing rights.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Australian superannuation funds are generally treated as foreign grantor trusts for US tax purposes (FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply). Australian super is not recognised as a pension under the US–Australia tax treaty. The US-Australia totalization agreement covers SG contributions. US persons with Australian super should seek specialist advice on PFIC, FBAR (FinCEN 114), and Form 8938 obligations.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Age Pension is treated as a government pension — most DTAs assign taxing rights to the source country (Australia) or country of residence depending on treaty. Superannuation income streams from taxed funds are generally tax-free for Australian residents aged 60+; non-residents may face different treatment. Foreign resident recipients should check their specific DTA.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"30% (foreign resident tax rate on Age Pension and most Australian-sourced income from first dollar; no tax-free threshold for non-residents). Services Australia does NOT automatically withhold — recipients should request voluntary withholding or lodge Australian tax return."},"indexation":{"notes":"Age Pension is payable overseas indefinitely (unlimited portability) but rate may reduce after 26 weeks based on AWLR. Full rate maintained if AWLR ≥35 years. Proportional rate (AWLR years/35) applies if AWLR <35 years. From 20 September 2026 (new rules): Pension Supplement paid in full for up to 12 weeks overseas (extended from 6 weeks); after 12 weeks overseas it ceases entirely for temporary travellers; permanently overseas recipients lose supplement immediately upon departure (previously reduced to basic amount). Energy Supplement and Pensioner Concession Card cancelled after 6 weeks overseas (Pensioner Concession Card rule unchanged). These reductions apply regardless of agreement country status. Former residents returning to claim must wait 2 years before pension is portable (non-agreement countries). Agreement country residents may have different portability rules. Deeming thresholds from 1 July 2026: 1.25% lower rate (up to AUD 66,800 for singles / AUD 110,600 for couples); 3.25% upper rate.","method":"Indexed to the HIGHEST of: CPI, PBLCI (Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index), or MTAWE (Male Total Average Weekly Earnings). Adjusted twice yearly: 20 March and 20 September. March 2026 indexation resulted in increase of AUD 22.20/fortnight for singles (to AUD 1,200.90/fortnight maximum). Next indexation: 20 September 2026.","abroad_status":"conditional"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Age Pension: indefinite portability — payable overseas permanently but rate may reduce after 26 weeks based on AWLR. Full rate if AWLR ≥35 years; proportional rate (AWLR/35) if less. Agreement countries: totalization available; different portability rules may apply. Non-agreement countries: must be physically present in Australia and an Australian resident to first claim; 2-year wait before pension is portable. Superannuation: fully portable within Australia; subject to conditions of release for access. DASP available for temporary visa holders departing Australia. Trans-Tasman portability: NZ citizens cannot claim DASP but can transfer super to KiwiSaver. From 20 September 2026: Pension Supplement ceases after 12 weeks overseas for temporary travellers (extended from 6 weeks) and immediately upon departure for permanent emigrants."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Age Pension claims are lodged online via myGov/Centrelink online account, by paper form (SA002), or in person at a Services Australia centre. From an AGREEMENT country: contact Centrelink International Services to register claim; may lodge through the agreement country's social security office without returning to Australia. From a NON-AGREEMENT country: must be physically present in Australia and an Australian resident at time of initial claim; 2-year waiting period before pension is portable outside Australia. Claims must be submitted within 13 weeks of starting the online application. Services Australia may request additional documents within 14 days of request.","advance_timeline":"Claims can be submitted up to 13 weeks before reaching Age Pension age (age 67). It is recommended to begin preparing documents well in advance. Services Australia advises starting the process early as approval can take several weeks.","payment_frequency":"Fortnightly into Australian bank account if overseas <12 months. Every 4 weeks if overseas >12 months. Payments to foreign accounts in local currency or USD depending on country.","required_documents":["Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver's licence)","Proof of Australian residence (immigration records, rental agreements, employment records)","Bank account details (Australian and/or foreign)","Details of income and assets (worldwide) — payslips, tax returns, dividend statements, savings accounts, term deposits, investments, superannuation statements","Partner's details and documents (if applicable)","Tax File Number (TFN)","Details of any overseas pensions or social security benefits","For homeowners: proof of address (rates notice) and value of any outstanding mortgages","Certified copies of all documents where required"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"myGov and Centrelink online services accessible from abroad. CRITICAL: set up myGov Code Generator app, myGovID digital identity (myID), or secret questions/answers BEFORE departing Australia. SMS-based 2FA may fail overseas without Australian phone number. myGovID app-based authentication preferred for overseas use. Express Plus Centrelink mobile app also works overseas once set up. Postal address for Centrelink International Services: P.O. Box 7809, Canberra BC ACT Australia. Phone (overseas): +61 3 6222 3455 (24-hour; after-hours answering machine with callback next business day). Hours: Monday to Friday 8am–5pm AEST/AEDT.","proof_of_life_notes":"Centrelink International Services may send proof-of-life forms to overseas recipients. Payment may stop if form not returned or contact details not updated. Contact Centrelink International Services if form not received: +61 3 6222 3455 (24-hour line) or +61 1300 169 468.","international_contact":{"email":null,"hours":"Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm AEST (AEDT during daylight saving months)","phone":"+61 3 6222 3455 (24-hour line; after-hours answering machine with callback next business day; alternatively +61 1300 169 468 from overseas, though international call charges apply)","postal_address":"P.O. Box 7809, Canberra BC ACT Australia"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"English (translation services available via Centrelink multilingual phone service: 131 202)","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Age Pension","type":"state","description":"Means-tested government pension for residents aged 67+. Indexed twice yearly (20 Mar and 20 Sep) to highest of CPI, PBLCI, or MTAWE. From 20 March 2026: maximum rate AUD 1,200.90/fortnight for singles and AUD 905.20/fortnight each for couples (AUD 1,810.40 combined), including base rate, Pension Supplement, and Energy Supplement. Base rate (single): AUD 1,079.70/fn; Pension Supplement: AUD 84.90/fn; Energy Supplement: AUD 14.10/fn. Income test free area: AUD 218/fortnight (single), AUD 380/fortnight (couple combined). Assets test taper: AUD 3.00/fortnight per AUD 1,000 above threshold. From 1 July 2026: full-rate assets threshold AUD 333,000 (single homeowner), AUD 499,000 (couple homeowner). Deeming rates from 1 July 2026: 1.25% (lower rate, assets up to AUD 66,800 for single / AUD 110,600 for couple) and 3.25% (upper rate). Work Bonus: AUD 300/fortnight employment income excluded from income test; unused credits accumulate up to AUD 11,800. From 20 September 2026: Pension Supplement paid in full for up to 12 weeks overseas (extended from 6 weeks); after 12 weeks overseas it ceases entirely for temporary travellers; permanently overseas recipients lose supplement immediately upon departure.","officialUrl":"https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/age-pension","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years qualifying Australian residence (at least 5 continuous). Totalization with agreement countries may count foreign residence/insurance periods toward this requirement.","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Superannuation Guarantee (SG)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory employer defined-contribution scheme. SG rate: 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025 (final legislated rate; no further scheduled increases). Maximum Super Contribution Base: AUD 270,830/year (2026–27; previously AUD 62,500/quarter in 2025–26). Transfer Balance Cap (TBC): AUD 2.1 million (from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2.0M). Concessional cap: AUD 32,500/year (2026–27, up from AUD 30,000). Non-concessional cap: AUD 130,000/year (2026–27, up from AUD 120,000); bring-forward up to AUD 390,000 over 3 years (tiered by TSB: full AUD 390,000 if TSB <AUD 1.84M; AUD 260,000 if TSB AUD 1.84M–1.97M; AUD 130,000 if TSB AUD 1.97M–2.1M; nil if TSB ≥AUD 2.1M). Within-fund tax: 15% on concessional contributions and earnings in accumulation phase; 0% in retirement pension phase. Division 296 tax (effective 1 July 2026): additional 15% on realised earnings attributable to TSB between AUD 3M and AUD 10M (effective 30% total); additional 25% on realised earnings attributable to TSB above AUD 10M (effective 40% total); thresholds CPI-indexed; first assessment year 2026–27 (assessments issued in later half of 2027–28). From 1 July 2026, Payday Super requires SG payment within 7 business days of each pay cycle. Super paid on government-funded Parental Leave Pay from July 2025.","officialUrl":"https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting on contribution. Benefits preserved until a condition of release is met (preservation age 60 + retirement/cessation of employment, or unconditionally at age 65). Transition to Retirement (TTR) income stream available from preservation age while still working (max 10% annual drawdown; earnings taxed at 15% in TTR phase).","contributionRateEmployee":"No mandatory employee contribution (voluntary salary sacrifice permitted within concessional cap of AUD 32,500/year in 2026–27, inclusive of employer SG)","contributionRateEmployer":"12.0% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2025, final legislated rate)"},{"name":"Voluntary Superannuation / Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)","type":"voluntary","description":"Voluntary contributions include salary sacrifice (concessional), personal deductible contributions (concessional, subject to work test for ages 67–74), and non-concessional (after-tax) contributions. Government co-contribution (2026–27): up to AUD 500/year for eligible earners with income below AUD 64,293 (upper threshold) making after-tax contributions; full AUD 500 available for income below AUD 49,293 (lower threshold); TSB must be below AUD 2.1M. LISTO (current): up to AUD 500/year refund of contributions tax for earners ≤AUD 37,000; from 1 July 2027 (legislated): threshold rises to AUD 45,000 and maximum payment rises to AUD 810. Carry-forward rule: unused concessional cap from prior 5 years available if total super balance <AUD 500,000. Downsizer contributions: up to AUD 300,000/person (AUD 600,000/couple) for eligible homeowners aged 55+. SMSF residency rules for non-residents: central management and control must ordinarily be in Australia; temporary absence rule allows 2 years overseas. Failing residency test triggers 47% penalty tax on assets. Non-residents should generally use APRA-regulated funds rather than SMSFs.","officialUrl":"https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/caps-limits-and-tax-on-super-contributions","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Same preservation rules as SG. Voluntary contributions after age 75 are not permitted (except mandated employer SG and downsizer contributions).","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Australia has 32 active international social security agreements (as of August 2026). A 33rd agreement with Uruguay was signed 26 August 2025 and approved by the Uruguayan Senate on 10 June 2026, but remains pending ratification by Uruguay's Chamber of Representatives and is not yet in force. DSS states implementation could take up to 2 years from signing. Negotiations ongoing with Sweden, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, and Mongolia.","Australia's agreement with the United Kingdom ended from 1 March 2001 due to the UK's policy of not indexing UK pensions paid in Australia. UK pensioners in Australia receive frozen UK pensions.","Age Pension paid to non-residents: subject to foreign resident tax rates (30% from first dollar, no tax-free threshold). Services Australia does NOT automatically withhold — recipients should request voluntary withholding or lodge Australian tax return.","DASP for departing temporary visa holders: taxed element 35% (general) or 65% (Working Holiday Maker visa 417/462 — applies to entire payment if any WHM-period contributions included); tax-free element 0%; untaxed element 45%. NZ citizens must transfer to KiwiSaver instead of claiming DASP.","After 26 weeks overseas, Age Pension rate may be proportionalised based on Australian Working Life Residence (AWLR). Full rate maintained only if AWLR ≥35 years. Proportional rate = AWLR years/35. Grandfathering: persons already overseas on 1 July 2014 continue under the old 25-year AWLR rule unless they return to Australia for 26+ weeks and subsequently depart.","From 20 September 2026 (new Pension Supplement overseas rules): Pension Supplement paid in full for up to 12 weeks overseas (doubled from 6 weeks); after 12 weeks it ceases entirely for temporary travellers; permanently overseas recipients lose supplement immediately upon departure. Energy Supplement and Pensioner Concession Card continue to cancel after 6 weeks overseas (unchanged). Around 88,000 recipients already living permanently overseas will see a payment reduction from 20 September 2026.","SMSF non-resident risk: if central management and control of an SMSF is not ordinarily in Australia, the fund may fail the residency test, triggering 47% penalty tax on assets. Temporary absence rule allows 2 years overseas. Non-residents should use APRA-regulated funds.","Division 296 tax (effective 1 July 2026): additional 15% tax on realised super earnings attributable to balances AUD 3M–10M (effective 30% total); additional 25% (effective 40% total) above AUD 10M. Thresholds CPI-indexed. First assessment year: 2026–27 (assessments issued in later half of 2027–28). Applies to individuals, not funds; can be paid from super fund.","US persons with Australian superannuation should seek specialist advice on FBAR, FATCA, PFIC, and Form 8938 obligations. Australian super is not recognised as a pension under the US–Australia tax treaty. The US-Australia totalization agreement covers SG contributions but does not eliminate all US tax reporting requirements.","Trans-Tasman portability: Australian super can be transferred to New Zealand KiwiSaver and vice versa under the Trans-Tasman retirement savings portability scheme. NZ citizens in Australia cannot claim DASP — they must use the KiwiSaver transfer instead.","LISTO legislative change (effective 1 July 2027): income threshold rises from AUD 37,000 to AUD 45,000; maximum payment rises from AUD 500 to AUD 810. Legislated as part of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Act 2026 (passed 10 March 2026)."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Separate the two things called a pension","detail":"The Age Pension is a means-tested government payment based on residence, administered by Services Australia — there is no account and no balance. Superannuation is your own money in a fund. If you worked in Australia and left, super is almost certainly what you are looking for."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families","title":"Sign in to ATO online services through myGov","detail":"The ATO holds a list of every super account reported against your TFN, including ones you have forgotten and any the ATO holds as lost or unclaimed money."},{"n":3,"title":"List every super account and check for lost super","detail":"Small accounts from short jobs are automatically transferred to the ATO after a period of inactivity. This is where money most often turns out to be sitting for people who worked in Australia briefly."},{"n":4,"title":"Get a statement from each fund","detail":"Each fund issues its own annual statement showing the balance, the insurance premiums deducted, and the investment option. Insurance premiums quietly erode small inactive accounts."},{"n":5,"title":"If you have left permanently, check DASP","detail":"Temporary residents who have left Australia permanently can claim a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment. It is taxed, often heavily, and it is only for former temporary-visa holders — permanent residents and citizens cannot use it."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot sign in to myGov from overseas","whatToDo":"myGov sign-in codes go to a phone number or the myGov Code Generator app — set the app up before you need it. The ATO also has an overseas enquiry line and accepts written requests."},{"symptom":"You have several super accounts and did not know","whatToDo":"That is normal: a new account was often opened by each employer before stapling rules changed. Consolidating stops duplicate fees, but check insurance cover before closing an account."},{"symptom":"You are asking about the Age Pension from abroad","whatToDo":"Age Pension depends on Australian residence, and a social security agreement with your country may let periods count. Centrelink International Services is the right contact — not the ATO."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families","portalName":"ATO online services via myGov","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Tax File Number (TFN) — the key to finding every super account ever opened for you.","A myGov account linked to the ATO. myGov can be accessed from overseas, though the sign-in codes assume a working phone number.","Your Australian employers and dates: each one may have opened a different super fund account."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether a myGov account can currently be created from outside Australia without an Australian phone number.","documentNameLocal":"Superannuation statement / ATO super account list","documentNameEnglish":"Superannuation account statement"}},{"country":"Austria","country_code":"AT","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Austria operates one of the most generous public pension systems in the OECD, built around a dominant earnings-related pay-as-you-go (PAYG) first pillar. The system transitioned to an individual pension account model in 2005 under the Act on Harmonisation of Austrian Pension Systems, with a 1.78% annual accrual rate applied to lifetime earnings. The statutory retirement age is 65 for men; for women it is being incrementally raised from 60 to 65 between 2024 and 2033 (reaching 61.5 in 2026). The total contribution rate is 22.8% of gross earnings, split between employees (10.25%) and employers (12.55%), supplemented by federal budget transfers. The maximum monthly contribution base is €6,930 in 2026. Pensions are indexed annually on 1 January based on average CPI inflation; for 2026 the adjustment is 2.7% for pensions up to €2,500/month and a fixed €67.50 for higher pensions. Austria's gross replacement rate for average earners is at or above 70% and the net replacement rate is 85% or more, among the highest in the OECD (Pensions at a Glance 2025).\n\nThe system comprises three pillars: the mandatory statutory pension insurance (Pillar 1), voluntary employer-sponsored occupational pensions via Pensionskassen (Pillar 2), and private personal pension arrangements including the state-subsidised Zukunftsvorsorge (Pillar 3). The first pillar dominates, with only around 25% of employees receiving any supplementary occupational pension. A major 2025 reform package — described as the biggest pension reform in 20 years — introduced a new partial pension (Teilpension) from January 2026, allowing eligible workers to reduce hours by 25–75% while drawing a proportionate pension. The same reform tightened corridor pension eligibility: from January 2026, the minimum age is rising from 62 to 63 (quarterly steps) and required insurance years from 40 to 42 (for those born on/after 1 January 1964). A statutory sustainability mechanism was also legislated to monitor pension expenditure through 2030, with automatic corrective measures triggered if spending exceeds defined targets.\n\nAustria has an extensive network of bilateral social security agreements covering over 30 non-EU countries — including a new agreement with Japan (in force December 2025) and Mongolia (in force August 2026) — in addition to EU/EEA coordination under Regulation (EC) 883/2004. Pensioners living abroad must submit an annual proof-of-life certificate (Lebensbestätigung), with a digital option available via PVA's cooperation with POS Solutions GmbH. Austrian pensions are subject to Austrian income tax; under the US–Austria double tax treaty, Austrian pension payments are exempt from US federal income tax for US residents. Health insurance contributions for pensioners were raised from 5.1% to 6.0% from June 2026.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.pv.at/web/startseite","name":"Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA) Main Website"},{"url":"https://www.neuespensionskonto.at/","name":"Neues Pensionskonto (New Pension Account) Portal"},{"url":"https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/arbeit_beruf_und_pension/pension/1/Abfrage-des-Pensionskontos","name":"Pensionskonto SDG Query (oesterreich.gv.at)"},{"url":"https://www.pv.at/web/service-und-kontakt/kontakt","name":"PVA Contact and Service Portal"},{"url":"https://www.sozialministerium.gv.at/en/Topics/Social-Affairs/Social-Insurance/Pension-Insurance/","name":"Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs — Pension Insurance"},{"url":"https://www.sozialministerium.gv.at/dam/jcr:f6fc3fbc-31fd-4b7b-a803-6aeff9d53ed7/2025_Das%20Pensionssystem%20in%20%C3%96sterreich%20_%20Ein%20%C3%9Cberblick%20_%20Ausgabe%20f%C3%BCr%20das%20Jahr_2025%20en_FINAL.pdf","name":"Pension System in Austria — Overview 2025 (PDF, English)"},{"url":"https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-consulate-general-new-york/service-for-citizens/social-affairs-health/pension","name":"Austrian Foreign Ministry — Pension Information for Abroad (New York)"},{"url":"https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/living-abroad/social-affairs-health/agreements-on-social-security","name":"Social Insurance Agreements (BMEIA)"},{"url":"https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/living-abroad/documents-civil-status-family/proof-of-life","name":"Proof of Life Service (BMEIA)"},{"url":"https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/taxation/double-taxation-agreements/relief-from-austrian-withholding-taxes-under-dtc.html","name":"Double Tax Treaty Relief Information (BMF)"},{"url":"https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/arbeit_beruf_und_pension/pension/Seite.270221","name":"Taxation of Pensions (oesterreich.gv.at)"},{"url":"https://www.fma.gv.at/en/old-age-provision/pensionskassen-pension-funds-what-you-need-to-know/","name":"Occupational Pension Information — FMA"},{"url":"https://www.sozialversicherung.at/cdscontent/?contentid=10007.881165&portal=svportal","name":"Social Insurance Federation Portal (sozialversicherung.at)"},{"url":"https://www.pv.at/cdscontent/load?contentid=10008.781999&version=1768381397","name":"PVA Information for Pensioners Abroad (January 2026)"},{"url":"https://www.sozialministerium.gv.at/en/Topics/Social-Affairs/Social-Insurance/Pension-Insurance/Pension-Increases.html","name":"Pension Adjustment / Indexation (Sozialministerium)"},{"url":"https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/arbeit_beruf_und_pension/pension/2/3/Allgemeines-zur-Korridorpension","name":"Corridor Pension — General Information (oesterreich.gv.at)"},{"url":"https://finanznavi.gv.at/en/topics/risk-management/planning-ahead-saving-for-retirement","name":"Finanznavi — Saving for Retirement (Austrian Government)"},{"url":"https://www.pv.at/web/pension/pensionsarten/teilpension","name":"Partial Pension (Teilpension) — PVA"},{"url":"https://www.sozialministerium.gv.at/Themen/Soziales/Sozialversicherung/Pensionsversicherung/Pensionsarten/Teilpension.html","name":"Partial Pension — Federal Ministry of Social Affairs"},{"url":"https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/arbeit_beruf_und_pension/pension/1/Seite.270300","name":"Pension Adjustment 2026 (oesterreich.gv.at)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/at/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/at","system_type":"Bismarckian / Social insurance — earnings-related defined-benefit PAYG with individual pension account model","pillar_structure":"pillar 1: name: Statutory/Public Pension Insurance (Pensionsversicherung). description: Mandatory state-funded pay-as-you-go system covering all employees and self-employed. Financed through monthly contributions from workers and employers (22.8% total), with federal budget supplements. Managed by PVA (largest carrier, ~5.6 million insured), BVAEB (public servants, railways, mining), SVS (self-employed), and VAN (notaries). Individual pension account model since 2005 with 1.78% annual accrual rate on lifetime earnings. Maximum contribution base €6,930/month (2026). governance: Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK); PVA — Pensionsversicherungsanstalt. contribution model: Pay-as-you-go (current contributions finance current pensions). pillar 2: name: Occupational Pension Provision (Betriebliche Altersvorsorge / Pensionskassen). description: Voluntary employer-sponsored pension plans. Employers make monthly contributions to separate, FMA-regulated pension funds (Pensionskassen). Defined contribution plans are now the norm. Only ~25% of employees receive a supplementary occupational pension. Employer contributions up to 10.25% of salary are tax-deductible. governance: FMA (Finanzmarktaufsicht) regulates Pensionskassen. contribution model: Employer contributions (voluntary); employee contributions possible under scheme rules. pillar 3: name: Private Personal Pension Arrangements (Zukunftsvorsorge / private Pensionsvorsorge). description: Individual voluntary private pension plans. Includes the state-subsidised premium-aided pension savings scheme (Prämienbegünstigte Zukunftsvorsorge) with a government premium of 4.25% on contributions. Citizens may establish personal savings accounts or insurance-based pension products. governance: Individual choice; insurance companies and pension providers; FMA oversight. contribution model: Individual voluntary contributions.","replacement_rate_gross":"≥70% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); net replacement rate ≥85%","min_qualifying_period":"180 months (15 years) of insurance for standard old-age pension, of which at least 84 months (7 years) must be from gainful employment","min_qualifying_partial":"Partial/pro-rata pension possible under EU/EEA coordination (EC 883/2004) and bilateral agreements by aggregating periods; minimum 12 months Austrian coverage required for US totalization","aggregation_rules":"EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009: insurance periods in all 27 EU member states + EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) + Switzerland are fully recognized and totalized; benefits calculated on pro-rata basis. Single application in any coordination country triggers full international assessment. Bilateral agreements with 30+ non-EU countries allow aggregation of insurance periods for pension eligibility. Under US–Austria totalization: minimum 12 months Austrian coverage (if applying in Austria) or 18 months US coverage (if applying in US) required.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA Member States (27 EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)","Switzerland","United Kingdom (via EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement)","Albania","Australia","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Brazil","Canada","Chile","Hong Kong","India","Israel","Japan","Mexico","Moldova","Mongolia","Montenegro","Morocco","North Macedonia","Philippines","Republic of Korea","Serbia","Tunisia","Turkey","Ukraine","Uruguay","United States"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total pension contribution rate is 22.8% of gross earnings for employees (employee 10.25% + employer 12.55%). Self-employed (GSVG/FSVG) pay 18.5% with a federal 'partner contribution' (Partnerleistung) of 4.3% making up the difference to 22.8%. Farmers pay 17.0% with a 5.8% federal partner contribution. Maximum contribution base is €6,930/month (2026) for regular payments (up from €6,450 in 2025). Employer also pays 1.53% of gross salary into mandatory employee provident fund (Mitarbeitervorsorgekasse). Contributions are exempt from income tax; pensions in payment are taxed as employment income. Health insurance contributions for pensioners raised from 5.1% to 6.0% from June 2026.","employee_pct":"10.25","employer_pct":"12.55","self_employed_pct":"18.5"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Retroactive self-insurance possible for up to 12 months; Nachkauf applications accepted on an ongoing basis","available":true,"annual_cost":"Voluntary self-insurance contribution base and rate set annually; reduced rate for retroactive purchase of pension credits (Nachkauf) is €47.45 per month of credit (2026). Self-insurance for caregivers of relatives with severe care needs is cost-free (contributions borne by federal budget).","benefit_per_year":"Each additional contribution month increases pension account credit by 1.78% of the annual benchmark contribution base for that year","eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary self-insurance (Freiwillige Versicherung) available for Austrians living abroad, persons with gaps in contribution history, and marginally employed persons. Self-insurance for caregivers of relatives with severe care needs is cost-free (contributions borne by federal budget; monthly contribution base €2,300.10 in 2025). Retroactive self-insurance possible for up to 12 months. Pillar 3 Prämienbegünstigte Zukunftsvorsorge available to all Austrian residents."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+5.1% per year (maximum +15.3% for 3 years of deferral beyond standard retirement age, up to age 68). Additionally, workers who defer and continue working are exempt from pension contributions on first €1,037/month of earnings for up to 2 years (employee exemption only; employer contributions continue).","early_reduction":"-0.425% per month (-5.1% per year) before standard retirement age for Corridor Pension; maximum deduction 15.3% (3 years). Heavy Labour Pension: -1.8% per year before statutory retirement age."},"access_options":{"notes":"Statutory pension (ASVG/APG): lifetime annuity only; no lump sum option. Paid in 14 instalments per year (12 monthly + June and November special payments). Occupational pensions (Pensionskassen): annuity by default; lump sum available only if vested amount does not exceed a statutory minimum threshold (indexed annually). Occupational collective insurance (Betriebliche Kollektivversicherung): lifelong annuity only; lump sums not permitted unless below minimum threshold. New Severance Pay (Mitarbeitervorsorgekasse): lump sum (taxed at 6%) or lifelong pension (tax-free) at retirement. Pillar 3 Zukunftsvorsorge: annuity preferred; lump sum available at maturity but investment gains subject to 27.5% KESt and 50% of state bonuses must be repaid. Partial pension (Teilpension) from January 2026: eligible workers may reduce hours by 25–75% and draw a proportionate pension while continuing to work.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"EU/EEA portability fully applies under EC 883/2004. Statutory pension payable worldwide; direct transfer to foreign bank account available on application. Occupational pension governed by scheme rules; vested rights preserved on departure. Austria has extensive bilateral social security agreement network. Non-resident withholding tax applies per applicable DTA."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Occupational Pensionskasse lump sum (if below statutory minimum threshold): taxed at progressive rates. Mitarbeitervorsorgekasse lump sum at retirement: taxed at flat 6%. Zukunftsvorsorge lump sum at maturity: investment gains subject to 27.5% KESt (Kapitalertragsteuer) and 50% of accumulated state bonuses must be repaid; annuity benefits taxed as earned income.","special_tax_regimes":"14 annual pension payments: the 13th and 14th payments (June and November) receive preferential tax treatment at a flat rate. Ausgleichszulage (minimum pension top-up) is not taxable. From 2026, new first-year adjustment rule: pensions commencing in 2025 receive only 50% of the standard annual adjustment in January 2026.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; under US–Austria DTA, Austrian pension payments are exempt from US federal income tax for US residents. Austria has approximately 92 double tax treaties.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Austrian statutory pension is a foreign pension for US tax purposes; reportable on Form 1040. FBAR required if Austrian bank accounts exceed $10,000. FATCA (Form 8938) may apply. Austria–US FATCA IGA in force. WEP/GPO provisions repealed as of January 2025 (Social Security Fairness Act), benefiting Austrians receiving both Austrian and US Social Security pensions.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Both statutory pensions and occupational pensions from Pensionskassen are treated as income from employment and subject to progressive Austrian income tax. Wage tax is withheld at source by the pension-paying body. Employer-financed Pensionskasse benefits are taxed as earned income; only 24% of employee-financed Pensionskasse benefits are taxed as income. Contributions to statutory pension insurance are exempt from income tax.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0–55% (progressive Austrian income tax rates apply to pension income; reduced under applicable double tax treaties)"},"indexation":{"notes":"Austrian statutory pensions are uprated annually regardless of country of residence. Pensions are increased on 1 January each year based on average CPI inflation (reference period: August of preceding year to July before that). For 2025: pensions up to €6,060/month increased by 4.6%; above that threshold a fixed amount applies. For 2026: pensions up to €2,500/month increased by 2.7%; above that a fixed amount of €67.50 per month. New from 2026: pensions commencing in 2025 receive only 50% of the standard adjustment in their first January (replacing the previous pro-rata aliquotierung system). The Ausgleichszulage (minimum pension supplement) is not portable abroad. Occupational pension (Pensionskasse) indexation depends on investment returns and scheme rules.","method":"Annual CPI-based adjustment; reference value = average inflation rate August of preceding year to July before that; applied 1 January. For 2025: reference value 1.046. For 2026: reference value 1.027 (Parliament legislated a deviation: 2.7% for pensions ≤€2,500/month; fixed €67.50 for higher pensions). New first-year adjustment rule from 2026: all new pensions receive 50% of the adjustment factor in their first January, regardless of the month they commenced.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU/EEA: full portability under EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009; periods aggregated across all coordination countries; pro-rata benefit calculation. Switzerland: covered under bilateral agreement aligned with EU rules. UK: covered under EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provisions. Non-EU bilateral agreement countries (30+): pension periods aggregated for eligibility; pro-rata benefits paid by each country. Statutory pension payable worldwide by direct bank transfer on application. Occupational pension (Pensionskasse): vested rights preserved on departure; transfer to another Pensionskasse possible subject to FMA rules and scheme consent."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to PVA (Pensionsversicherungsanstalt) or relevant pension insurer (BVAEB, SVS) ideally 6–12 months before desired pension start date. Submit application for old-age pension (Antrag auf Altersruhegeldpension). PVA calculates entitlement based on individual pension account. For EU/EEA pensions, a single application in Austria triggers automatic assessment of all coordination country periods. For bilateral agreement countries, PVA coordinates with the foreign institution. Pension can be paid directly to a foreign bank account on application. Official language is German; correspondence in other languages may be delayed for translation.","advance_timeline":"6–12 months before desired start date recommended","payment_frequency":"14 times per year (12 monthly payments plus special payments in June and November)","required_documents":["Austrian ID card or passport","e-card (Austrian social insurance card) or insurance number","Birth certificate","Employment and contribution records (Versicherungsdatenauszug — available online via PVA portal)","Marriage certificate (if applicable, for survivor's pension)","Foreign bank account details (for direct transfer abroad)","Proof of residence abroad (if applicable)","Foreign pension/insurance records (for EU/bilateral coordination)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Pension account (Pensionskonto) accessible online via neuespensionskonto.at using ID Austria digital identity or FinanzOnline. Pension statement can also be requested by post. PVA online portal accessible internationally. Digital proof-of-life submission available for foreign pensioners via PVA/POS Solutions GmbH partnership.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual Lebensbestätigung (proof of life / life certificate) required for all pensioners living abroad. PVA sends the form in January each year. Must be returned signed by the pensioner and validated by the nearest Austrian diplomatic representation (embassy/consulate) or a notary public. If not received by PVA within 6 months (by June), pension payments are temporarily suspended. Pensioners who have not received the form by end of February may print it from the PVA website. A digital proof-of-life option is available via PVA's cooperation with POS Solutions GmbH, eliminating the need for in-person visits to consulates. Pensioners must also notify PVA within 2 weeks of any change of address or circumstances affecting entitlement.","international_contact":{"phone":"PVA Abteilung Internationale Beziehungen (International Department), Friedrich-Hillegeist-Straße 1, 1021 Vienna; Phone: +43 (0)5 03 03-28 850; Email: pva@pv.at"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"German (official); English correspondence accepted but may be delayed for translation","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Old-Age Pension (Altersruhegeldpension / Regelpension)","type":"state","description":"Standard statutory old-age pension under ASVG. Requires reaching statutory retirement age (65 for men; incrementally rising from 60 to 65 for women between 2024–2033; women's age in 2026 is 61.5) and a minimum of 180 insurance months (15 years), of which at least 84 months (7 years) must be from gainful employment. Pension calculated from individual pension account at 1.78% accrual rate on lifetime earnings. Maximum contribution base €6,930/month (2026). Paid in 14 instalments per year (12 monthly + June and November supplements). Minimum pension guaranteed via Ausgleichszulage top-up (€1,308.39/month for singles in 2026).","officialUrl":"https://www.pv.at/web/startseite","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"180 months (15 years) minimum insurance period, of which at least 84 months (7 years) from gainful employment","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Corridor Pension (Korridorpension)","type":"state","description":"Flexible early retirement scheme. From 1 January 2026, for persons born on or after 1 January 1964, the minimum age is being gradually raised from 62 to 63 (in quarterly steps of 2 months, reaching 63 for those born from April 1965), and required insurance months are rising from 480 to 504 months (40 to 42 years, reaching 42 years for those retiring from 2029). Persons born before 1 January 1964 are unaffected by the 2026 changes. Pension is reduced by 0.425% per month (5.1% per year) claimed before the standard retirement age, up to a maximum deduction of 15.3% (3 years). Currently applies to men; applicable to women from 2030. Corridor pension is forfeited if the pensioner re-enters compulsory pension insurance through employment.","officialUrl":"https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/arbeit_beruf_und_pension/pension/2/3/Allgemeines-zur-Korridorpension","vestingYears":42,"vestingPeriod":"480–504 months (40–42 years) of insurance depending on birth year; transitional rules apply for those born 1964–1965","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Long-Term Contributor Pension (Langzeitversichertenpension)","type":"state","description":"Early retirement for long-term insured persons. Requires 540 insurance months (45 years), of which at least 120 months must be actual paid contributions within the last 240 calendar months. Earliest retirement age is 60 for men (women from 2030). Subject to deductions if claimed before standard retirement age.","officialUrl":"https://www.pv.at/web/startseite","vestingYears":45,"vestingPeriod":"540 months (45 years) of insurance, including 120 months of paid contributions in last 240 months","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Heavy Labour Pension (Schwerarbeitspension)","type":"state","description":"Early retirement for persons engaged in physically arduous work. Requires 540 insurance months (45 years) including at least 120 months of arduous work in the last 240 months. Earliest retirement age is 60. Deduction of 1.8% per year before statutory retirement age. Applicable to women from 2030. Nursing care workers added to the scheme from 1 January 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.pv.at/web/startseite","vestingYears":45,"vestingPeriod":"540 months (45 years) including 120 months of arduous work in last 240 months","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Partial Pension (Teilpension)","type":"state","description":"New scheme in force from 1 January 2026. Allows workers who already meet the requirements for any form of retirement pension (old-age, corridor, heavy labour, or long-term contributor pension) to reduce working hours by 25–75% (by written agreement with employer) and draw a proportionate share of their pension simultaneously. The remaining pension entitlement continues to accrue in the pension account. Employer consent required; no legal entitlement. Replaces and restricts the previous phased retirement (Altersteilzeit) model, which is now limited to a maximum of 3 years. Employer wage compensation for part-time retirees temporarily reduced from 90% to 80% during 2026–2028.","officialUrl":"https://www.pv.at/web/pension/pensionsarten/teilpension","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Must meet requirements for a qualifying pension type; employer agreement required","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Invalidity / Occupational Disability Pension (Invaliditätspension / Berufsunfähigkeitspension)","type":"state","description":"Paid to insured persons who are permanently unable to work due to illness or disability. Rehabilitation takes priority over pension award for persons under 50. For those over 50, invalidity pension may be granted if retraining is not expedient. Minimum insurance period applies. Benefit calculated from pension account.","officialUrl":"https://www.pv.at/web/startseite","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum insurance period required; varies by age and circumstances","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Survivor's Pension (Witwen-/Witwerpension / Waisenpension)","type":"state","description":"Widows'/widowers' pension calculated at 60% of the deceased's pension entitlement. Orphan's pension: 40% for children who lost one parent, 60% for twice-orphaned children. Paid retroactively from day after death if application received within 6 months. Subject to income testing in some cases.","officialUrl":"https://www.pv.at/web/startseite","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Derived from deceased's insurance record","contributionRateEmployee":"10.25%","contributionRateEmployer":"12.55%"},{"name":"Occupational Pension (Pensionskasse / Betriebliche Altersvorsorge)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored defined contribution pension fund. Employer contributions up to 10.25% of gross salary are tax-deductible. Defined contribution plans are the norm; defined benefit and hybrid schemes also exist. Only ~25% of Austrian employees participate. Benefits paid as lifelong annuity; lump sum available only if vested amount does not exceed a statutory minimum threshold (indexed annually). Regulated by FMA. Multi-employer Pensionskassen available for smaller companies.","officialUrl":"https://www.fma.gv.at/en/old-age-provision/pensionskassen-pension-funds-what-you-need-to-know/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Vesting rules set by scheme; vested amount preserved on job change","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; scheme-dependent","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; up to 10.25% of gross salary tax-deductible"},{"name":"New Severance Pay / Employee Provident Fund (Mitarbeitervorsorgekasse / Abfertigung Neu)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory employer contribution of 1.53% of monthly gross salary into individual employee provident fund accounts (Mitarbeitervorsorgekassen, MVK) for all employees starting employment from January 2003. At retirement, employee may choose lump sum (taxed at flat 6%) or lifelong pension (tax-free). On job change after minimum 3 years of contributions, employee may take immediate payout or leave funds to accumulate. In practice ~90% take payout on job change.","officialUrl":"https://www.wko.at/service/arbeitsrecht-sozialrecht/abfertigung-neu.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 36 months of contributions for payout on job change","contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"1.53% of gross monthly salary"},{"name":"Premium-Aided Private Pension Savings (Prämienbegünstigte Zukunftsvorsorge)","type":"private","description":"State-subsidised voluntary private pension savings scheme (Pillar 3). Contributions attract a government premium subsidy of 4.25% on contributions. Can be taken as annuity at maturity (annuity benefits taxed as earned income; lump sum not taxed if taken as annuity). If taken as lump sum: investment gains subject to 27.5% capital gains tax (KESt) and 50% of accumulated state bonuses must be repaid to the government. Primarily equity-linked with minimum capital guarantee. Minimum holding period applies for full premium retention.","officialUrl":"https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/taxation/income-tax/zukunftsvorsorge.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum holding period applies for premium retention","contributionRateEmployee":"Individual voluntary","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009 apply across all 27 EU member states + EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) + Switzerland; single application in any coordination country triggers full international assessment and pro-rata benefit calculation.","Austria has bilateral social security agreements with 30+ non-EU countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Japan (in force December 2025), Mongolia (in force August 2026), South Korea, India, Brazil, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and others.","UK: no separate bilateral agreement post-Brexit; covered by EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provisions.","Ausgleichszulage (minimum pension top-up, €1,308.39/month for singles in 2026) is not portable abroad and cannot be claimed by pensioners residing outside Austria.","Austrian statutory pension is payable worldwide by direct bank transfer; application required for foreign account transfer.","Annual proof-of-life (Lebensbestätigung) required for all overseas pensioners; digital submission option available via PVA/POS Solutions GmbH partnership.","Under the US–Austria double tax treaty, Austrian pension payments are exempt from US federal income tax for US residents; Austrian income tax still applies at source.","WEP/GPO provisions in the US were repealed effective January 2025 (Social Security Fairness Act), benefiting Austrians receiving both Austrian and US Social Security pensions.","Partial pension (Teilpension) scheme from January 2026 allows eligible workers to reduce hours by 25–75% while drawing a proportionate pension; employer consent required.","Corridor pension (Korridorpension) minimum age rising from 62 to 63 (quarterly steps) and required insurance years from 40 to 42 from January 2026 for those born on/after 1 January 1964; persons born before 1 January 1964 are unaffected.","Women's retirement age is being incrementally raised by 6 months per year from 60 (2023) to 65 (2033); in 2026 the statutory retirement age for women is approximately 61.5.","Sustainability mechanism legislated in 2025 will monitor pension expenditure through 2030; automatic corrective measures triggered if spending exceeds targets by 0.5% of GDP.","Health insurance contributions for pensioners raised from 5.1% to 6.0% from June 2026 as part of budget consolidation measures.","New first-year pension adjustment rule from 2026: pensions commencing in 2025 receive only 50% of the standard annual adjustment in January 2026.","Maximum monthly contribution base raised from €6,450 (2025) to €6,930 (2026)."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.neuespensionskonto.at/","title":"Open the Pensionskonto portal","detail":"The Pensionskonto is the running account of everything you have accrued in the Austrian system since 2005, with pre-2005 periods carried in as an opening balance."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/arbeit_beruf_und_pension/pension/1/Abfrage-des-Pensionskontos","title":"Sign in with ID Austria","detail":"You can also reach the same query through oesterreich.gv.at, the central government portal, which uses the same identity."},{"n":3,"title":"Read the Kontoerstgutschrift and the annual credits","detail":"The account shows a total credit (Gesamtgutschrift) and what it would pay per month at the statutory age. Austria pays 14 pension instalments a year, so an Austrian monthly figure is not directly comparable with a 12-month country."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.pv.at/web/service-und-kontakt/kontakt","title":"Request the full insurance record from PVA","detail":"The Versicherungsdatenauszug lists every insured month with its employer, which is what you need to spot missing periods. PVA is the insurer for private-sector employees; if you were a civil servant or self-employed, your insurer is BVAEB or SVS instead."},{"n":5,"title":"Save both documents","detail":"Download the account statement and the insurance record as PDFs. Together they are the evidence for any correction request, and the pair is what an adviser will ask for."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot get an ID Austria from outside Austria","whatToDo":"Austrian embassies and consulates can carry out the identification step. If that is not practical, PVA will send the Versicherungsdatenauszug by post on a written request quoting your insurance number and date of birth — slower, but it needs no digital identity."},{"symptom":"You do not know your insurance number","whatToDo":"It appears on any Austrian payslip, e-card, or correspondence from PVA. If you have none, PVA can trace it from your full name, date and place of birth, and your Austrian employers."},{"symptom":"Years you worked in Austria are missing from the account","whatToDo":"Periods before 2005 are carried in as a single opening credit rather than shown year by year, which often looks like a gap. Ask PVA for a Kontoklärung (account clarification) and send whatever employment evidence you still hold."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.neuespensionskonto.at/","portalName":"Neues Pensionskonto","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Austrian insurance number (Versicherungsnummer) — the 10-digit number on your e-card, also printed on old Austrian payslips.","ID Austria (the successor to Handy-Signatur). This is the usual blocker from abroad: it generally has to be activated in person, though Austrian embassies and consulates can register you.","The names and approximate dates of your Austrian employers, so you can tell whether a gap in the record is real."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether every Austrian consulate can complete the ID Austria identification, and how long the postal record request takes to reach a foreign address.","documentNameLocal":"Pensionskontoauszug / Versicherungsdatenauszug","documentNameEnglish":"Pension account statement / insurance record extract"}},{"country":"Belgium","country_code":"BE","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":66,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Belgium operates a four-pillar pension system built on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) earnings-related state pension (Pillar 1), supplementary occupational pensions (Pillar 2), individual pension savings (Pillar 3), and general voluntary savings (Pillar 4). The first pillar covers employees, self-employed persons, and civil servants through separate but increasingly harmonised sub-schemes, all managed by the Federal Pensions Service (FPD/SFP). The pension calculation rate is 60% of career-average earnings for single recipients and 75% for households with a dependent spouse, divided over a reference career of 45 years. A full pension requires 45 career years; partial pensions are paid proportionally for shorter careers. The statutory retirement age rose from 65 to 66 in February 2025 and is legislated to rise to 67 in 2030.\n\nMajor reforms are ongoing under the 2025–2029 'Arizona' coalition agreement. A new pension bonus-malus system is being phased in: the bonus (for working past statutory retirement age) accrues from 1 January 2026, while the malus (for early retirement without 35 career years) applies to pensions starting from 1 January 2027. The old lump-sum pension bonus introduced in July 2024 was abolished as of 1 January 2026. From 2027, early retirement will also be possible from age 60 with 42 qualifying career years, each including at least 234 FTE days of actual work. The 2025 coalition agreement also mandates a minimum employer contribution of 3% of salary to supplementary pensions for all employees by 2035, and plans to unify pension calculation rules across employee, self-employed, and civil servant schemes. The Wijninckx special contribution on high occupational pensions rose sharply from 3% to 12.5% from contribution year 2026.\n\nBelgian pensions are indexed to the smoothed health index: each time the pivot index is crossed (approximately every 2%), pensions are increased by 2%, applied three months after the crossing (a delay extended from two months by the Programme Act of 18 July 2025). From 2026, a 'cent index' measure caps the full 2% indexation to the bracket up to €2,000 gross/month for social benefits (including pensions). This indexation applies to pensioners both in Belgium and abroad. Belgium has an extensive network of bilateral social security totalization agreements with 25 non-EU countries and is fully integrated into EU coordination rules under Regulation 883/2004.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.sfpd.fgov.be","name":"Federal Pensions Service (FPD/SFP)"},{"url":"https://www.mypension.be","name":"MyPension (pension simulation and application portal)"},{"url":"https://www.sigedis.be","name":"SIGEDIS (supplementary pension data)"},{"url":"https://www.rsvz.be","name":"INASTI/RSVZ (National Institute for Social Security of the Self-Employed)"},{"url":"https://www.overseassocialsecurity.be","name":"Overseas Social Security (OSS — voluntary coverage abroad)"},{"url":"https://www.fsma.be","name":"FSMA (Financial Services and Markets Authority — Pillar 2 regulator)"},{"url":"https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/belgians-abroad/your-belgian-pension-abroad","name":"FPS Foreign Affairs — Belgian pension abroad"},{"url":"https://www.socialsecurity.be/CMS/en/leaving_belgium/FODSZ_Convention","name":"Belgian Social Security — Bilateral Agreements"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/be/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/be","system_type":"Bismarckian earnings-related PAYG with supplementary funded pillars; separate sub-schemes for employees, self-employed, and civil servants being gradually harmonised","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Statutory PAYG earnings-related pension (mandatory, DB); Pillar 2: Occupational/supplementary pensions (quasi-mandatory, employer-sponsored, DC/DB/cash balance); Pillar 3: Individual pension savings (pensioensparen/épargne-pension, voluntary, tax-advantaged); Pillar 4: General voluntary savings (no specific tax advantage)","replacement_rate_gross":"~46% for average earner (Pillar 1 only, OECD 2025); net replacement rate around OECD average (~63%) when including occupational pensions","min_qualifying_period":"No universal minimum for any pension; entitlement is proportional to career. Full pension: 45 career years. Minimum pension: at least 2/3 of a full career (approx. 30 years), with stricter actual-work requirements (5,000 days / ~20 years of actual work) from 2025.","min_qualifying_partial":"Any period of insured employment generates proportional pension entitlement (e.g., 30/45ths of minimum pension for 30-year career)","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation 883/2004 applies: insurance periods across EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK are aggregated to meet qualifying conditions; each country pays a pro-rata share based on its own periods. Belgium also aggregates periods under bilateral agreements with 25 non-EU countries. Foreign periods used to determine early retirement eligibility and pension start date.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA Member States","Switzerland","United Kingdom","Albania","Algeria","Argentina","Australia","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Brazil","Canada (including separate Québec agreement)","Chile","Democratic Republic of Congo","India","Israel","Japan","Kosovo","North Macedonia","Moldova","Montenegro","Morocco","Philippines","San Marino","Serbia","South Korea","Tunisia","Turkey","United States","Uruguay"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employee contributions of 13.07% are uncapped and unchanged by 2025 reforms. Employer basic contributions (~24.92% in private sector) are capped at €85,000 gross per employee per quarter from 1 July 2025 (Programme Act of 18 July 2025); threshold expected to decrease to €67,500/quarter from 2027. Special employer contributions (8.86% on supplementary pension premiums, Wijninckx contribution now 12.5% from 2026, closure fund, etc.) remain uncapped. Self-employed pay 20.5% on net taxable income up to ~€108,000/year. Pension salary ceiling for benefit calculation: €80,485.32/year (2024); contributions above this do not accrue additional pension rights.","employee_pct":"13.07 (total social security; 7.5% pension-specific; uncapped)","employer_pct":"~25-27 (total social security; ~24.92% basic contribution capped at €85,000 gross/quarter per employee from 1 July 2025; additional ~3% contributions remain uncapped; 8.86% pension-specific on supplementary pension premiums)","self_employed_pct":"20.5 (of net taxable income; capped at ~€108,000/year)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Pillar 3 contributions must be made by 31 December of the tax year","available":true,"annual_cost":"Pillar 3 pensioensparen: up to €1,350/year (2026 ceiling, indexed annually); long-term savings: up to ~€2,530/year (2025, indexed annually). VAPZ for self-employed: higher limits apply. Overseas Social Security (OSS) voluntary coverage available for Belgians working outside EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK.","benefit_per_year":"Pillar 3: 30% tax credit on contributions up to €1,050 (max €315/year); 25% tax credit on contributions up to €1,350 (max €337.50/year). Final 8% tax at age 60 on accumulated capital. Higher limit of €1,350 must be explicitly opted into each year.","eligibility_conditions":"Pillar 3 pensioensparen: Belgian tax residents (or EEA residents with Belgian-source income) aged 18-65. VAPZ/PLCI: self-employed persons. OSS voluntary coverage: Belgian nationals or long-term residents working outside EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK who wish to maintain Belgian social security coverage."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"From 2026: new pension bonus accrues from 1 January 2026 for those who postpone retirement past statutory retirement age. Bonus rate: 2% per year of postponement for those born before 1963; 4% for those born 1963–1972; 5% for those born after 1972. Bonus applies to pensions starting from 1 January 2027. The old lump-sum pension bonus (introduced July 2024) was abolished as of 1 January 2026.","early_reduction":"From 2027: pension malus applies to pensions starting on or after 1 January 2027 for those retiring before statutory retirement age without 35 career years (each including at least 156 FTE days). Malus rate: 2% per year of early retirement for those born before 1963; 4% for those born 1963–1972; 5% for those born after 1972. No malus if retiring at statutory retirement age (66, rising to 67 in 2030) regardless of career length. Current early retirement conditions (unchanged): age 60 with 44 years, age 61 with 43 years, age 63 with 42 years. From 2027, additional early retirement possible at age 60 with 42 qualifying years each including at least 234 FTE days."},"access_options":{"notes":"Pillar 1 statutory pension: periodic annuity only (monthly payments). Pillar 2 occupational pensions: lump sum is the most common form at retirement (taxed at 10.09% if active until statutory retirement age of 66, or 16.66% if taken after age 60 but before statutory retirement age). Government plans to reduce tax disadvantage of annuity form. Pillar 3 individual pension savings: lump sum at age 60 taxed at 8% (automatically withheld); early withdrawal before 60 taxed at 33%. Minimum guaranteed return on Pillar 2 increased to 2.5% from January 2025.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"EU portability rules apply under Regulation 883/2004. Statutory pension (Pillar 1) payable worldwide to all countries with which Belgium has a bilateral agreement or EU/EEA membership. Occupational pension (Pillar 2) lump sum available at retirement regardless of residency. Non-resident taxation per applicable DTA; Belgium generally retains taxing rights on civil servant pensions; private/occupational pensions typically taxable in country of residence under most DTAs."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Pillar 2 lump sums: taxed at 10.09% if employee remained active until statutory retirement age (66); 16.66% if taken after age 60 but before statutory retirement age. Pillar 3 (pensioensparen): 8% final tax at age 60, automatically withheld; 33% penalty for early withdrawal before 60. All rates subject to additional municipal surcharge (residents) or flat 6% national surcharge (non-residents). Solidarity contribution on supplementary pension lump sums uniformly set at 2% from 1 January 2026; additional 2% levy on amounts exceeding the aggregate occupational pension threshold of €150,000 from 1 July 2027.","special_tax_regimes":"Special Tax Regime for Inbound Taxpayers (BBIB/STR), introduced 1 January 2022, requires minimum qualifying gross remuneration of €70,000/year (as of 2025) and may affect pension contribution deductibility. Solidarity contribution (2% from 2026, automatically withheld) on all statutory and occupational pensions above certain thresholds. Wijninckx contribution (12.5% from 2026) on employer occupational pension premiums where combined pension exceeds the pension target threshold. RIZIV/INAMI healthcare contribution (3.55%) withheld from pensions above minimum threshold.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; most DTAs allocate private pension taxation to country of residence (exempting Belgian withholding); government/civil servant pensions typically taxable in Belgium as source state. Belgium has DTAs with over 150 countries.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Belgian statutory pension (Pillar 1) is a foreign social security benefit — reportable on US tax return; treaty may provide partial exclusion. Pillar 2 occupational pension plans may be reportable on FBAR/FATCA (Form 8938) depending on account value. US-Belgium DTA (2006) includes pension provisions; US Social Security Agreement with Belgium coordinates benefits. US savings clause preserves broad US taxing power over US citizens.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes — civil servant (government) pensions are generally taxable in Belgium as source state even for non-residents. Private-sector and self-employed pensions are typically taxable in the country of residence under most DTAs.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive income tax rates apply (25-50%) as for residents; withholding tax deducted at source on Belgian-source pension income. Exemption available under applicable DTA if country of residence has exclusive taxing rights — requires annual tax residence certificate. Civil servant pensions remain taxable in Belgium regardless of DTA."},"indexation":{"notes":"Belgian pensions are fully indexed to the smoothed health index (4-month moving average of the health index, which excludes alcohol, tobacco, and motor fuels from CPI). Each time the smoothed health index crosses the pivot/central index (approximately every 2%), all pensions — including those paid abroad — are increased by 2%. The Programme Act of 18 July 2025 extended the delay between pivot crossing and indexation application from two months to three months. The pivot index was crossed in December 2025 (triggering a 2% increase in March 2026) and again in June 2026 (triggering a 2% increase in September 2026). From 2026, a 'cent index' (centenindex) measure applies: the 2% indexation only applies in full to the bracket up to €2,000 gross/month for social benefits (including pensions); pensions above this threshold receive a flat €40 increase per indexation event. The next pivot crossings are forecast for December 2026 and late 2027. Civil servant pensions additionally subject to 'perequation' linked to active civil servant salary evolution.","method":"Automatic 2% increase each time the smoothed health index (4-month moving average) crosses the central/pivot index. Applied three months after crossing (extended from two months by Programme Act of 18 July 2025). From 2026, full 2% applies only to pension bracket up to €2,000 gross/month; higher pensions receive a capped flat increase of €40 per indexation event under the 'cent index' measure.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU Regulation 883/2004 applies: pension rights maintained and aggregated across all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. UK periods recognised post-Brexit under EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Bilateral agreements with 25 non-EU countries allow aggregation of insurance periods. Pillar 2 occupational pension rights are preserved (deferred) upon leaving an employer; transfer to new employer's plan or to a vested benefits institution (OFP) is possible. EEA cross-border transfers of Pillar 2 rights are tax-exempt under certain conditions. No cash refund of Pillar 1 contributions upon departure."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to the Federal Pensions Service (FPD/SFP) via mypension.be, through a Belgian municipality, or via the pension institution of the country of residence (for EU/EEA/bilateral agreement countries). Applications can be submitted at earliest 12 months before desired pension date and at latest 1 month before. Decision issued within 4 months (longer for mixed/international careers). For US residents: apply via US Social Security Administration using form SSA-2490-BK. For other bilateral agreement countries: apply through local social security authority which coordinates with Belgium. Self-employed apply to INASTI/RSVZ. Contact: Federal Pensions Service, Zuidertoren, Europaesplanade 1, 1060 Brussels; Phone: +32 78 15 17 65 (from abroad: +32 78 15 17 65); Email: cc.nl@sfpd.fgov.be or cc.fr@sfpd.fgov.be.","advance_timeline":"12 months before desired pension date (earliest); 1 month before (latest)","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["eID or valid passport","Career records (if not already in Belgian social security database)","Bank account details (IBAN)","Proof of residence abroad","Birth certificate","Marriage/civil partnership/divorce documents (if applicable)","Foreign career/insurance period documentation (for international careers)","Tax residence certificate (for DTA withholding tax exemption claims)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"mypension.be is accessible from abroad in French, Dutch, and German. Login requires Belgian eID (electronic identity card) or European digital identity. Non-residents without eID must visit a Belgian registration office to obtain an identification key sent by post. Portal allows pension simulation, application submission, viewing of career data, and submission of life certificate.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual Certificate of Life (Certificat de vie / Levensverklaring / Lebensbescheinigung) required for all pensioners residing abroad. FPD sends the certificate annually; must be returned within 30 days of receipt (by post or via mypension.be). OSS sends its certificate every September with a deadline of 31 December. Can be signed by local authorities, notary, or Belgian embassy/consulate. Failure to return may result in suspension of pension payments (payments restored retrospectively once certificate received). Non-resident pensioners must also submit an annual Belgian non-resident income tax return (BNI) if Belgium retains taxing rights.","international_contact":{"phone":"SFP International Office, Bureau des Conventions internationales, Tour du Midi, Esplanade de l'Europe 1, 1060 Brussels; Phone: +32 78 15 17 65; Email: info@sfpd.fgov.be"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"French, Dutch, or German (official Belgian languages); English not available for official correspondence with FPS Finance","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Pillar 1: Statutory/Legal Pension (Wettelijk Pensioen / Pension Légale)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory PAYG earnings-related state pension financed through social security contributions on salaries. Three sub-schemes: Werknemerspensioen (employees, private sector), Zelfstandigenpensioen (self-employed), and Ambtenarenpensioen (civil servants). All managed by the Federal Pensions Service (FPD/SFP) since 2016. Pension calculated as: (career salary × pension rate) / 45. Pension rate is 60% for singles, 75% for households with a dependent spouse. Full pension requires 45 career years; partial pensions paid proportionally. Minimum pension applies for those with at least 2/3 of a full career (approx. 30 years, with stricter actual-work requirements from 2025). Assimilated periods (illness, unemployment, parental leave) count towards career, but from 2027 only care leave and training leave will be recognised as equivalent periods, capped at 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time. Salary ceiling for pension calculation: €80,485.32/year (2024 figure, indexed annually). From 2027, a new bonus-malus system applies: those retiring after statutory age with 35+ career years receive a bonus; those retiring early without 35 career years face a malus.","officialUrl":"https://www.sfpd.fgov.be","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum qualifying period for any pension; entitlement is proportional to career length. Minimum pension requires at least 2/3 of a full career (approx. 30 years), with stricter actual-work requirements from 2025.","contributionRateEmployee":"7.5% (pension-specific portion of 13.07% total employee social security contribution)","contributionRateEmployer":"8.86% (pension-specific portion of ~25-27% total employer social security contribution; basic employer contributions capped at €85,000 gross/quarter per employee from 1 July 2025)"},{"name":"Pillar 2: Occupational/Supplementary Pension (Aanvullend Pensioen / Pension Complémentaire)","type":"occupational","description":"Employer-sponsored supplementary pension plans, established at company or sector level. Can be defined benefit, defined contribution, or cash balance. Regulated by the Workplace Pensions Act (WAP/LPC). Employer contributions subject to 8.86% special social security contribution. A special 'Wijninckx' contribution applies when the combined statutory and occupational pension exceeds a set target: this rose from 3% to 12.5% from contribution year 2026. Benefits taxed at 16.66% (paid after age 60 but before statutory retirement age) or 10.09% (if employee remained active until statutory retirement age of 66). Minimum guaranteed return of 2.5% per year (increased from 1.75% as of January 2025). From 2035, all employers must provide a minimum employer contribution of 3% of annual salary. Regulated by FSMA (pension funds) and NBB (insurance companies). The 80% rule limits tax-deductible employer contributions to the extent that total pension (statutory + occupational) does not exceed 80% of last gross salary.","officialUrl":"https://www.fsma.be","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting of accrued rights upon leaving employer; deferred payment until retirement","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by plan; typically 0-5% of salary","contributionRateEmployer":"Typically 1.5-5% of salary (average ~2%); minimum 3% mandated by 2035; subject to 8.86% special social security contribution and Wijninckx contribution (12.5% from 2026 on amounts above the pension target threshold)"},{"name":"Pillar 3: Individual Pension Savings (Pensioensparen / Épargne-Pension)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual retirement savings accounts with tax advantages. Two contribution tiers for 2026: up to €1,050 with 30% tax credit (max €315 benefit), or up to €1,350 with 25% tax credit (max €337.50 benefit). The higher limit of €1,350 must be explicitly opted into each year. Final 8% tax levied automatically at age 60. Early withdrawal before age 60 subject to 33% penalty tax. Contracts must run at least 10 years. Available through banks (pension savings funds) or insurers (branch 21 guaranteed-return or branch 23 unit-linked). Also includes long-term savings (épargne à long terme) with a separate ceiling (approx. €2,530 in 2025, indexed annually) and 30% tax credit. VAPZ/PLCI (Vrij Aanvullend Pensioen voor Zelfstandigen) is the self-employed equivalent with higher contribution limits. Thresholds are indexed annually.","officialUrl":"https://finances.belgium.be","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10-year contract duration; accessible from age 60","contributionRateEmployee":"Up to €1,350/year (2026 ceiling, indexed annually)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Pillar 4: Voluntary Personal Savings","type":"private","description":"General savings and investment products (savings accounts, bonds, shares, investment funds, real estate) without specific tax advantages for retirement purposes. No contribution limits or tax deductions specific to retirement. Provides additional retirement income flexibility beyond the three formal pillars.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EU Regulation 883/2004 applies: each EU/EEA member state calculates and pays its own pro-rata share of pension; periods aggregated to meet qualifying conditions.","Belgium has bilateral social security agreements with 25 non-EU countries including the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, and others — allowing aggregation of insurance periods.","Civil servant (government) pensions are generally taxable in Belgium as source state even for non-residents, regardless of DTA provisions for private pensions.","Non-resident pensioners must submit an annual Belgian non-resident income tax return (BNI) if Belgium retains taxing rights under the applicable DTA.","Annual proof of life (Certificate of Life) required for all pensioners residing abroad; FPD requires return within 30 days of receipt; OSS deadline is 31 December each year.","Belgian statutory pension is payable worldwide; occupational pension lump sums are available at retirement regardless of country of residence.","From 2026, a new pension bonus accrues for those working past statutory retirement age; from 2027, a pension malus applies to early retirees without 35 career years. Rates vary by year of birth (2%, 4%, or 5% per year).","The old lump-sum pension bonus (introduced July 2024) was abolished as of 1 January 2026.","Mandatory supplementary pension (Pillar 2) for all employees with minimum 3% employer contribution targeted by 2035 under the 2025 Arizona coalition agreement.","Belgium's pension system is undergoing significant reform (2025–2029 Arizona coalition): harmonisation of employee/self-employed/civil servant schemes, stricter early retirement conditions, expansion of Pillar 2 coverage, and introduction of bonus-malus system.","UK insurance periods post-Brexit are still recognised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 30 December 2020.","From 2026, the 'cent index' (centenindex) measure caps full 2% pension indexation to the bracket up to €2,000 gross/month; pensions above this threshold receive a flat €40 increase per indexation event.","The Programme Act of 18 July 2025 extended the delay between pivot index crossing and pension indexation application from two months to three months.","Wijninckx special contribution on high occupational pensions rose from 3% to 12.5% from contribution year 2026, significantly increasing costs for high-earner supplementary pension schemes.","Employer basic social security contributions capped at €85,000 gross per employee per quarter from 1 July 2025 (expected to decrease to €67,500/quarter from 2027); employee contributions (13.07%) remain uncapped."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.mypension.be","title":"Open mypension.be","detail":"This is the official federal portal and it covers the legal pension and, separately, your supplementary (second-pillar) pensions — one of the few European portals that shows both."},{"n":2,"title":"Log in with itsme or your eID","detail":"Both routes lead to the same account. The eID route needs the physical card, a reader, and your PIN."},{"n":3,"title":"Read your career overview","detail":"The career tab lists every year of Belgian employment or self-employment recorded against your national number. Check it against your own memory of employers — a missing year is the single most common error and the easiest to fix while you still have payslips."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.sigedis.be","title":"Open the supplementary pension section","detail":"This is fed by the SIGEDIS database and shows occupational pensions built up with Belgian employers, including ones you may have entirely forgotten."},{"n":5,"title":"Download the overview","detail":"Save the career overview and the earliest-pension-date estimate as PDFs, along with the supplementary pension list."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"itsme will not register you because you have no Belgian bank or mobile number","whatToDo":"The eID plus card reader route does not depend on either — the card keeps working abroad as long as it has not expired. Failing that, the Federal Pensions Service can send your career overview by post; ask through their contact form quoting your national number."},{"symptom":"Your Belgian eID has expired since you moved","whatToDo":"Belgian consulates renew eIDs for citizens abroad. If you were never a citizen, contact the Federal Pensions Service directly and ask for the paper route."},{"symptom":"Only part of your career appears","whatToDo":"Employed, self-employed and civil-service periods are administered separately (FPD/SFP, INASTI/RSVZ, and the public-sector scheme). mypension.be should merge them, but if a period is missing, contact the scheme that covered it rather than the portal."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.mypension.be","portalName":"mypension.be","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Belgian national number (rijksregisternummer / numéro de registre national) — on your eID card, payslips, and any Belgian tax paperwork.","itsme, or your Belgian eID card plus a card reader. itsme normally requires a Belgian mobile number and a Belgian bank account, which is the usual obstacle after leaving.","The names of your Belgian employers, and whether you were employed, self-employed, or a civil servant — Belgium runs three separate schemes."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether itsme can currently be activated from outside Belgium without a Belgian bank account, which changes with itsme's own onboarding rules.","documentNameLocal":"Loopbaanoverzicht / Aperçu de carrière (mypension.be)","documentNameEnglish":"Career and pension overview"}},{"country":"Brazil","country_code":"BR","continent":"americas","currency":"BRL","retirement_age_early":57,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Brazil operates a multi-pillar mandatory and voluntary pension system anchored by Constitutional Amendment 103/2019 (effective November 13, 2019), which was the most sweeping pension reform in the country's history. The system comprises: Pillar 0 (BPC/LOAS — non-contributory welfare benefit of one minimum wage for low-income elderly aged 65+ or disabled persons); Pillar 1 (mandatory pay-as-you-go public schemes — RGPS for private sector workers and RPPS for civil servants); Pillar 2 (supplementary funded defined-contribution schemes — mandatory for new RPPS entrants post-2019, voluntary for RGPS workers via EFPCs and EAPCs); and Pillar 3 (voluntary private pension products — PGBL and VGBL offered by banks and insurers). The 2019 reform introduced minimum retirement ages (62 for women, 65 for men under permanent rules), eliminated pure contribution-length retirement for new entrants, and established transition rules with progressively increasing age and points requirements through approximately 2033. As of 2026, the INSS benefit floor equals the national minimum wage (R$1,621/month under Decree 12.797/2025), the ceiling is R$8,475.55/month (per Ordinance MPS/MF No. 13/2026), benefits above the minimum wage were adjusted by 3.9% (INPC for 2025), and minimum-wage-linked benefits received a 6.79% adjustment. Under the 2026 transition rules, the progressive age path requires 59.5 years for women (30 years contributions) and 64.5 years for men (35 years contributions); the points system requires 93 points for women and 103 points for men.\n\nBrazil maintains two distinct mandatory public schemes: RGPS (Regime Geral de Previdência Social), administered by INSS and covering virtually all private sector workers, domestic workers, self-employed, and rural workers; and RPPS (Regimes Próprios de Previdência Social), covering federal, state, and municipal civil servants under separate schemes. Post-2019 RPPS entrants must participate in a two-pillar structure where Pillar 1 benefits are capped at the RGPS ceiling and Pillar 2 (Funpresp or equivalent) provides supplementary defined-contribution savings. The complementary pension sector is regulated by PREVIC (closed funds/EFPCs) and SUSEP (open funds/EAPCs), with PGBL plans offering tax deductibility of contributions up to 12% of gross income and VGBL plans offering tax-deferred growth without upfront deductibility. Brazil has totalization agreements with over 40 countries (including the US-Brazil agreement in force since October 2018 and the Czech Republic agreement in force since November 2024), and INSS pensions are paid indefinitely abroad subject to proof-of-life requirements, which since 2024–2026 are increasingly fulfilled automatically via government data cross-referencing.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://meu.inss.gov.br/","name":"Meu INSS (Official INSS Self-Service Portal)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/inss/pt-br","name":"INSS Main Website"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/previdencia/pt-br","name":"Ministry of Social Security (Ministério da Previdência Social)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/","name":"Gov.br Central Portal (Single Sign-On for All Government Services)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/simular-aposentadoria","name":"INSS Retirement Simulator (Simulador de Aposentadoria)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/previc/pt-br","name":"PREVIC (Superintendency for Supplementary Pensions — Closed Funds)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/susep/pt-br","name":"SUSEP (Superintendency for Private Insurance — Open Pension Funds)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.br/receitafederal/pt-br","name":"Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service — Tax Authority)"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/brazil.html","name":"SSA Brazil Totalization Agreement Information (US Social Security Administration)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/br/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/br","system_type":"Bismarckian/Mixed — mandatory earnings-related contributory public schemes (RGPS/RPPS) combined with voluntary supplementary funded schemes and a non-contributory welfare safety net","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: BPC/LOAS — non-contributory welfare benefit (one minimum wage = R$1,621/month in 2026) for low-income elderly (65+) or disabled persons; no INSS contributions required. Pillar 1: RGPS (mandatory public pay-as-you-go) for private sector workers, self-employed, domestic workers, and rural workers — administered by INSS; RPPS (special public regimes) for federal, state, and municipal civil servants — administered by respective government entities. Pillar 2: Previdência Complementar — mandatory for new RPPS entrants post-2019 (Funpresp at federal level; state/municipal equivalents); voluntary for RGPS workers via closed pension funds (EFPCs, regulated by PREVIC) or open pension funds (EAPCs, regulated by SUSEP). Pillar 3: Private pension products — PGBL (Plano Gerador de Benefício Livre, tax-deductible contributions up to 12% of gross income) and VGBL (Vida Gerador de Benefício Livre, non-deductible but tax-deferred), offered by banks and insurers to the general public.","replacement_rate_gross":"88.4%","min_qualifying_period":"full benefit: RGPS age-based retirement (permanent rules): women minimum 62 years + 15 years contributions; men minimum 65 years + 20 years contributions. RGPS points system (2026 transition): women 30 years contributions + 93 points; men 35 years contributions + 103 points. RGPS progressive age (2026 transition): women 59.5 years + 30 years contributions; men 64.5 years + 35 years contributions. RPPS (civil servants): women 62 years + 25 years service; men 65 years + 25 years service (varies by entity). Exception: contribution-based early retirement (women 28+ years, men 33+ years) with 50% toll on remaining contribution time — transition rule only.","min_qualifying_partial":"Minimum 180 months (15 years) of INSS contributions required for any retirement benefit eligibility under RGPS. Those with fewer than 15 years contributions are not eligible for retirement benefits (contributions may be refunded from private complementary plans or FGTS). No partial retirement option post-2019 reform — only full retirement or continued contribution. Disability benefits require 12 months (with exceptions for accidents/occupational diseases).","aggregation_rules":"Brazil recognizes all RGPS contribution periods (employment, self-employment, domestic work, rural work, voluntary contributions) in a single lifetime calculation via CNIS (National Social Information Registry). Periods of sickness benefit, accident benefit, maternity leave, and military service count as credited periods within limits. No gap-filling: uncredited periods are simply not counted; retroactive voluntary contributions allowed only within statute of limitations. RPPS periods are NOT aggregated with RGPS periods — each system maintains separate benefit calculations. International agreements allow period totalization: under bilateral agreements, Brazilian periods can be combined with foreign periods to meet minimum vesting requirements (180 months for RGPS); Brazil pays pro-rata benefit based on Brazilian periods only. Under the US-Brazil Totalization Agreement (in force October 2018), 1 US quarter of coverage = 3 months of Brazilian coverage for eligibility purposes.","totalization_partners":["Argentina","Austria","Belgium","Bolivia","Canada","Cape Verde","Chile","China","Colombia","Czech Republic","Denmark","Ecuador","El Salvador","Finland","France","Germany","Greece","Hungary","India","Israel","Italy","Japan","Luxembourg","Mexico","Mozambique","Netherlands","Norway","Paraguay","Peru","Philippines","Portugal","Romania","Russia","Singapore","Slovakia","South Africa","South Korea","Spain","Sweden","Switzerland","Trinidad and Tobago","Turkey","Ukraine","United Arab Emirates","United States","Uruguay","Venezuela"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employee contribution rates (7.5%–14%) have been unchanged since March 2020; only the income brackets are adjusted annually by INPC in January per interministerial ordinance. Employer base rate is 20% (flat, no cap) for most sectors; some sectors use revenue-based CPRB instead of payroll — Law 14,973/2024 established gradual re-taxation of payroll for these sectors from 2025 to 2027. Voluntary insured persons (facultativo) who do not work may contribute 20% of chosen salary (or 11% for reduced benefit set). Rural workers: 2.5% of gross revenue from rural production if employer/landowner. Domestic workers: employee 7.5%–14% progressive; employer 20% + 8% FGTS. FGTS (Severance Fund) is an additional 8% employer contribution on total compensation — separate from INSS but mandatory. 2026 contribution ceiling: R$8,475.55/month (up from R$8,157.41 in 2025); 2026 minimum wage/floor: R$1,621.00 (up from R$1,518.00 in 2025).","employee_pct":"7.5% to 14% (progressive brackets; 2026 ceiling R$8,475.55/month per Ordinance MPS/MF No. 13/2026; maximum employee contribution ~R$988.09/month)","employer_pct":"20% (standard, no cap); total social charges including RAT/SAT work accident insurance (1–3%) and third-party contributions (~5.8%) can reach 28–36% of total payroll; financial institutions pay 22.5% base rate","self_employed_pct":"5%, 11%, or 20% of contribution salary ceiling depending on category and chosen benefit level; MEI (micro-entrepreneurs) pay fixed monthly DAS amount including reduced INSS component (R$81.05/month in 2026 based on R$1,621 minimum wage)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Monthly payments due by the 15th of the following month; no annual deadline — contributions can start or resume at any time","available":true,"annual_cost":"20% of chosen contribution salary (between minimum wage R$1,621 and RGPS ceiling R$8,475.55 in 2026); or 11% of minimum wage for reduced-benefit plan (no access to sickness/accident benefits); or 5% of minimum wage for MEI (micro-entrepreneur) simplified plan (~R$81.05/month in 2026)","benefit_per_year":"Each 12 months of voluntary contributions counts as 1 year toward minimum qualifying period (180 months total required). Benefit amount depends on average of all contribution salaries over career. Voluntary contributions at 20% rate provide access to full range of INSS benefits (retirement, disability, sickness, maternity, death pension). Contributions at 11% rate provide access only to retirement and death pension (not sickness or disability benefits).","eligibility_conditions":"Any Brazilian national or legal resident who is not mandatorily insured (e.g., students, homemakers, unemployed persons, retirees who wish to increase benefits, Brazilians living abroad who wish to maintain INSS coverage). Must register as 'segurado facultativo' (voluntary insured) with INSS via Meu INSS portal or INSS agency. Brazilians living abroad may contribute voluntarily to maintain benefit eligibility and accumulate contribution periods. Cannot contribute as voluntary insured if simultaneously mandatorily insured through employment."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Deferring retirement beyond minimum requirements increases benefit through: (1) additional contribution years increasing the 2%-per-year bonus above minimum threshold; (2) higher average salary base from continued contributions; (3) Social Security Factor (Fator Previdenciário) — still applicable in some transition calculations — increases with age and contribution length, providing actuarial bonus for later retirement. No explicit monthly deferral bonus percentage under permanent rules, but each additional year of contribution adds 2% to benefit (up to 100% of average salary). No mandatory retirement age for private sector workers; public servants have compulsory retirement at age 75.","early_reduction":"Under transition rules: 50% toll (pedágio) on remaining contribution time needed to reach standard retirement requirements as of November 13, 2019 — applicable to contribution-based early retirement path. Under progressive age transition: no explicit reduction percentage, but earlier retirement under lower age/points thresholds results in lower benefit due to fewer contribution years in average calculation (60% base + 2% per year above minimum). Under permanent rules (post-transition): no early retirement by contribution length alone — minimum age requirements are absolute. Special categories (hazardous occupations): reduced contribution periods (15, 20, or 25 years) without age penalty."},"access_options":{"notes":"RGPS/RPPS state pensions: paid as monthly lifetime annuity only — no lump-sum option for public scheme benefits. Supplementary pensions (PGBL/VGBL, EFPCs): lump-sum withdrawal available at any time (subject to tax consequences); programmed withdrawals (systematic monthly payments from accumulated balance); or annuity purchase from insurer. FGTS (Severance Fund): lump-sum withdrawal upon retirement, dismissal without cause, serious illness, or housing purchase. Arrears (back payments): paid as lump sum when eligibility confirmed retroactively or after proof-of-life suspension resolved. 13th monthly payment: paid annually in December as additional full month's benefit — applies to all INSS beneficiaries including those abroad.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"RGPS pensions continue indefinitely for beneficiaries residing abroad — no time limit or reduction. Beneficiary must maintain proof-of-life compliance (now largely automated) and keep banking information current. Private complementary plans (PGBL/VGBL, EFPCs): balance may be redeemed (taxable event) when emigrating, or maintained and accessed remotely. FGTS balance: may be withdrawn upon permanent departure from Brazil (requires proof of definitive exit). Tax implications: non-residents subject to 15% IRRF withholding on Brazilian-source pension income (25% if resident in tax haven jurisdiction); treaty relief available for residents of countries with Brazil DTAs. Payment mechanism: INSS authorizes international bank transfers; beneficiary provides foreign account details (IBAN or equivalent); currency conversion from BRL to local currency at prevailing exchange rate (FX risk borne by beneficiary)."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"RGPS/RPPS: no lump-sum option — monthly annuity only. Supplementary pensions (PGBL/VGBL): lump-sum withdrawals subject to regressive withholding (35% if under 2 years accumulation, declining to 10% after 10+ years) or progressive regime rates. For non-residents: 15% flat withholding applies to lump-sum withdrawals from supplementary plans regardless of accumulation duration. FGTS withdrawals: generally exempt from income tax for the employee.","special_tax_regimes":"Residents aged 65+: additional monthly exemption of BRL 1,903.98 on pension income (effectively doubling the general exemption) under Brazilian income tax rules — applies only to Brazilian tax residents, not non-residents. Regressive tax regime for supplementary pensions: 35% (0–2 years), 30% (2–4 years), 25% (4–6 years), 20% (6–8 years), 15% (8–10 years), 10% (10+ years) — favors long-term accumulation. Progressive regime: standard IRPF rates (0%–27.5%) applied to withdrawals. Non-residents: flat 15% withholding on all Brazilian-source income (no deductions allowed); 25% for tax haven residents. Law 15,270/2025 (effective January 1, 2026): 10% withholding tax on dividends remitted to non-residents (no minimum threshold); 10% WHT on dividends to Brazilian-resident individuals above R$50,000/month from same company. Minimum Personal Income Tax introduced for annual incomes above R$600,000 (up to 10% for income above R$1.2 million).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; Brazil has DTAs with approximately 40 countries (including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, Uruguay, Venezuela). Most treaties follow OECD Model Article 18 — private pensions taxable only in country of residence. US has NO income tax treaty with Brazil (only TIEA and Totalization Agreement); US residents receiving Brazilian pensions subject to full 15% Brazilian withholding with no treaty reduction.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens/green card holders receiving Brazilian INSS pensions must report as ordinary pension income on Form 1040 (worldwide income basis). No US-Brazil income tax treaty — no reduced withholding or pension exemption available. Brazilian 15% withholding may be claimed as Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) to offset US tax liability. FBAR (FinCEN 114) required if Brazilian bank accounts exceed $10,000 aggregate. Form 8938 (FATCA) required for specified foreign financial assets above thresholds. Brazilian private pension plans (PGBL/VGBL) may require reporting as foreign financial accounts or trusts depending on structure — specialist advice recommended. US-Brazil Totalization Agreement (in force October 2018) prevents dual Social Security taxation but does not affect income tax treatment.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"RGPS (private sector) and RPPS (civil servant) pensions: both treated as pension income for non-resident withholding purposes — 15% standard rate applies to both. Most Brazilian DTAs do not differentiate between government and private pensions; both treated as pension income under Article 18. Some treaties may apply Article 19 (government service pensions) to RPPS benefits, potentially allowing source-country taxation — treaty-specific analysis required. Private supplementary pensions (PGBL/VGBL): subject to regressive withholding regime (35% declining to 10% based on accumulation duration) or progressive regime (standard rates) — applied at source before international transfer. Non-residents: 15% flat rate applies regardless of amount.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"15% (standard non-resident rate on Brazilian-source pension income); 25% for residents of tax haven jurisdictions (listed by Brazilian tax authorities per RFB Normative Instruction No. 2,265/2025)"},"indexation":{"notes":"INSS pensions paid abroad receive the same annual indexation adjustments as pensions paid within Brazil — there is no 'frozen' status for non-resident beneficiaries. January adjustments are applied automatically within the INSS system regardless of beneficiary's country of residence. For 2026: benefits at minimum wage level adjusted by 6.79% (minimum wage increase from R$1,518 to R$1,621 per Decree 12.797/2025); benefits above minimum wage adjusted by 3.9% (INPC for 2025, per Ordinance MPS/MF No. 13/2026). Proof-of-life compliance is required to maintain active payment status — failure results in suspension (not termination) of benefits; arrears paid upon compliance. Supplementary private pensions (PGBL/VGBL): not universally inflation-protected unless annuity with inflation rider purchased; programmed withdrawals track investment performance (market risk borne by participant). EFPCs: Brazilian legislation mandates inflation protection for continuous pension benefits during payment phase using IPCA or INPC.","method":"INPC (Índice Nacional de Preços ao Consumidor) — calculated monthly by IBGE; cumulative annual index applied each January. Benefits at minimum wage level: adjusted by minimum wage policy formula (INPC + capped GDP growth share, max 2.5% real gain). Benefits above minimum wage: adjusted by pure INPC (inflation only, no real gain). 2026 INPC input: 3.9% (12 months to November 2025, confirmed). 2026 minimum wage adjustment: 6.79% (INPC + GDP growth component). INSS ceiling for 2026: R$8,475.55 (up from R$8,157.41 in 2025, per Ordinance MPS/MF No. 13/2026).","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"COMPREHENSIVE PORTABILITY SUMMARY: Brazil permits pension portability in both domestic and international contexts, with varying conditions and restrictions. Domestically: RGPS contributions remain permanently credited to individual's life-long account (no expiration); periods never deleted, even if decades separated between contributions. Transfers between private complementary plans (EFPC to EFPC, EFPC to EAPC, EAPC to EAPC) generally permitted if plans compatible. Closed pension fund (EFPC) portability restricted while participant remains employed by sponsoring employer. International portability: pensions can be paid indefinitely abroad to non-resident beneficiaries if social security agreement exists (see Totalization Partners list — Brazil has 40+ agreement countries). Payment mechanism: INSS authorizes international transfers via banking arrangements; recipient provides foreign account details and address. Agreement countries: streamlined process; non-agreement countries require case-by-case approval. Supplementary plans (private pensions, EFPC/EAPC): balance portability to foreign financial institutions possible with regulatory approval, but most participants redeem and withdraw balance (taxable event) when emigrating. Conditions for indefinite pension payment abroad: (1) valid residence in destination country; (2) proof-of-life documentation (now largely automated via data cross-referencing; manual steps only if automatic verification fails); (3) correct banking information and address; (4) no arrears in contributions. Waiting periods: none specified; pensions begin international payment immediately upon approval. Suspension only if proof-of-life lapses or incorrect address; reinstated upon documentation. Currency risk: beneficiaries bear FX risk on conversion to destination country currency; INSS pays in BRL, international bank converts at current rate. Restrictions: none specified by law for indefinite payment abroad; benefit continues for life regardless of residence changes. Unique aspect: contribution periods accumulated abroad (in agreement countries) recognized via totalization; can be aggregated with Brazilian periods to meet minimum vesting (180 months). No consolidation of benefits into single payment; pensions continue as monthly indefinite streams."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS FOR CLAIMING FROM ABROAD: (1) Gather documents: CPF (Brazilian tax ID), valid identity document (passport), birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), complete INSS contribution history (CNIS extract via gov.br), employment documentation (CTPS work card, pay stubs, employment contracts), and foreign employment documentation for totalization countries. (2) If residing abroad: contact nearest Brazilian consulate or diplomatic mission. For totalization agreement countries (US, EU, Japan, etc.): process may be initiated via local social security office (e.g., SSA in the US) which coordinates with INSS. For non-agreement countries: consulate assistance or direct contact with APSAIBH (Social Security Agency for International Agreements, Belo Horizonte) required. (3) For RGPS claims: submit application via Meu INSS portal (meu.inss.gov.br — accessible internationally) or through Brazilian consulate. Application requires: proof of age, CNIS contribution history, identification, foreign address documentation, and international bank account details. (4) For RPPS civil servant claims: contact specific public entity employer (federal ministry, state/municipal government) directly — not handled by INSS. (5) Assessment phase: INSS reviews contribution history, verifies 180-month minimum, confirms eligibility pathway. Processing time: typically 30–90 days for straightforward cases; longer for complex international cases. (6) Approval and payment: INSS establishes international banking information; first payment typically 30–90 days after final approval. (7) Ongoing: proof-of-life (prova de vida) is now largely automated via INSS data cross-referencing (since 2024–2026 reforms); beneficiaries notified only if automatic verification fails. Manual proof via Meu INSS facial recognition app or Brazilian consulate remains available. TOTALIZATION PROCESS: Those with periods in both Brazil and a totalization agreement country may request combined period calculation; each country pays pro-rata benefit based on its own periods. US residents: apply at any SSA office; SSA coordinates with INSS.","advance_timeline":"Applications can be submitted up to 90 days before reaching eligibility requirements. Processing typically 30–90 days for standard cases; 3–6 months for complex international cases. Retroactive payment from date of eligibility if application delayed.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (12 regular payments per year plus mandatory 13th payment in December — total 13 payments annually). International payments: INSS initiates transfer in BRL; international banking channels convert to local currency. Typical total transit time: 10–30 business days from Brazilian payment date to receipt in foreign account (varies by destination country and banking intermediaries). Payment dates vary by CPF final digit (1st to 30th of month). Bank account changes: update via Meu INSS portal, consulate, or written request; effective following month (15–30 day processing).","required_documents":["CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física — Brazilian tax ID number)","Valid identity document (passport, RG national ID, or equivalent)","Birth certificate (certified copy)","Marriage certificate or civil partnership registration (if applicable)","Divorce/separation documentation (if applicable)","CNIS extract (Cadastro Nacional de Informações Sociais — complete contribution history, obtainable via gov.br/meu-inss)","Proof of foreign residence (utility bill, rental lease, or consulate-issued residence certificate)","International bank account details (account holder name, IBAN or SWIFT/routing details, bank name and address)","Employment documentation: CTPS (Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social — work card), pay stubs (contracheques), or employment contracts","For totalization claims: documentation from foreign social security agency confirming periods worked abroad","For disability retirement: comprehensive medical reports, imaging, test results, physician statements","For survivor pensions: death certificate, marriage documentation, proof of dependency","Power of attorney (if claiming through representative — must be notarized/apostilled)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Meu INSS portal (meu.inss.gov.br) and mobile app are accessible internationally. Requires gov.br account with gold-level verification (facial recognition or in-person verification). Services available abroad include: benefit simulation, contribution history (CNIS extract), benefit application, proof-of-life submission (facial recognition), address and banking updates, benefit status monitoring. Gov.br account creation may require Brazilian CPF and initial identity verification — may need to be completed before departing Brazil or via consulate. INSS Central 135 available for telephone inquiries.","proof_of_life_notes":"Since 2024–2026, proof-of-life (prova de vida) is increasingly automated: INSS cross-references government databases (Receita Federal, health records, electoral records, passport issuance, biometric bank transactions, etc.) to verify beneficiary is alive without requiring active participation. Beneficiaries are only notified and required to take action if automatic verification fails. For those residing abroad: proof of life remains obligatory and must be done in person at embassies/consulates or via the Gov.br app (facial recognition). When required: options include (1) facial recognition via Meu INSS mobile app; (2) in-person at Brazilian bank branch with biometrics; (3) in-person at Brazilian consulate with valid ID; (4) by proxy with notarized/apostilled power of attorney registered with INSS. Portaria MPS nº 723 (March 2024) changed the reference date from birthday to date of last proof-of-life. Failure to comply when notified results in suspension (not termination) of benefits; arrears paid upon compliance. Beneficiaries should monitor status via Meu INSS portal or app (Central 135 for inquiries).","international_contact":{"email":"Specific email for international inquiries: Check gov.br/inss website for current contact. General: previdencia@inss.gov.br or consulate consular services email.","phone":"International callers: +55 31 XXXX-XXXX (specific number varies; contact via email preferred). Within Brazil: 0800-978-1666 (toll-free INSS general line). Alternatively, contact nearest Brazilian consulate directly.","postal_address":"APSAIBH (Assessoria de Assuntos Internacionais de Previdência Social), Av. Amazonas nº 266, 9º andar, Ala A, Centro, Belo Horizonte - MG, CEP 30180-001, Brazil. (Note: This is the federal coordination office; initial contact often through local consulates.)"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Portuguese (official); consulates may assist with translation; Meu INSS portal available in Portuguese only","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"RGPS (Regime Geral de Previdência Social) — General Social Security Regime","type":"state","description":"Mandatory pay-as-you-go public scheme covering virtually all private sector workers, self-employed, domestic workers, and rural workers. Governed by Law 8,213/1991 and Decree 3,048/1999. Following Constitutional Amendment 103/2019, the permanent rules require: minimum age of 65 for men (20 years contributions) and 62 for women (15 years contributions). Transition rules apply for those already contributing before November 13, 2019, with progressively increasing requirements each year. In 2026 under transition rules: progressive age retirement requires 64.5 years for men (35 years contributions) and 59.5 years for women (30 years contributions); points system requires 103 points (age + contribution years) for men with 35 years contributions, and 93 points for women with 30 years contributions. Benefit formula: 60% of average career earnings plus 2% per year of contribution exceeding 20 years (men) or 15 years (women), up to 100%. Minimum benefit equals national minimum wage (R$1,621/month in 2026 per Decree 12.797/2025); ceiling is R$8,475.55/month in 2026 per Ordinance MPS/MF No. 13/2026. Benefits above minimum wage adjusted by 3.9% INPC for 2026; minimum-wage-linked benefits adjusted by 6.79% for 2026. Includes 13th monthly payment annually (December). Special categories: rural workers (55 women/60 men with 15 years rural contributions); teachers (5 years earlier than standard); hazardous/special occupations (15, 20, or 25 years depending on risk level).","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.br/inss/pt-br","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 180 months (15 years) of INSS contributions required for any retirement benefit eligibility. For age-based retirement under permanent rules: 15 years for women, 20 years for men (for those entering after 2019 reform). For points-system retirement: 30 years for women, 35 years for men. Rural workers: 15 years of rural activity/contributions. Disability benefits: 12 months (with exceptions for accidents). Survivor pensions: no minimum contribution period if worker was active at time of death.","contributionRateEmployee":"7.5% to 14% (progressive brackets per Ordinance MPS/MF No. 13/2026: 7.5% up to R$1,621.00; 9% from R$1,621.01 to R$2,902.84; 12% from R$2,902.85 to R$4,354.27; 14% from R$4,354.28 to R$8,475.55; maximum employee contribution ~R$988.09/month)","contributionRateEmployer":"20% of total payroll (no cap); total social charges including RAT/SAT and third-party contributions can reach 28–36% of gross salary; financial institutions subject to additional 2.5% surcharge (22.5% base rate)"},{"name":"RPPS (Regimes Próprios de Previdência Social) — Special Public Regime","type":"state","description":"Separate mandatory schemes for federal, state, and municipal civil servants, established and administered by the respective government entity. Post-2019 reform: permanent rules require age 65 for men and 62 for women, with 25 years of public service and 10 years in the specific career and 5 years in the position. Transition rules apply for those already in service before November 13, 2019. New entrants post-2019 must participate in a two-pillar structure: Pillar 1 benefit capped at RGPS ceiling (~R$8,475.55 in 2026); Pillar 2 (Funpresp at federal level or state/municipal equivalents) provides supplementary defined-contribution savings for salary above the RGPS ceiling. Pre-2019 entrants may retain old defined-benefit integral pension rights subject to transition rules. Special categories: federal police, prison officers, and similar — minimum age 55 (both sexes), 30 years contribution, 25 years in function. RPPS schemes vary significantly between federal, state, and municipal levels; actuarial sustainability varies widely. Compulsory retirement age for public servants: 75 years.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.br/previdencia/pt-br","vestingYears":25,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 25 years of public service contribution required for full retirement under permanent rules (post-2019). Additionally: minimum 10 years in public service career and 5 years in the specific position/role. Transition rules for pre-2019 entrants vary. Special categories have different requirements.","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by entity; federal civil servants: 14% on salary up to RGPS ceiling, higher rates on salary above ceiling (up to 22% for highest earners under 2019 reform)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by entity; government employer contributions set to ensure actuarial balance; federal government contributes matching amounts to Funpresp (up to 8.5% of salary above RGPS ceiling)"},{"name":"Previdência Complementar (Supplementary Pensions) — Pillar 2","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary supplementary funded schemes for private sector workers; mandatory for new RPPS entrants post-2019. Two types: Closed Entities (EFPCs) — pension funds established by companies or associations, restricted to employees/members, regulated by PREVIC and CNPC; Open Entities (EAPCs) — offered by banks and insurers to the general public, regulated by SUSEP and CNSP. PGBL plans: contributions deductible up to 12% of annual gross taxable income (requires simultaneous INSS contribution); withdrawals taxed on full amount at progressive or regressive rates. VGBL plans: contributions not deductible; only investment gains taxed on withdrawal; suitable for those who use simplified tax return or exceed 12% limit. Regressive tax regime: 35% (up to 2 years) declining to 10% (over 10 years). Progressive regime: standard income tax rates apply. Employer contributions to EFPCs: up to 20% of payroll (deductible). Funpresp (federal civil servants): employer matches up to 8.5% of salary above RGPS ceiling. Brazilian legislation mandates inflation protection for continuous pension benefits during payment phase, using IPCA or INPC.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.br/previc/pt-br","vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"For EFPCs (closed plans): employee contributions immediately vested; employer contributions typically vest over 5–10 years per plan rules. Portability between compatible plans permitted. Options upon leaving: redemption, portability, self-sponsorship, or deferred proportional benefit. For EAPCs (open plans): immediate portability; no lock-in period. Both allow self-sponsorship if participant leaves sponsoring employer.","contributionRateEmployee":"Flexible; for PGBL/VGBL: any amount up to 12% of gross income for tax deductibility; for EFPCs: per plan rules","contributionRateEmployer":"Up to 20% of payroll for EFPCs (deductible); Funpresp: up to 8.5% of salary above RGPS ceiling"},{"name":"Previdência Privada (Private Pension Products) — Pillar 3","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual pension savings products offered by banks and insurers (EAPCs), open to all including self-employed and expatriates. Two main products: PGBL (Plano Gerador de Benefício Livre) — contributions deductible up to 12% of annual gross taxable income if contributor also pays INSS; full withdrawal amount taxed. VGBL (Vida Gerador de Benefício Livre) — contributions not deductible; only investment gains taxed on withdrawal; suitable for those using simplified tax return or exceeding 12% limit. Tax regimes: regressive (35% declining to 10% based on accumulation duration — favors long-term savers) or progressive (standard income tax rates). No mandatory lock-in period, but early withdrawal subject to higher tax rates under regressive regime. IOF tax applies on withdrawals within 60 days of contribution. Flexible contribution amounts and frequencies. Insurance component protects beneficiaries. Expats abroad can maintain plans if structured appropriately; tax treatment depends on Brazilian residency status and applicable tax treaty.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.br/susep/pt-br","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting period; contributions always belong to participant. Withdrawals allowed at any time but subject to tax consequences (regressive regime charges higher withholding on short-term withdrawals — 35% under 2 years, declining to 10% after 10+ years). Reversion of deceased participant's balance to named beneficiaries without probate.","contributionRateEmployee":"Flexible; no minimum or maximum (PGBL tax deductibility capped at 12% of gross income)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; employer contributions to PGBL/VGBL deductible up to 20% of payroll"}],"cross_border_notes":["Brazil has bilateral social security (totalization) agreements with approximately 40+ countries. The Czech Republic agreement entered into force on 1 November 2024. Agreements with Bulgaria, India, Israel, and Mozambique have been signed but may not yet be fully ratified/in force — verify current status with APSAIBH or Brazilian consulate.","The US-Brazil Totalization Agreement entered into force in October 2018, eliminating dual Social Security taxation for workers paying into both systems. However, the US and Brazil have NO income tax treaty as of 2026 — no reduced withholding rates, pension exemptions, or tie-breaker residency rules apply between the two countries.","Non-resident withholding: INSS pensions paid to non-residents subject to 15% IRRF at source (25% for tax haven residents per RFB Normative Instruction No. 2,265/2025). Supplementary pension withdrawals (PGBL/VGBL): regressive withholding (35%–10%) or 15% flat for non-residents. Withholding applied before international transfer; recipient responsible for filing in destination country.","Brazil has income tax treaties (DTAs) with approximately 40 countries for double taxation relief on income including pensions. Most treaties follow OECD Model Article 18 — private pensions taxable only in country of residence. Treaty relief must typically be claimed by submitting proof of foreign residence to Brazilian payer or filing for refund in destination country.","Proof-of-life (prova de vida) is now largely automated via INSS data cross-referencing since 2024–2026 reforms. Beneficiaries residing in Brazil are only required to take active steps if automatic verification fails. Beneficiaries abroad must still comply via Brazilian consulate or Gov.br app (facial recognition) when notified. Central 135 and Meu INSS app are the official channels for status checks.","INSS pensions are fully indexed (uprated) for non-resident beneficiaries — same annual INPC adjustments apply regardless of country of residence. No 'frozen' pension status for Brazilians abroad. For 2026: benefits at minimum wage level received 6.79% adjustment (R$1,518 to R$1,621); benefits above minimum wage received 3.9% INPC adjustment (ceiling: R$8,475.55).","Currency risk: INSS pays in BRL; international bank converts at prevailing exchange rate. Beneficiaries bear full FX risk. International banking fees (2–4% typical) and transfer delays (10–30 business days) apply.","APSAIBH (Assessoria de Assuntos Internacionais de Previdência Social) in Belo Horizonte is the federal coordination office for international social security matters. Address: Av. Amazonas nº 266, 9º andar, Ala A, Centro, Belo Horizonte - MG, CEP 30180-001, Brazil. Initial contact often through local Brazilian consulates.","Brazilians who permanently emigrate should file a Comunicação de Saída Definitiva (Communication of Definitive Departure) and Declaração de Saída Definitiva (Final Departure Tax Return) with Receita Federal to cease Brazilian tax residency and switch to non-resident status for Brazilian-source income taxation.","From January 2026, Brazil introduced a 10% withholding tax on dividends paid or remitted abroad under Law 15,270/2025 — relevant for those with Brazilian investment income in addition to pension income. No minimum threshold applies to non-residents; the tax is withheld at source by the distributing entity."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.gov.br/","title":"Create or upgrade your gov.br account","detail":"gov.br is the gateway. A basic account will let you in but not necessarily to everything; facial recognition against the electoral or driving-licence database is the usual way to raise the level from abroad."},{"n":2,"url":"https://meu.inss.gov.br/","title":"Open Meu INSS","detail":"INSS administers the general social security regime. Meu INSS is the self-service portal for records and claims."},{"n":3,"title":"Download your CNIS extract","detail":"The CNIS is the national register of social information and the definitive record of your contributions: every employment link, every contribution month, every salary it was based on."},{"n":4,"title":"Check for gaps and unlinked periods","detail":"Missing or wrongly attributed periods are common, particularly for older employment. INSS has a procedure for correcting the CNIS, and your carteira de trabalho (work card) is the primary evidence."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.gov.br/inss/pt-br","title":"Save the extract","detail":"Keep the PDF. If you claim from abroad, the CNIS extract plus identity and civil documents are what INSS will ask for."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot raise your gov.br account level from outside Brazil","whatToDo":"Brazilian consulates assist citizens with gov.br and INSS matters, and INSS operates an international service channel. A representative in Brazil with a power of attorney can also act for you."},{"symptom":"Employment appears in your work card but not in the CNIS","whatToDo":"This is the classic Brazilian problem, especially pre-1990s. The carteira de trabalho is accepted evidence; request an acerto (correction) with it rather than assuming the period is lost."},{"symptom":"You do not know your NIT/PIS number","whatToDo":"It appears on the work card and on payslips. Meu INSS can also locate it from your CPF."}],"portalUrl":"https://meu.inss.gov.br/","portalName":"Meu INSS","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your CPF (Brazilian tax ID) and, if you have it, your NIT/PIS/PASEP number.","A gov.br account — the single sign-on for all Brazilian government services. Account levels matter: some INSS services need a verified (prata or ouro) account, which can be raised through a Brazilian bank or facial recognition.","Your Brazilian employers and dates, including any period as a self-employed contributor."],"couldNotVerify":"Which gov.br verification routes currently work for someone with no Brazilian address or bank account.","documentNameLocal":"Extrato CNIS (Cadastro Nacional de Informações Sociais)","documentNameEnglish":"Contribution history statement"}},{"country":"Canada","country_code":"CA","continent":"americas","currency":"CAD","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":70,"pension_system_summary":"Canada operates a multi-pillar retirement income system combining a universal, residence-based social safety net with mandatory earnings-related public plans and voluntary private savings. Pillar 0 consists of Old Age Security (OAS), the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Allowance, all financed from general tax revenues and not requiring contributions. Pillar 1/2 is the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), operating in all provinces except Quebec, and the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) in Quebec — both funded by mandatory employer, employee, and self-employed contributions. The CPP was enhanced in two stages (2019–2025): Stage 1 raised the contribution rate from 4.95% to 5.95% on earnings up to the YMPE, increasing the income replacement rate from 25% to 33.33% for post-2019 contributions; Stage 2 (2024–2025) introduced CPP2, a second earnings tier on income between the YMPE ($74,600 in 2026) and the YAMPE ($85,000 in 2026) at a 4% rate. Pillar 3 comprises voluntary savings through Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), employer Registered Pension Plans (RPPs — defined benefit or defined contribution), Group RRSPs, and the First Home Savings Account (FHSA).\n\nCPP and OAS are payable worldwide without residency restrictions, subject to non-resident withholding tax (standard 25%, reduced by tax treaty — commonly to 15%; 0% for US residents under the Canada-US Tax Treaty). OAS requires at least 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18 to be paid outside Canada (10 years minimum for partial pension within Canada). CPP benefits are indexed annually in January based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI); OAS is indexed quarterly. For 2026, CPP benefits increased 2.0% and the maximum monthly CPP at age 65 is $1,507.65; the average for new beneficiaries (January 2026) is $925.35/month. OAS maximum for ages 65–74 is $743.05/month (April–June 2026 quarter), rising to $751.97/month for July–September 2026 after a confirmed 1.2% CPI increase; for those aged 75+ the amounts are $817.36 and $827.17 respectively, reflecting the permanent 10% premium introduced in July 2022. Canada has social security totalization agreements with more than 50 countries, allowing periods of contribution or residence to be combined for eligibility purposes.\n\nVoluntary retirement savings are strongly encouraged through RRSPs (2026 tax year limit: $33,810 or 18% of prior-year earned income, whichever is lower; deadline March 1, 2027) and TFSAs ($7,000 annual limit in 2026; cumulative lifetime limit $109,000 as of 2026 for those eligible since 2009). RRSP contributions are tax-deductible and grow tax-deferred until withdrawal. Employer-sponsored defined benefit and defined contribution plans are also common, though coverage has declined from 46% of workers in 1977 to around 37% today. The US–Canada Tax Treaty provides that CPP and OAS are taxable only in the country of residence for US residents, and the Social Security Fairness Act (enacted January 5, 2025) eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision, allowing full concurrent receipt of both CPP and US Social Security retroactive to December 2023.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html","name":"My Service Canada Account (MSCA)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html","name":"CPP Main Page"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html","name":"OAS Main Page"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-international.html","name":"CPP International (Living Outside Canada)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-international/before-apply.html","name":"CPP International — Before Applying (Tax & Withholding)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/tax-treaties.html","name":"CRA Tax Treaties"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/canada-pension-plan-cpp-employment-insurance-ei-rulings/international-social-security-agreements-canada-pension-plan.html","name":"International Social Security Agreements (CRA)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/payroll/payroll-deductions-contributions/canada-pension-plan-cpp/cpp-contribution-rates-maximums-exemptions.html","name":"CPP Contribution Rates, Maximums and Exemptions (CRA)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html","name":"OAS Payment Amounts"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/receive-benefits/consumer-price-index.html","name":"CPP and CPI Indexation"},{"url":"https://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/programmes/regime_rentes/Pages/regime_rentes.aspx","name":"Retraite Québec (QPP)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/non-resident-seniors.html","name":"Non-Resident Seniors (CRA)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/pensions/pension/statistics/2026-quarterly-july-september.html","name":"CPP & OAS Quarterly Rate Card (July–September 2026)"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/electing-under-section-217.html","name":"Electing Under Section 217 (CRA)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ca/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-03","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ca","system_type":"Multi-pillar: Beveridge-style universal flat-rate safety net (OAS/GIS) combined with Bismarckian earnings-related mandatory contributions (CPP/QPP) and voluntary private savings (RRSP/TFSA/RPP)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: Old Age Security (OAS) + Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) + Allowance + Allowance for the Survivor — financed from general tax revenue, residence-based, no contributions required. Pillar 1/2: Canada Pension Plan (CPP) in all provinces except Quebec + Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) in Quebec — funded by mandatory employer-employee-self-employed contributions, earnings-related. CPP enhancement (2019–2025) raises replacement rate from 25% to 33.33% and introduces CPP2 second earnings tier (YMPE $74,600 to YAMPE $85,000 in 2026). Pillar 3: Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), employer Registered Pension Plans (RPPs — DB or DC), Group RRSPs, First Home Savings Accounts (FHSAs), and other voluntary savings.","replacement_rate_gross":"~33% (CPP/QPP mandatory public only, for average earner with full career post-enhancement; OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025 places Canada among countries with mandatory gross replacement rates of 20% or below for high earners; combined public+voluntary can reach ~54% for average earners contributing to RRSP for full career)","min_qualifying_period":"CPP retirement: At least 1 valid contribution (minimum 1 month of pensionable employment). Benefit amount based on best 39 years of contributory period. CPP disability: 4 of last 6 years of contributions (or 3 of last 6 if 25+ total years). OAS (within Canada): Minimum 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18. OAS (outside Canada): Minimum 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18 (or qualifying via social security agreement). OAS full pension: 40 years of Canadian residence after age 18.","min_qualifying_partial":"OAS: 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18 (prorated at 1/40th per year; 10 years = 25% of full pension). CPP: Any valid contribution qualifies for a retirement pension, but benefit is proportional to contributions made.","aggregation_rules":"Canada has social security totalization agreements with more than 50 countries. Under these agreements: (1) periods of contribution to a foreign social security program may be counted as CPP contribution periods to meet minimum qualifying requirements for CPP disability and survivor benefits; (2) periods of residence or contribution in a partner country may be counted as Canadian residence for OAS eligibility purposes (but not for calculating the benefit amount, which is based solely on actual years in Canada); (3) CPP contribution periods may be used to help qualify for foreign pension benefits. The US-Canada Totalization Agreement (in force since 1984) allows US Social Security credits to count toward OAS residence requirements, and CPP contribution years to count toward US Social Security eligibility. Note: agreements with Australia, New Zealand, China, Israel, and the UK are limited to coverage coordination only and do not include benefit totalization provisions.","totalization_partners":["Australia","Austria","Belgium","Brazil","Bulgaria","Chile","China (coverage coordination only)","Croatia","Cyprus","Czech Republic","Denmark","Dominican Republic","Estonia","Finland","France","Germany","Greece","Hungary","Iceland","Ireland","Israel (coverage coordination only)","Italy","Jamaica","Japan","Jersey","Korea (Republic of)","Latvia","Lithuania","Luxembourg","Malta","Mexico","Montserrat","Morocco","Netherlands","New Zealand","Norway","Pakistan","Philippines","Poland","Portugal","Romania","Saint Kitts and Nevis","Saint Lucia","Saint Vincent and the Grenadines","San Marino","Slovak Republic","Slovenia","Spain","Sweden","Switzerland","Taiwan","Thailand","Trinidad and Tobago","Tunisia","Turkey","Ukraine","United Kingdom (coverage coordination only)","United States","Uruguay"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"CPP contribution rates unchanged from 2025. YMPE increased to $74,600 in 2026 (from $71,300 in 2025). YAMPE (second earnings ceiling for CPP2) increased to $85,000 in 2026 (from $81,200 in 2025). Basic exemption remains $3,500. Maximum employee/employer base CPP contribution in 2026: $4,230.45 each. Maximum CPP2 contribution: $416 each. Total maximum employee CPP+CPP2: $4,646.45. QPP base rate is 5.3% + 1% additional = 6.3% (decreased from 6.4% in 2025 per Revenu Québec); maximum QPP first-tier employee contribution: $4,479.30. Contributions indexed annually to average wage growth (YMPE) and CPI (benefits). No contribution breaks for low-income workers, but GIS provides means-tested top-up for low-income OAS recipients.","employee_pct":"5.95% (CPP base, on earnings $3,500–$74,600 in 2026) + 4.00% CPP2 (on earnings $74,600–$85,000 in 2026)","employer_pct":"5.95% (CPP base) + 4.00% CPP2 — exactly matches employee contributions","self_employed_pct":"11.9% (CPP base, both shares) + 8.00% CPP2 (both shares); maximum total CPP contribution in 2026: $9,292.90 ($8,460.90 base + $832 CPP2)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"RRSP: March 2, 2026 (for 2025 tax year deduction); March 1, 2027 (for 2026 tax year deduction). TFSA/FHSA: December 31 of the tax year.","available":true,"annual_cost":"RRSP: up to $33,810 or 18% of prior-year earned income (2026 tax year limit), whichever is lower ($32,490 for 2025 tax year). TFSA: up to $7,000/year (2026; cumulative $109,000 for those eligible since 2009). FHSA: up to $8,000/year (lifetime max $40,000) for first-time homebuyers.","benefit_per_year":"RRSP contributions reduce taxable income dollar-for-dollar at marginal tax rate; growth is tax-deferred. TFSA growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free. CPP Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB): workers aged 60–70 who receive CPP and continue working can make additional CPP contributions that generate incremental PRB added to their pension.","eligibility_conditions":"RRSP: Canadian tax filers with earned income, up to age 71 (December 31 of year turning 71 is last contribution date to own RRSP). TFSA: Canadian residents aged 18+. FHSA: Canadian residents aged 18–71 who are first-time homebuyers. Non-residents generally cannot make new RRSP contributions beneficially (no Canadian tax return to deduct against); TFSA contributions by non-residents attract 1% monthly tax."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"CPP/QPP: 0.7% per month after age 65 (8.4% per year), maximum 42% increase if deferred to age 70. OAS: 0.6% per month after age 65 (7.2% per year), maximum 36% increase if deferred to age 70.","early_reduction":"CPP/QPP: 0.6% per month before age 65 (7.2% per year), maximum 36% reduction if taken at age 60. OAS: cannot be taken before age 65; deferral only."},"access_options":{"notes":"CPP/QPP and OAS: no lump sum option; monthly pension only, from age 60 (CPP, reduced) to 70 (CPP/OAS, enhanced). RRSP/RRIF: full lump sum available but fully taxable at marginal rate (25% withholding for non-residents). Employer DC plans: lump sum or transfer to RRSP/RRIF/LIRA. Locked-in accounts (LIRA/LIF): partial unlocking available in some provinces for small balances, shortened life expectancy, financial hardship, or non-residency (full unlock after 2 years of non-residency in some provinces). Annuity purchase available from RRSP/RRIF proceeds.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Non-residents: 25% withholding tax on periodic CPP/OAS/QPP payments (reduced by tax treaty; e.g., 0% for US residents under Article XVIII of the Canada-US Tax Treaty — taxable only in country of residence). Lump sum RRSP/RRIF withdrawals: 25% withholding for non-residents (treaty may not reduce for lump sums; US-Canada treaty reduces periodic RRIF payments to 15%). Locked-in accounts may be fully unlocked upon establishing non-residency for 2+ years in some provinces. Non-residents can apply for NR5 to reduce withholding if treaty rate is lower than 25%."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"RRSP/RRIF lump sum withdrawals by non-residents: 25% withholding tax (final tax obligation to Canada). CPP/OAS: no lump sum option available. Employer pension lump sums: 25% withholding for non-residents. Non-residents may elect to file a Section 217 Canadian tax return to potentially recover excess withholding if their Canadian-source income would be taxed at a lower effective rate.","special_tax_regimes":"OAS Recovery Tax ('clawback'): 15% tax on OAS payments for net world income above the annual threshold. For the 2026 income year: threshold is $95,323; repayment range $95,323–$155,109 for ages 65–74 and up to $161,088 for ages 75+ (per official July–September 2026 rate card). For the July 2026–June 2027 recovery period (based on 2025 income): minimum threshold $93,454, maximum $152,062 (ages 65–74) or $157,923 (ages 75+). Non-resident OAS recipients must file annual Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI/Form T1136) by April 30 unless residing in a tax treaty country (approximately 41 countries exempt from OASRI filing). Section 217 election: non-residents receiving Canadian pension income may elect to file a Canadian tax return and pay tax at graduated rates, potentially recovering excess withholding. NR5 application: non-residents in non-treaty countries or seeking reduced withholding may apply for reduced withholding in the following year (valid 5 years).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Commonly 15% for periodic pension payments under most tax treaties (e.g., Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, UK). Under the US-Canada Tax Treaty (Article XVIII), CPP and OAS are taxable ONLY in the country of residence — 0% Canadian withholding for US residents. Lump sum RRSP/RRIF withdrawals: 25% withholding generally not reduced by treaty for one-time payouts; only periodic payments qualify for reduced rates.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens/residents receiving CPP/OAS must report on US Form 1040; treated as equivalent to US Social Security (up to 85% includable in taxable income). RRSPs receive tax-deferred treatment under the US-Canada treaty (no annual reporting required since 2014 — Form 8891 eliminated). FBAR required if Canadian financial accounts (including RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs) exceed $10,000 combined at any point during the year. FATCA Form 8938 may also apply. The Social Security Fairness Act (enacted January 5, 2025) eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), allowing full concurrent receipt of both CPP/QPP and US Social Security without reduction, retroactive to December 2023.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"CPP, OAS, and QPP are 'social security' benefits receiving special treaty treatment (e.g., taxable only in country of residence under US-Canada treaty). Private employer pensions and RRSP/RRIF payments are treated as 'pensions and annuities' under treaties, typically subject to 15% withholding where treaty applies.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"25% (standard rate on CPP, OAS, QPP, RRSP/RRIF payments to non-residents)"},"indexation":{"notes":"CPP/QPP benefits are indexed annually in January based on the 12-month average CPI change (2.0% increase for 2026). OAS is indexed quarterly (January, April, July, October) based on CPI changes between two 3-month periods; if CPI falls, benefits are not reduced (OAS increased 0.3% for Q1 2026, 0.1% for Q2 2026, and 1.2% for Q3 2026, for a total year-over-year increase of 2.3% from July 2025 to July 2026). Both CPP and OAS are paid at the same indexed rate regardless of country of residence — there is no 'frozen pension' policy. GIS and Allowance are also indexed quarterly but are only payable to Canadian residents (or those absent less than 6 months).","method":"CPP: annual CPI adjustment each January (percentage change in 12-month average CPI from prior year). OAS: quarterly CPI adjustment based on difference between most recent 3-month CPI average and the last 3-month period that triggered an increase; benefits never decrease even if CPI falls.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"CPP and OAS are fully portable worldwide — paid to any country without reduction or suspension (subject to non-resident withholding tax). No transfer of CPP/OAS entitlements to foreign pension systems is possible; each country pays its own benefit. RRSP/RRIF funds cannot be transferred tax-sheltered to foreign registered plans — there are no reciprocal transfer provisions between Canadian registered plans and foreign retirement accounts. Employer RPP locked-in funds (LIRA/LIF) may be transferred within Canadian registered plans or unlocked upon non-residency. QPP and CPP contribution records are consolidated — workers who contributed to both receive one combined benefit."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"CPP: Apply online via My Service Canada Account (MSCA) if a Canadian resident, or by completing Form ISP1000 (Application for CPP Retirement Pension) and mailing to Service Canada if a non-resident (online application not available for non-residents). OAS: Most Canadians are automatically enrolled at 65 by Service Canada; those not automatically enrolled must apply online via MSCA or by mail using Form ISP-3550. Applications from outside Canada should be sent to the Service Canada Processing Centre in the province of last residence. Notify Service Canada of change of address and banking details when moving abroad. Non-residents receive NR4 tax slips by mail (or online via MSCA) each February showing prior-year CPP/OAS payments.","advance_timeline":"Apply up to 11 months before the desired start date. OAS: Service Canada recommends applying at least 6 months before age 65. CPP: Apply at least 6 months before desired start date. Retroactive payments: OAS can be paid retroactively up to 11 months; CPP up to 12 months (11 months plus the month of application, but no earlier than the month following the 65th birthday if applying after age 65).","payment_frequency":"Monthly, paid near the end of each month (CPP and OAS on the same date — typically the third-to-last business day). 2026 payment dates: Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 27, Apr 28, May 27, Jun 26, Jul 29, Aug 27, Sep 25, Oct 28, Nov 26, Dec 22. Direct deposit to Canadian or foreign bank account. Cheques available but direct deposit strongly recommended for international recipients.","required_documents":["Social Insurance Number (SIN)","Valid passport or government-issued photo ID","Birth certificate or certified copy (may be requested by Service Canada)","Proof of Canadian residence periods (may be requested — not required at application)","Proof of legal status in Canada (if applicable — may be requested)","Bank account details for direct deposit (Canadian or foreign bank account)","Form NR4 (tax slip) for non-residents","Form NR5 (if applying for reduced withholding tax — submit by October 31)","Form NR301 (Declaration of eligibility for treaty benefits — for non-residents claiming reduced withholding)","Form ISP1000 (CPP application — required for non-residents applying by mail)","Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI/Form T1136) — required annually for non-resident OAS recipients not in treaty countries"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"My Service Canada Account (MSCA) is accessible internationally at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html. Requires GCKey, bank sign-in, or provincial sign-in with multi-factor authentication. Non-residents can view NR4 slips, update address and banking information, and check benefit status online. However, non-residents CANNOT apply for CPP online through MSCA — they must use paper Form ISP1000 sent by mail. OAS applications can be submitted online via MSCA even from abroad.","proof_of_life_notes":"Canada does not have a formal annual proof-of-life certificate requirement for CPP or OAS recipients abroad. However, Service Canada may periodically request confirmation of continued eligibility. Non-resident OAS recipients must file the annual OASRI (Form T1136) by April 30 each year (unless in a treaty country), which serves as an indirect confirmation of continued receipt. Payments may be suspended if Service Canada cannot confirm the recipient's status.","proof_of_life_required":false,"correspondence_language":"English or French","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Canada Pension Plan (CPP)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related public pension for workers outside Quebec. CPP was enhanced in two stages: Stage 1 (2019–2023) raised the contribution rate from 4.95% to 5.95% on earnings up to the YMPE, increasing the income replacement rate from 25% to 33.33% for post-2019 contributions. Stage 2 (2024–2025) introduced CPP2, a second earnings tier on income between the YMPE ($74,600 in 2026) and the YAMPE ($85,000 in 2026) at a 4% rate (employee and employer each). The maximum monthly CPP retirement pension at age 65 in January 2026 is $1,507.65; the average for new beneficiaries (January 2026) is $925.35/month. Benefits are indexed annually in January based on CPI (2.0% increase for 2026). Payable worldwide without residency restrictions. Workers who continue working while receiving CPP (under age 70) can make Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) contributions to increase their pension. Contributions cease at age 70.","officialUrl":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 1 valid contribution required for retirement pension eligibility. For disability/survivor benefits: at least 4 of the last 6 years of contributions (or 3 of last 6 if 25+ total years). Benefit amount based on best 39 years of up to 47-year contributory period (age 18–65). Drop-out provisions apply for child-rearing years (under age 7) and periods of disability.","contributionRateEmployee":"5.95% (base CPP, on earnings between $3,500 basic exemption and YMPE of $74,600 in 2026) + 4.00% CPP2 (on earnings between $74,600 and $85,000 YAMPE in 2026). Maximum employee base CPP contribution in 2026: $4,230.45; maximum CPP2: $416.00; total maximum: $4,646.45.","contributionRateEmployer":"5.95% (base CPP) + 4.00% CPP2 — employer matches employee contributions exactly. Maximum employer base CPP: $4,230.45; maximum CPP2: $416.00; total maximum: $4,646.45."},{"name":"Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)","type":"state","description":"Quebec's equivalent to CPP, administered by Retraite Québec. Operates in parallel with CPP; workers who contributed to both receive one consolidated benefit. QPP base plan contribution rate for 2026 is 5.3% (employee and employer each) on earnings between $3,500 and the YMPE ($74,600), plus 1% additional plan contribution (total 6.3% each). QPP2 applies at 4% on earnings between YMPE and YAMPE ($85,000 in 2026). Self-employed pay both shares (12.6% base+additional, 8% QPP2). Maximum employee QPP first-tier contribution in 2026: $4,479.30; maximum QPP2: $416.00. QPP contributions cease as of January 1 following the worker's 72nd birthday (i.e., effective age 73). QPP also enhances the income replacement rate from 25% to 33.33% for post-2019 contributions. Quebec has its own social security agreements with 39 countries through Retraite Québec.","officialUrl":"https://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/programmes/regime_rentes/Pages/regime_rentes.aspx","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 1 valid contribution required for retirement pension. Benefit calculated on earnings between age 18 and pension start date, excluding lowest-earning periods.","contributionRateEmployee":"5.3% base + 1.0% additional = 6.3% total (on earnings up to YMPE $74,600) + 4.0% QPP2 (on earnings between $74,600 and $85,000 in 2026). Maximum employee first-tier contribution: $4,479.30; maximum QPP2: $416.00.","contributionRateEmployer":"5.3% base + 1.0% additional = 6.3% total + 4.0% QPP2 — employer matches employee exactly."},{"name":"Old Age Security (OAS)","type":"state","description":"Universal, non-contributory, residence-based pension funded from general tax revenues. Payable from age 65 (deferrable to 70 for a 0.6%/month increase, up to 36% at age 70). Permanent 10% increase for recipients aged 75+ (introduced July 2022). Maximum monthly OAS for ages 65–74: $743.05 (April–June 2026 quarter), rising to $751.97 for July–September 2026 (1.2% CPI increase); for ages 75+: $817.36 (Q2 2026), rising to $827.17 (Q3 2026). Indexed quarterly based on CPI; benefits never decrease. Subject to OAS Recovery Tax ('clawback'): 15 cents per dollar of net world income above $95,323 (2026 income year threshold); the 2026 income year repayment range is $95,323–$155,109 (ages 65–74) and up to $161,088 (ages 75+). For the July 2026–June 2027 recovery period (based on 2025 income), the threshold is $93,454, with full elimination at $152,062 (ages 65–74) or $157,923 (ages 75+). Non-residents subject to 25% withholding tax (reduced by treaty). To receive OAS outside Canada: must be 65+, have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18 (or qualify via social security agreement). GIS is available to low-income OAS recipients residing in Canada; not payable abroad for more than 6 months.","officialUrl":"https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18 for partial pension (within Canada); minimum 20 years for payment outside Canada. Full pension requires 40 years of residence after age 18. Prorated at 1/40th per year of residence.","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (funded from general tax revenues)","contributionRateEmployer":"0% (funded from general tax revenues)"},{"name":"Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)","type":"voluntary","description":"Individual tax-deferred voluntary retirement savings plan. Contributions are tax-deductible; investment growth is tax-deferred until withdrawal. 2026 tax year contribution limit: $33,810 or 18% of prior-year (2025) earned income (whichever is lower), reduced by pension adjustments from employer plans. 2025 tax year limit: $32,490 (deadline March 2, 2026). Unused room carries forward indefinitely. Deadline for 2026 tax year: March 1, 2027. Must be converted to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or annuity by December 31 of the year the holder turns 71. Withdrawals taxed as income at marginal rate. Non-residents: RRSP withdrawals subject to 25% withholding tax (lump sums); periodic RRIF payments may qualify for reduced treaty rate (e.g., 15% for US residents). RRSPs receive favorable tax-deferred treatment under the US-Canada tax treaty.","officialUrl":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Up to 18% of prior-year earned income, max $33,810 for 2026 tax year ($32,490 for 2025 tax year)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)","type":"voluntary","description":"Flexible registered savings account where contributions are not tax-deductible but investment growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free. Annual contribution limit: $7,000 in 2026 (unchanged from 2024 and 2025). Cumulative lifetime limit for those eligible since 2009: $109,000 as of 2026. Unused room carries forward. No mandatory conversion age. Withdrawals do not affect income-tested benefits (OAS, GIS). Non-residents may hold TFSAs but contributions are subject to 1% monthly tax.","officialUrl":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/tax-free-savings-account.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Up to $7,000/year in 2026","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Registered Pension Plan (RPP) — Employer Sponsored","type":"occupational","description":"Employer-sponsored pension plans, either Defined Benefit (DB) or Defined Contribution (DC/Money Purchase). DB plans provide a guaranteed monthly benefit based on earnings and years of service. DC plans accumulate contributions invested on behalf of the member. Coverage has declined from ~46% of workers in 1977 to ~37% today, with a shift from DB to DC in the private sector. Contributions reduce RRSP room via pension adjustment (PA). Locked-in funds (LIRA/LIF) may be unlocked upon non-residency in some provinces after 2 years abroad.","officialUrl":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/pension-plan-registration.html","vestingYears":2,"vestingPeriod":"Vesting rules vary by province; typically 2 years of plan membership for locking-in of employer contributions under federal and most provincial rules.","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by plan","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by plan"}],"cross_border_notes":["Canada has social security totalization agreements with more than 50 countries, allowing periods of contribution or residence to be combined for eligibility purposes. Agreements with Australia, New Zealand, China, Israel, and the UK are limited to coverage coordination only and do not include benefit totalization provisions.","Under the US-Canada Tax Treaty (Article XVIII), CPP and OAS are taxable ONLY in the country of residence for US residents — no Canadian withholding tax applies. US residents should notify Service Canada to stop withholding and may request a refund of any withheld amounts.","The Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 5, 2025) eliminated the US Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), allowing full concurrent receipt of both CPP/QPP and US Social Security without reduction, retroactive to December 2023.","Non-resident OAS recipients must file the annual Old Age Security Return of Income (OASRI/Form T1136) by April 30 each year, unless residing in one of approximately 41 tax treaty countries that are exempt from this requirement.","Non-residents can apply for Form NR5 by October 31 to reduce withholding tax in the following year if their effective Canadian tax rate would be lower than the standard 25% withholding rate. The NR5 is valid for 5 years.","OAS requires 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18 to be paid outside Canada. Residents of countries with social security agreements may count foreign residence/contribution periods toward this 20-year requirement, but the benefit amount is based solely on actual years in Canada.","CPP is payable worldwide without any residency restriction. OAS is payable outside Canada only if the 20-year residence requirement is met (or via social security agreement). GIS and Allowance are not payable outside Canada for more than 6 months.","Locked-in pension funds (LIRA/LIF) from employer plans may be fully unlocked upon establishing non-residency for at least 2 years in some provinces, allowing a lump sum withdrawal subject to 25% non-resident withholding tax.","There are no reciprocal transfer provisions permitting tax-sheltered transfers of Canadian registered plans (RRSP, RRIF, LIRA) to foreign retirement accounts. RRSP/RRIF withdrawals by non-residents are subject to 25% withholding (lump sums) or treaty-reduced rates for periodic payments.","Quebec operates its own QPP through Retraite Québec, with separate social security agreements with 39 countries. QPP and CPP contribution records are consolidated — workers who contributed to both receive one combined benefit. QPP contributions cease as of January 1 following the worker's 72nd birthday (effective age 73), compared to age 70 for CPP.","The CPP enhancement (2019–2025) is gradually increasing the income replacement rate from 25% to 33.33% for post-2019 contributions. The full effect will be realized by approximately 2064–2065 for workers with full careers under the enhanced system.","OAS clawback thresholds are indexed annually. For the 2026 income year, the minimum recovery threshold is $95,323 and the maximum is $155,109 (ages 65–74) or $161,088 (ages 75+) per the official July–September 2026 rate card. For the July 2026–June 2027 recovery period (based on 2025 income), the minimum is $93,454 and the maximum is $152,062 (ages 65–74) or $157,923 (ages 75+).","OAS increased 1.2% for the July–September 2026 quarter (the largest quarterly adjustment of 2026), bringing maximum monthly payments to $751.97 (ages 65–74) and $827.17 (ages 75+), for a year-over-year increase of 2.3% from July 2025 to July 2026."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html","title":"Sign in to My Service Canada Account","detail":"MSCA is the single portal for CPP and Old Age Security. Sign-In Partner (your Canadian bank) is usually smoother than GCKey if you still have Canadian banking."},{"n":2,"title":"Open your CPP Statement of Contributions","detail":"This lists your pensionable earnings and contributions for every year you worked in Canada, plus an estimate of your monthly CPP at 60, 65 and 70."},{"n":3,"title":"Check your years of Canadian residence for OAS","detail":"Old Age Security is separate from CPP and is based on years lived in Canada after 18, not on contributions — roughly 1/40th of the full amount per year of residence. If you emigrated, expect a partial OAS."},{"n":4,"title":"Verify the contribution years look right","detail":"Cross-check against your own record of Canadian employment. A missing year is worth querying while you still have the payslips or T4s to prove it."},{"n":5,"title":"If you can't get online, request it by phone or post","detail":"Service Canada will send a Statement of Contributions by mail. From outside Canada and the US there is an international line, and collect calls are accepted from some countries."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You can't complete MSCA registration from abroad","whatToDo":"The mailed personal access code is the usual blocker. Request the Statement of Contributions by phone or post instead — same document, slower."},{"symptom":"You no longer have a Canadian bank account for Sign-In Partner","whatToDo":"Use GCKey, which does not depend on a bank relationship."},{"symptom":"You have fewer than the minimum years of Canadian residence for OAS abroad","whatToDo":"OAS paid outside Canada normally requires a minimum period of residence; a social security agreement with your country may help you meet it. Raise this when you claim."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html","portalName":"My Service Canada Account (MSCA)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).","A GCKey, or a Sign-In Partner login through a Canadian bank if you still hold a Canadian account.","If you are registering for the first time, a personal access code may be mailed to you — allow extra time from abroad."],"couldNotVerify":"Current international phone numbers and whether collect calls are accepted from a given country change; confirm on the Service Canada site rather than relying on a number quoted here.","documentNameLocal":"CPP Statement of Contributions","documentNameEnglish":"Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions"}},{"country":"China","country_code":"CN","continent":"asia","currency":"CNY","retirement_age_early":57,"retirement_age_full":63,"retirement_age_max":66,"pension_system_summary":"China operates a multi-pillar pension system covering over 1.07 billion people (as of March 2025). The first pillar consists of two mandatory public schemes: the Urban Employee Basic Pension Insurance (城镇职工基本养老保险) for salaried urban workers, and the Urban and Rural Residents Basic Pension (城乡居民基本养老保险) for non-employed rural and urban residents. The Urban Employee scheme combines a pay-as-you-go defined-benefit social pooling account (funded by employer contributions of 16%) with a mandatory defined-contribution individual account (funded by employee contributions of 8%). The second pillar comprises voluntary Enterprise Annuities (企业年金) for private-sector employees and mandatory Occupational Annuities (职业年金) for government and public-institution employees. The third pillar is the Individual Pension Account (个人养老金账户), a voluntary tax-deferred scheme piloted in 36 cities from November 2022 and expanded nationwide on December 15, 2024, with an annual contribution ceiling of CNY 12,000.\n\nChina enacted landmark pension reforms in September 2024, effective January 1, 2025. For the first time since 1978, the statutory retirement age is being gradually raised over 15 years: from 60 to 63 for men, from 55 to 58 for white-collar women, and from 50 to 55 for blue-collar women. A flexible retirement system (Interim Methods for the Implementation of Flexible Retirement System, issued December 31, 2024) allows early retirement of up to three years (not below the former statutory age, provided minimum contribution period is met) or delayed retirement of up to three years by mutual employer-employee agreement. Workers in physically demanding or hazardous occupations may retire up to five years before the standard age. Starting January 2030, the minimum contribution period for monthly pension benefits will also rise incrementally from 15 to 20 years (by six months per year), reaching 20 years by 2039. Enterprise Annuity coverage was further expanded in January 2026 to include all enterprise types, social organizations, foundations, and private non-enterprise institutions.\n\nThe system faces significant structural challenges including rapid population aging, regional fragmentation, and a large urban-rural benefit disparity. By end-2024, the basic pension fund for urban employees had a cumulative surplus of CNY 7.1 trillion. Basic pensions were raised by 2% for 2025 (the 21st consecutive annual increase, effective January 1, 2025), benefiting approximately 150 million retirees. The average monthly pension for retired urban employees was approximately CNY 3,742 in 2023, while the average voluntary (residents) scheme payout was only about CNY 223 per month. The government continues to transfer shares from state-owned enterprises to the National Social Security Fund to bridge long-term funding gaps.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/","name":"Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS / 人力资源和社会保障部)"},{"url":"https://www.12333.gov.cn/","name":"National Social Insurance Public Service Platform (全国社会保险公共服务平台)"},{"url":"https://www.chinatax.gov.cn/","name":"State Taxation Administration — Social Insurance Contributions"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/cn/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/cn","system_type":"Multi-pillar mixed public-private system (Bismarckian-influenced)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1a: Mandatory Urban Employee Basic Pension Insurance — pay-as-you-go defined-benefit social pooling account + mandatory defined-contribution individual account; Pillar 1b: Urban and Rural Residents Basic Pension — voluntary contributions with government subsidy, flat-rate benefit; Pillar 2: Voluntary Enterprise Annuity (企业年金) for private-sector employees (expanded to all employer types from January 2026); mandatory Occupational Annuity (职业年金) for government/public-institution employees; Pillar 3: Voluntary Individual Pension Account (个人养老金账户) — tax-deferred, nationwide from December 15, 2024, CNY 12,000 annual cap","replacement_rate_gross":"~68% (average earner, men, mandatory schemes per OECD Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024; low earners: ~87%; high earners: ~59%). Net replacement rate for average earners: ~88% (OECD 2024, reflecting tax-exempt status of statutory pension income in China).","min_qualifying_period":"15 years of contributions (rising incrementally to 20 years by 2039, starting January 2030 at a rate of 6 months per year). Workers retiring between 2025 and 2029 maintain the existing 15-year minimum.","min_qualifying_partial":"Less than 15 years: individual account balance can be withdrawn as lump sum or inherited; employee may continue contributing voluntarily or make a one-time lump-sum payment to meet the minimum threshold","aggregation_rules":"Contribution years accumulate on a cumulative basis across provinces and employers. National unified registration system tracks contributions. Foreigners who leave China before pension age may retain accounts (contributions counted if re-employed in China) or withdraw individual account balance in a lump sum. Contribution periods from different provinces are aggregated for eligibility purposes. No credits for periods out of the labour market.","totalization_partners":["Germany","South Korea","Denmark","Canada","Finland","Switzerland","Netherlands","Spain","Luxembourg","Japan","Serbia","France (signed but not yet in force)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Standard national rates: employee 8%, employer 16% of gross salary, capped at 300% of local average monthly wage. Contribution base floor is typically 60% of local average wage. Rates are set nationally but administered locally; regional variation in base ceilings exists (e.g., Shanghai 2026 ceiling exceeds CNY 36,000/month; Beijing 2025–2026 ceiling is CNY 35,811/month). Self-employed persons voluntarily covered at 20% total. Pensioners pay no social security contributions. Employer contributions are tax-deductible as business expenses. Note: Guangzhou employer pension rate is 14% (lower than the national standard 16%), illustrating permitted regional variation.","employee_pct":"8%","employer_pct":"16%","self_employed_pct":"20% (12% to social pooling fund + 8% to individual account; voluntary participation)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Annual tax filing deadline (contributions can be claimed monthly or at annual IIT reconciliation, filing period March 1 – June 30 of the following year)","available":true,"annual_cost":"Up to CNY 12,000 per year for Individual Pension Account (Pillar 3); Enterprise Annuity employee contributions up to 4% of salary","benefit_per_year":"Tax deduction of up to CNY 12,000 from comprehensive or business income; investment returns tax-exempt; withdrawals taxed at flat 3% rate (EET model)","eligibility_conditions":"Must be enrolled in Urban Employee Basic Pension Insurance or Urban-Rural Residents Basic Pension Insurance. Open to Chinese citizens and resident foreign workers. Accounts opened via National Social Insurance Public Service Platform, '掌上12333' mobile app, or eligible commercial banks. Nationwide from December 15, 2024."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Deferred pension payments permitted after normal pension age but the pension benefit is not valorised (no actuarial increase for deferral per OECD 2024). Delayed retirement of up to 3 years beyond new statutory age permitted by mutual employer-employee agreement.","early_reduction":"Early retirement (up to 3 years before new statutory age, not below former statutory age) permitted if minimum contribution period met; no explicit actuarial reduction formula published — benefit calculated based on actual contribution years and account balance at time of retirement. Workers in physically demanding or hazardous occupations may retire up to 5 years before the standard age."},"access_options":{"notes":"Urban Employee Basic Pension: monthly annuity payments (mandatory for those meeting contribution requirements). Individual account DC component converted to monthly payments using government annuity factor. Enterprise Annuity: lump sum or installments. Individual Pension Account (Pillar 3): monthly, installments, or lump sum when qualifying conditions met. Urban-Rural Residents Pension: monthly payments.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Foreigners permanently leaving China may elect to close their individual pension account and withdraw the employee-contributed balance in a lump sum (employer/government pooling contributions are not refundable). Contribution history is retained if the individual is re-employed in China. Foreign employees from totalization agreement countries may be exempt from certain contributions."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Individual Pension Account lump-sum withdrawals taxed at flat 3% rate (not included in comprehensive income). Enterprise Annuity lump-sum withdrawals taxed as income in the year of receipt.","special_tax_regimes":"Individual Pension Account uses EET model: contributions deductible (up to CNY 12,000/year), investment returns exempt, withdrawals taxed at 3%. Enterprise Annuity uses TEE-adjacent model: employer contributions not taxed on allocation; employee contributions deductible up to 4% of salary; benefits taxed on receipt. Standard IIT personal allowance is CNY 60,000/year (CNY 5,000/month). Social security contributions made in accordance with the Social Security Law are deductible for IIT purposes.","treaty_reduced_rate":"US-China tax treaty Article 17 may exempt Chinese government pension from US tax for non-US-citizen recipients; private/enterprise pension taxable in country of residence under most treaties. Treaty relief varies by country of residence. China has concluded tax treaties with over 100 countries.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Chinese pension accounts (basic social insurance) are generally not considered foreign financial accounts for FBAR/FATCA purposes as they are government-administered social insurance. Individual Pension Accounts and Enterprise Annuities held at commercial institutions may require disclosure. US persons should consult a tax advisor; treaty positions under US-China DTA Article 17 are complex. China does not have a totalization agreement with the United States.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Statutory pension (Social Security Law) is tax-exempt income in China per PwC Tax Summaries. Enterprise Annuity employer contributions not subject to IIT when allocated to employee accounts; employee contributions up to 4% of salary base are deductible. Individual Pension Account contributions deductible up to CNY 12,000/year; investment income tax-exempt; withdrawals taxed at flat 3%.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Statutory pension income received after retirement under the Social Security Law is tax-exempt in China for residents (confirmed by PwC Tax Summaries). Non-residents: China-sourced income subject to IIT; pension payments to overseas retirees generally not subject to automatic withholding at source under the basic pension scheme. Non-residents are taxed only on China-source income."},"indexation":{"notes":"Basic pensions are adjusted annually by the State Council/MOHRSS based on a mix of wage growth and price inflation. The 2025 adjustment is 2% for all retirees who retired before end-2024 (21st consecutive annual increase), announced July 10, 2025 by MOHRSS and Ministry of Finance, effective January 1, 2025, benefiting approximately 150 million retirees. The 2024 adjustment was 3%. Provinces implement local plans based on regional conditions. Individual account balances grow through investment returns. Overseas retirees receive the same annual adjustments as domestic retirees, subject to continued proof-of-qualification (pension qualification status check) via Chinese embassy/consulate.","method":"Discretionary annual adjustment decided by State Council/MOHRSS based on economic conditions, CPI inflation, wage growth, and fund sustainability. No strict statutory indexation formula. Provincial variation in implementation permitted. Recent adjustments have been below average wage growth but above CPI.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Contribution records are portable across provinces via the national unified social insurance registration system. When changing employment across provinces, the individual account balance and contribution years transfer with the worker. The social pooling fund portion does not transfer but contribution years are aggregated nationally. Portability for migrant workers and flexible/gig workers remains a policy priority. Urban-Rural Residents Pension is locally administered with limited inter-provincial portability. Enterprise Annuity individual account balances are portable upon job change."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"For Chinese citizens abroad: (1) Complete retirement procedures in China before departure and obtain pension account details. (2) Contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country of residence. (3) Complete the 'Pension Qualification Status Check' form (renamed from 'Proof of Living' in 2015 to show respect to retirees). (4) Submit valid passport, residence permit/proof of overseas residence, and completed form in person, via trusted intermediary (for first three years if health prevents personal visit), or by mail to the embassy. (5) Embassy verifies identity and living status; issues approval. (6) Approval forwarded to domestic pension authority for benefit payment. (7) Pension paid monthly via bank transfer (SWIFT or local bank partnerships). Pensioners must report in person for renewal in the fourth year. For foreigners leaving China permanently: apply at local social security bureau to withdraw individual account balance in lump sum before departure.","advance_timeline":"Retirement procedures should be completed in China before departure. Overseas qualification checks are typically required annually.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (standard for Urban Employee Basic Pension). Timing depends on provincial social insurance authority. International transfers processed via SWIFT or local bank partnerships.","required_documents":["Valid passport","Proof of current overseas residence (residence permit, visa, or equivalent)","Completed 'Pension Qualification Status Check' form (provided by Chinese embassy/consulate)","Birth certificate or identification proving age (if requested)","Annual pension qualification certification from Chinese embassy/consulate (for continued payment)","Bank account details for international transfer","If using intermediary: notarized power of attorney or authorization document (permitted for first three years if health prevents personal visit; personal appearance required in fourth year)","For foreigners withdrawing on departure: proof of employment termination, valid identification, domestic bank account details"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"The National Social Insurance Public Service Platform (www.12333.gov.cn) and '掌上12333' mobile app provide access to contribution records and some services. Individual Pension Accounts can be managed via commercial banks online. However, overseas pension qualification verification remains largely manual/embassy-based. No dedicated English-language overseas pension portal. Electronic social security cards exist but overseas functionality is limited.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual 'Pension Qualification Status Check' required for overseas retirees, conducted via Chinese embassy or consulate in country of residence. The procedure was renamed from 'Proof of Living' to 'Pension Qualification Status Check' in 2015 to be more respectful. Can be done in person, via trusted intermediary, or by mail for the first three years; personal appearance required in the fourth year. Electronic/digital verification options are limited for overseas retirees; process remains largely manual and embassy-based. Retirees who have changed nationality or obtained permanent residency abroad retain the right to claim their Chinese pension.","proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Chinese (Mandarin); embassy staff may assist with translation","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Urban Employee Basic Pension Insurance (城镇职工基本养老保险)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory scheme for urban salaried employees and legally employed foreigners. Combines a pay-as-you-go defined-benefit social pooling account (employer-funded at 16%) with a mandatory defined-contribution individual account (employee-funded at 8%). The DB component pays 1% of the average of the indexed individual wage and province-wide average earnings per year of coverage. The DC individual account balance is converted to monthly payments using a government-determined annuity factor based on retirement age and national life expectancy. As of March 2025, approximately 536 million people enrolled in the mandatory scheme. Cumulative fund surplus of CNY 7.1 trillion as of end-2024. Average monthly pension for retired urban employees was approximately CNY 3,742 in 2023.","officialUrl":"http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years minimum contribution (rising incrementally to 20 years by 2039, starting January 2030 at a rate of 6 months per year). Workers retiring between 2025 and 2029 maintain the existing 15-year minimum.","contributionRateEmployee":"8% of gross monthly salary (credited to individual account)","contributionRateEmployer":"16% of employee's gross salary (to social pooling fund; capped at 3x local average wage)"},{"name":"Urban and Rural Residents Basic Pension (城乡居民基本养老保险)","type":"state","description":"Covers non-employed urban and rural residents aged 16+ not covered by the employee scheme. Voluntary contributions with government subsidies; flat-rate basic pension from government pooling fund plus individual account balance. Approximately 535 million enrolled as of March 2025. Average monthly payout approximately CNY 223–246 (2024–2025), far below the urban employee average. Government committed to gradually raising the basic pension level; national minimum monthly basic pension has been raised multiple times, reaching CNY 143 after seven adjustments. Government has pledged further increases targeting CNY 600/month.","officialUrl":"http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years of contributions required to receive monthly benefits at age 60","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; annual contribution tiers set by local government (typically CNY 100–2,000+ per year)","contributionRateEmployer":"Government subsidy (central and local) to pooling fund; no employer contribution"},{"name":"Enterprise Annuity (企业年金)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary supplementary occupational pension jointly established by employers and employees, supplementing the mandatory basic pension. Employer contributions capped at 8% of total employee wages; combined employer+employee contributions capped at 12% of total wages. Employer contributions vest to employees within a maximum of 8 years per agreed schedule (immediate vesting if termination is not employee's fault). As of Q3 2025, approximately 175,000 employers covering 33.32 million employees, with accumulated funds of CNY 4.09 trillion. Expanded from January 2026 to include all enterprise types, social organizations, foundations, and private non-enterprise institutions. Payouts available as lump sum or installments at retirement.","officialUrl":"http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/","vestingYears":8,"vestingPeriod":"Employer contributions vest within 8 years per agreed schedule; employee contributions and investment gains vest immediately","contributionRateEmployee":"Up to 4% of salary (employee portion deductible from taxable income up to 4% of salary base)","contributionRateEmployer":"Up to 8% of total employee wages (combined employer+employee cap: 12% of total wages)"},{"name":"Individual Pension Account (个人养老金账户)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary third-pillar tax-deferred individual retirement savings scheme. Piloted in 36 cities from November 2022; expanded nationwide December 15, 2024. Open to all workers enrolled in either the Urban Employee Basic Pension or Urban-Rural Residents Basic Pension. Annual contribution ceiling: CNY 12,000. Contributions deductible from taxable income; investment income tax-exempt; withdrawals taxed at flat 3%. Funds can be invested in approved products including bank wealth management products, savings deposits, commercial pension insurance, and mutual funds. As of November 2024, over 72.8 million accounts opened (in the original 36 pilot cities). Withdrawals permitted at pension age, on permanent emigration, serious illness, unemployment, or receipt of minimum social security benefits.","officialUrl":"https://www.12333.gov.cn/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting period; funds locked until qualifying withdrawal conditions met","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to CNY 12,000 per year","contributionRateEmployer":"None (employers do not participate in funding or administration)"}],"cross_border_notes":["China has totalization agreements in effect with 12 countries (Germany, South Korea, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Luxembourg, Japan, Serbia, and one additional country per PwC Tax Summaries as of mid-2026); a further agreement with France is signed but not yet in force. These agreements generally cover pension and unemployment insurance exemptions for temporarily assigned workers.","China does NOT have a totalization agreement with the United States; US expats working in China may face dual social security contributions. China is also not covered by US totalization agreements as of 2026.","Statutory pension income (basic social insurance) is tax-exempt in China for residents per PwC Tax Summaries and OECD 2024. Overseas retirees are generally not subject to automatic withholding at source on basic pension payments.","Private pension (Individual Pension Account) withdrawals are taxed at a flat 3% rate in China, separate from comprehensive income.","US persons receiving Chinese pensions should consult a tax advisor regarding US-China DTA Article 17 treaty positions, FBAR/FATCA obligations, and IRS reporting requirements.","Foreigners permanently leaving China may withdraw only their individual account (employee-contributed) balance; employer/government pooling contributions are non-refundable.","Overseas retirees must complete an annual 'Pension Qualification Status Check' via a Chinese embassy or consulate to continue receiving pension payments. Delegation to a trusted intermediary is permitted for the first three years; personal appearance is required in the fourth year.","Pension payments to overseas retirees are made monthly via international bank transfer; retirees who have changed nationality or obtained permanent residency abroad retain the right to claim their Chinese pension.","The retirement age reform (effective January 2025) is being phased in over 15 years; workers who already reached the former statutory age before January 1, 2025 are not affected by the new rules.","Starting January 2030, the minimum contribution period rises from 15 to 20 years (by 6 months per year, reaching 20 years by 2039); workers retiring between 2025 and 2029 maintain the existing 15-year minimum. This affects eligibility for overseas claimants who contributed for fewer than 20 years.","Enterprise Annuity coverage was expanded from January 2026 to include all enterprise types, social organizations, foundations, and private non-enterprise institutions, broadening supplementary pension access.","Workers in physically demanding or hazardous occupations may be eligible for early retirement up to 5 years before the standard statutory age, subject to local approval."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Identify the city that holds your record","detail":"Contributions are collected and held locally. A record in Shanghai is not visible to a Beijing office, and the local Human Resources and Social Security bureau is the body that actually holds your file."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.12333.gov.cn/","title":"Try the national platform","detail":"The national social insurance public service platform consolidates some services across provinces and is the best single starting point."},{"n":3,"title":"Request your personal rights record","detail":"This statement lists contributions to the pension insurance and the balance of your individual account."},{"n":4,"title":"Check the 15-year threshold","detail":"A monthly Chinese pension generally requires 15 years of contributions. Below that, options depend on your status and the local rules, and a foreign national leaving China may be able to close the individual account."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/","title":"Keep the documentation","detail":"If you are leaving, complete what you can before departure — the process is materially harder from outside China, and the local bureau will expect Chinese-language contact."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have left China and cannot reach the local bureau","whatToDo":"A trusted contact in China with written authorisation can act for you, and the former employer's HR department often still holds the registration details. Chinese embassies advise citizens abroad on pension qualification checks."},{"symptom":"You worked in more than one city","whatToDo":"Records can be transferred and consolidated between provinces through the national system, but the transfer has to be requested. Until it is, each city holds its own fragment."},{"symptom":"You are a foreign national unsure whether you were covered","whatToDo":"Coverage of foreign employees is mandatory in principle but was applied unevenly by city, and some nationalities are exempt under bilateral agreements. Ask the local bureau with your passport number and employer."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.12333.gov.cn/","portalName":"National Social Insurance Public Service Platform","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Chinese ID number, or the passport number you were registered under as a foreign employee.","The city where you worked. This is the crucial detail: Chinese social insurance is administered city by city, and your record sits with the local bureau rather than centrally.","Your employers and dates, in Chinese characters if possible."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the national platform serves a full record to a user without a Chinese ID number and Chinese mobile number.","documentNameLocal":"社会保险个人权益记录","documentNameEnglish":"Social insurance personal rights record"}},{"country":"Colombia","country_code":"CO","continent":"americas","currency":"COP","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":62,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Colombia's pension system is currently governed by Law 100 of 1993, which established two competing mandatory regimes: the public defined-benefit pay-as-you-go scheme (RPM – Régimen de Prima Media) managed by Colpensiones, and the private individual savings scheme (RAIS – Régimen de Ahorro Individual con Solidaridad) managed by private Pension Fund Administrators (AFPs: Porvenir, Protección, Colfondos, and Skandia). Workers choose between the two regimes and may switch every five years, up to ten years before reaching retirement age. The RPM requires 1,300 weeks of contributions and retirement at age 62 (men) or 57 (women) for a defined-benefit pension calculated by formula; the RAIS has no minimum age or weeks requirement but requires sufficient accumulated capital to fund a pension of at least 110% of the minimum wage. Pension benefits are paid 13 times per year. The minimum pension in both regimes equals the legal minimum wage (SMLMV), set at COP 1,750,905 for 2026.\n\nIn July 2024, President Petro signed Law 2381 of 2024, a sweeping pension reform designed to replace the dual-regime system with a four-pillar structure: (1) Solidarity Pillar for those in extreme poverty; (2) Semi-Contributory Pillar for those who reach retirement age without meeting full contribution requirements; (3) Contributory Pillar combining a public Average Premium Component (Colpensiones, for earnings up to 2.3 SMLMV) and a private Complementary Individual Savings Component (ACCAI/AFPs, for earnings above 2.3 SMLMV); and (4) Voluntary Savings Pillar. However, the Colombian Constitutional Court suspended the law's July 1, 2025 implementation date on June 17, 2025, due to a procedural flaw ('vicio de trámite') in the legislative process, with 93 of its 95 articles rendered inactive. The Court returned the law to the House of Representatives for a corrective vote. Congress attempted a correction, and the Constitutional Court is scheduled to resume its review on August 13, 2026, with a tie-breaking vote by substitute judge Carlos Pablo Márquez. The current RPM/RAIS dual system therefore remains in force. Additionally, the Council of State suspended Decree 415 of 2026 (which had ordered AFPs to transfer assets to Colpensiones for affiliates who exercised the Article 76 regime-transfer window), further complicating the reform's implementation.\n\nThe Article 76 regime-transfer window of Law 2381 — allowing workers with ≥750 weeks (women) or ≥900 weeks (men) who are within 10 years of retirement age to transfer between regimes — remains active until July 16, 2026, despite the broader suspension. Colombia's pension system faces structural challenges: only about 25% of the elderly receive a contributory pension, coverage is low due to high labour market informality, and pension subsidies are heavily skewed toward higher-income groups. The OECD (Pensions at a Glance 2025) projects a gross replacement rate of 74.8% at average earnings for a full-career worker retiring at 62, placing Colombia among the most generous mandatory pension systems in the OECD.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.colpensiones.gov.co","name":"Colpensiones (RPM – Public Pension Administrator)"},{"url":"https://sede.colpensiones.gov.co","name":"Colpensiones Sede Electrónica (Online Portal – including proof of life filing)"},{"url":"https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co","name":"Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (Financial Superintendence – AFP Regulator)"},{"url":"https://www.mintrabajo.gov.co","name":"Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour)"},{"url":"https://www.dian.gov.co","name":"DIAN – Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (Tax Authority)"},{"url":"https://www.ugpp.gov.co","name":"UGPP – Unidad de Gestión Pensional y Parafiscales (Pension & Parafiscal Management Unit)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/co/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/co","system_type":"Hybrid – Public DB PAYG (RPM/Colpensiones) competing with Private DC individual accounts (RAIS/AFPs); four-pillar reform (Law 2381 of 2024) suspended since June 17, 2025, pending Constitutional Court final ruling (scheduled August 13, 2026)","pillar_structure":"Current system (Law 100/1993): Pillar 1 – RPM Colpensiones (DB PAYG, public); Pillar 2 – RAIS AFPs (DC individual accounts, private). Pending reform (Law 2381/2024, suspended since June 17, 2025): Pillar 1 – Solidarity (non-contributory, poverty relief, COP 223,800/month minimum); Pillar 2 – Semi-Contributory (partial lifetime benefit up to 80% SMLMV for those who miss full requirements, ages 65 men / 60 women); Pillar 3 – Contributory (Colpensiones up to 2.3 SMLMV + ACCAI/AFP above 2.3 SMLMV); Pillar 4 – Voluntary Savings","replacement_rate_gross":"74.8% of individual gross earnings at average wage for a full-career worker (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, projected for retirement at age 62). RPM formula: 55%–80% of Base Settlement Income depending on weeks contributed and contribution base; RAIS: actuarially determined based on accumulated capital.","min_qualifying_period":"RPM: 1,300 weeks (approx. 25 years) of contributions; RAIS: no minimum weeks, but accumulated capital must fund a pension ≥ 110% of minimum wage (1,150 weeks required for Minimum Pension Guarantee access)","min_qualifying_partial":"RPM: Indemnización Sustitutiva (lump-sum) if retirement age reached without 1,300 weeks. Under suspended Law 2381 reform: Semi-Contributory Pillar would provide a lifetime benefit (up to 80% SMLMV, not classified as a pension) for those aged 65 (men) or 60 (women) who contributed but did not meet full requirements.","aggregation_rules":"Colombia participates in the Ibero-American Multilateral Agreement on Social Security (in force since May 2011), allowing totalization of contribution periods with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic. The Andean Community (CAN) agreement (Decision 578, effective January 1, 2005) coordinates pension coverage among Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. The Pacific Alliance agreement (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, effective February 2024) facilitates pension fund coordination. No US–Colombia totalization agreement exists; US self-employed expats may face dual social security obligations.","totalization_partners":["Spain","Argentina","Bolivia","Brazil","Chile","El Salvador","Ecuador","Paraguay","Peru","Portugal","Uruguay","Dominican Republic","Mexico (Pacific Alliance)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total mandatory pension contribution is 16% of the Contribution Base Income (IBC): employer pays 12%, employee pays 4%. Contribution base: minimum 1 SMLMV (COP 1,750,905 in 2026), maximum 25 SMLMV (COP 43,772,625 in 2026). For integral salary employees, contribution base is the lower of 25 SMLMV or 70% of integral salary. Additional Solidarity Fund contributions apply for incomes above 4 SMLMV: currently 1%–2% (under Law 100); under suspended Law 2381 reform these would increase to 1.5%–3%. Foreign employees already contributing to a pension system in their country of origin are exempt from mandatory Colombian pension contributions. The UVT for 2026 is COP 52,347 (up from COP 49,799 in 2025). SMLMV for 2026: COP 1,750,905 (23% increase from 2025, set by Decrees 1469 and 1470 of 2025).","employee_pct":"4%","employer_pct":"12%","self_employed_pct":"16% (on 40% of net income, minimum 1 SMLMV, maximum 25 SMLMV)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":null,"available":true,"annual_cost":null,"benefit_per_year":null,"eligibility_conditions":"Available to any individual through licensed voluntary pension funds (Fondos de Pensiones Voluntarias) managed by AFPs and other financial institutions, on an individual or collective (employer-sponsored) basis. Colombians abroad may make voluntary contributions. Contributions to voluntary funds are exempt from income tax if held for at least 10 years (or used for housing purchase); early withdrawal triggers income inclusion in the year of withdrawal. Under RAIS, voluntary contributions to mandatory pensions are treated as non-taxable income up to 25% of annual employment income or 2,500 UVT (COP 130,935,000 for FY 2026). Contributions to a Voluntary Fund receive a 30% tax benefit; combined exempt income and deductions are capped at 40% of gross income less health and pension contributions."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"RPM: Additional weeks above 1,300 increase the replacement rate (formula: R = 65.50 – 0.50s, with higher weeks yielding higher rate up to 80% maximum). Late retirement is possible until minimum weeks are completed or replacement rate is maximized. RAIS: Late retirement possible until sufficient capital is accumulated or minimum weeks for Minimum Pension Guarantee are reached.","early_reduction":"RPM: Early retirement generally not available. Exceptions: disability pension and special early pension for heads of household with dependent disabled children (benefit lost if re-entering workforce). RAIS: No minimum age; earlier claiming reduces monthly pension proportionally based on lower accumulated capital."},"access_options":{"notes":"RPM (Colpensiones): Lifetime annuity only upon meeting age and weeks requirements; paid 13 times per year. If requirements not met at retirement age, Indemnización Sustitutiva (lump-sum compensation based on weeks contributed multiplied by average weekly base settlement income, with weighted average contribution percentages applied) is paid instead — not a pension. RAIS (AFPs): Choice of lifetime annuity, programmed withdrawal, variable temporary annuity with deferred/immediate lifetime annuity, or programmed withdrawal without pension guarantee. If capital insufficient, Devolución de Saldos (balance refund including earnings) is paid. Minimum 1,150 weeks required for RAIS Minimum Pension Guarantee. Under suspended Law 2381 reform: direct fund withdrawal would be eliminated; lifetime income based on accumulated savings.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"No general departure withdrawal provision. Colombian pension rights are preserved for returning residents and non-residents. Totalization agreements with Ibero-American countries and Andean Community members allow portability. Non-resident pension payments are subject to Colombian withholding tax rules. Foreign nationals who contributed to Colombian pension system may access benefits upon meeting eligibility requirements regardless of residence."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Indemnización Sustitutiva (RPM lump-sum) and Devolución de Saldos (RAIS balance refund) are subject to income tax rules as pension substitutes. Voluntary fund withdrawals within 10 years of deposit are included as taxable income in the year of withdrawal (exception: used for housing purchase).","special_tax_regimes":"Foreign pension income received by Colombian tax residents is exempt from Colombian income tax up to 1,000 UVT per month (COP 52,347,000/month for 2026). This exemption was extended to foreign pensions by Law 2381 of 2024 and confirmed by DIAN. RAIS affiliates may claim non-taxable income treatment on voluntary contributions to mandatory pensions up to 25% of annual income or 2,500 UVT (COP 130,935,000 for FY 2026). Voluntary Fund contributors may claim a 30% tax benefit; combined exempt income and deductions capped at 40% of gross income less health and pension contributions (approximately COP 70,181,160 for 2026 per KPMG). Colombia is a member of the OECD (joined 2020), participates in the BEPS Inclusive Framework, and exchanges information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).","treaty_reduced_rate":"No US–Colombia income tax treaty exists. Colombia has approximately 15 active double taxation agreements including Spain, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, South Korea, Czech Republic, Portugal, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, India, and Andean Community countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru under Decision 578). A Colombia–Luxembourg DTA was approved by Luxembourg Parliament in April 2025 and may be in force from 2026 if Colombia completed ratification. Treaty relief available where applicable.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"No US–Colombia income tax treaty. US citizens must file US tax returns regardless of residence. Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555) may reduce double taxation. No US–Colombia totalization agreement; US self-employed expats may owe both US self-employment tax (15.3%) and Colombian pension contributions simultaneously. Colombian pension accounts may require FBAR/FATCA reporting depending on account values. Note: The Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 2025) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), meaning US Social Security benefits are no longer reduced for those also receiving a Colombian pension.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction in tax treatment between RPM (public) and RAIS (private) pension income — both exempt up to 1,000 UVT/month (COP 52,347,000/month for 2026). RAIS voluntary contributions to mandatory pensions receive additional tax benefits (treated as non-taxable income up to 25% of annual income or 2,500 UVT / COP 130,935,000 for FY 2026); voluntary fund contributions receive a 30% tax benefit.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Colombian pension income is exempt from income tax up to 1,000 UVT per month (COP 52,347,000/month for 2026, up from COP 49,799,000/month in 2025). Amounts exceeding 1,000 UVT are taxable at progressive rates. Non-residents on Colombian-source income generally face a flat 35% rate; non-resident labor compensation subject to 20% withholding at source."},"indexation":{"notes":"Pensions paid to non-residents abroad are uprated on the same basis as domestic pensions. No frozen pension policy for Colombian pensioners abroad. Payments abroad are made in Colombian pesos (COP) at the TRM (Tasa Representativa del Mercado) exchange rate on the day of transfer.","method":"RPM pensions indexed annually by CPI (Consumer Price Index / IPC) as certified by DANE. RAIS annuity pensions also adjusted annually according to CPI change. Solidarity Pillar basic income (under suspended Law 2381 reform) would be updated annually by CPI from January 1 each year.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Colombia participates in the Ibero-American Multilateral Agreement on Social Security (effective May 2011) covering Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic — allowing totalization of contribution periods. The Andean Community (CAN) agreement (Decision 578, effective January 1, 2005) coordinates pension coverage among Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. The Pacific Alliance agreement (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, effective February 2024) facilitates pension fund coordination. No US–Colombia totalization agreement exists. Within Colombia, under the suspended Law 2381 reform, AFP savings would be transferred to Colpensiones at retirement; however, the Council of State suspended Decree 415 of 2026 which had ordered interim AFP-to-Colpensiones asset transfers for Article 76 regime-transfer participants."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply at Colpensiones (RPM) or the relevant AFP (RAIS). From abroad: claimants typically require an authorized representative in Colombia (lawyer or power-of-attorney holder — 'Poder Especial') to formally file and follow up. The Poder Especial must be signed before a notary or Colombian consulate and apostilled. Initial stages may be started via Colpensiones online portal (sede.colpensiones.gov.co). Original apostilled documents must generally be submitted in Colombia. Processing time: typically 3–6 months. Colombians abroad may also contact Colpensiones via its international affairs channels. Correcting errors in the work history ('Historia Laboral') is a critical step that may require legal assistance.","advance_timeline":"Begin gathering documents and correcting work history ('Historia Laboral') at least 6–12 months before expected retirement date. Formal application should be filed as early as possible given processing times.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (13 payments per year — 12 monthly payments plus one additional payment, equivalent to a 13th-month bonus)","required_documents":["Cédula de Ciudadanía (Colombian National ID) or valid passport","Registro Civil de Nacimiento (Birth Certificate)","Historia Laboral (Official work history from Colpensiones or AFP)","Poder Especial (Special Power of Attorney, apostilled, if filing through representative)","Bank account details for international payment","Apostille (Apostille de La Haya) on all foreign-issued documents","Certified Spanish translation of non-Spanish documents","Proof of residence abroad (if applicable)","Proof of life / Fé de Vida (supervivencia) certificate — from August 1, 2025, must be filed electronically via Colpensiones virtual portal (sede.colpensiones.gov.co)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Colpensiones electronic portal (sede.colpensiones.gov.co) is accessible from abroad for proof of life filing (mandatory from August 1, 2025), account management, Historia Laboral requests, and initial application steps. Full formal filing and document submission typically requires in-person presence in Colombia or a local representative with Power of Attorney. Private AFP portals (Porvenir, Protección, Colfondos, Skandia) also accessible online.","proof_of_life_notes":"Pensioners residing abroad must provide proof of life ('Fé de Vida' or 'supervivencia') every 6 months (per Article 22 of Decree Law 019 of 2012, as modified by Article 87 of Law 2136 of 2021). From August 1, 2025, Colpensiones notified all Colombian consulates that proof of life certificates must be filed directly by pensioners through the Colpensiones electronic portal (sede.colpensiones.gov.co) — no longer submitted via consulates. Failure to submit proof of life results in suspension of pension payments until the certificate is provided; the right to the pension is not lost.","international_contact":{"phone":"Colpensiones Dirección de Asuntos Internacionales; Email: [email protected]; Phone: +57-1-330-5000"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Spanish","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"RPM – Régimen de Prima Media (Average Premium Regime)","type":"state","description":"Public defined-benefit pay-as-you-go scheme managed by Colpensiones. Workers contribute to a common fund; pension is calculated by formula based on number of contributed weeks and average salary over the last 10 years (or full career if higher). Retirement age: 62 for men, 57 for women. Minimum 1,300 weeks of contributions required. Replacement rate formula: R = 65.50 – 0.50s (where s = number of minimum wages in contribution base), yielding 55%–80% of base settlement income. Provides a lifetime pension paid 13 times per year. Minimum pension equals the legal minimum wage (SMLMV). Late retirement is possible until minimum weeks are completed or replacement rate is maximized. If minimum weeks are not met at retirement age, an Indemnización Sustitutiva (lump-sum compensation based on weeks contributed and weighted average contribution percentages) is paid instead. Early retirement is generally not available, with exceptions for disability and for heads of household with dependent disabled children.","officialUrl":"https://www.colpensiones.gov.co","vestingYears":25,"vestingPeriod":"1,300 weeks (approx. 25 years) of contributions","contributionRateEmployee":"4%","contributionRateEmployer":"12%"},{"name":"RAIS – Régimen de Ahorro Individual con Solidaridad (Individual Savings with Solidarity)","type":"private","description":"Private defined-contribution individual savings scheme managed by licensed AFPs (Porvenir, Protección, Colfondos, Skandia). Each worker has an individual savings account. No minimum age or weeks requirement for pension; pension right is obtained when accumulated capital is sufficient to fund a monthly pension of at least 110% of the legal minimum wage. Pension options include lifetime annuity, programmed withdrawal, variable temporary annuity with deferred/immediate lifetime annuity, or programmed withdrawal without pension guarantee. If capital is insufficient at retirement age (62 men / 57 women), a Devolución de Saldos (balance refund including earnings) is paid. RAIS pension benefits are adjusted annually according to CPI. Minimum Pension Guarantee (GPM) requires 1,150 weeks of contributions and is funded by the Solidarity Fund. AFPs offer multi-fund options (multifondos) with different risk profiles.","officialUrl":"https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum weeks for pension; requires sufficient capital for pension ≥ 110% of minimum wage (or 1,150 weeks for Minimum Pension Guarantee)","contributionRateEmployee":"4%","contributionRateEmployer":"12%"},{"name":"Four-Pillar System – Law 2381 of 2024 (Suspended – Pending Constitutional Court Final Ruling)","type":"state","description":"Law 2381 of 2024, signed July 16, 2024, would replace the RPM/RAIS dual system with a four-pillar structure. The Colombian Constitutional Court suspended implementation on June 17, 2025, with 93 of its 95 articles inactive, due to a procedural legislative flaw ('vicio de trámite'). Congress attempted a corrective vote; the Constitutional Court is scheduled to resume its review on August 13, 2026, with substitute judge Carlos Pablo Márquez casting a tie-breaking vote. The law's final status remains pending. Additionally, the Council of State suspended Decree 415 of 2026 (which ordered AFP-to-Colpensiones asset transfers for Article 76 regime-transfer participants). Under the reform: all workers would contribute to Colpensiones (Average Premium Component) on earnings up to 2.3 SMLMV; earnings above 2.3 SMLMV (up to 25 SMLMV) would go to private ACCAI funds. The Article 76 regime-transfer window (allowing transfers until July 16, 2026 for workers with ≥750 weeks women / ≥900 weeks men within 10 years of retirement age) remains active despite the broader suspension. Solidarity Fund additional contributions would increase from 1–2% to 1.5–3% for incomes above 4 SMLMV under the reform.","officialUrl":"https://www.colpensiones.gov.co","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"1,300 weeks (men); women's requirement to be reduced gradually by 25 weeks/year from 2025 to 1,000 weeks by 2036 under reform (suspended)","contributionRateEmployee":"4%","contributionRateEmployer":"12%"}],"cross_border_notes":["No US–Colombia income tax treaty exists; double taxation on Colombian pension income for US persons must be managed via Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) or Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555). No US–Colombia totalization agreement exists; US self-employed expats in Colombia may face dual social security obligations.","The Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 2025) repealed the US Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), meaning US Social Security benefits are no longer reduced for those also receiving a Colombian pension.","Colombian pension income (RPM and RAIS) is exempt from Colombian income tax up to 1,000 UVT per month (COP 52,347,000/month for 2026, up from COP 49,799,000/month in 2025). Foreign pension income received by Colombian tax residents is also exempt up to the same 1,000 UVT threshold, as confirmed by DIAN under Law 2381 of 2024.","Colombia is a party to the Ibero-American Multilateral Agreement on Social Security (effective May 2011), allowing totalization of contribution periods with Spain, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic.","Andean Community (CAN) agreement (Decision 578, effective January 1, 2005) coordinates pension coverage among Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia.","Pacific Alliance agreement (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, effective February 2024) facilitates pension fund coordination.","Foreign employees already contributing to a pension system in their country of origin are exempt from mandatory Colombian pension contributions.","From August 1, 2025, Colpensiones requires pensioners abroad to file proof of life ('Fé de Vida') every 6 months directly through the Colpensiones electronic portal (sede.colpensiones.gov.co), no longer via Colombian consulates. Failure to submit results in temporary suspension of pension payments.","Law 2381 of 2024 (four-pillar reform) was signed July 16, 2024, but suspended by the Constitutional Court on June 17, 2025 (93 of 95 articles inactive) due to a procedural legislative flaw. The Constitutional Court is scheduled to resume its review on August 13, 2026. The current RPM/RAIS dual system remains in force. The Article 76 regime-transfer window (allowing transfers until July 16, 2026) remains active.","The Council of State suspended Decree 415 of 2026 (April 28 and May 11, 2026), which had ordered AFPs to transfer approximately COP 25 trillion in assets to Colpensiones for affiliates who exercised the Article 76 regime-transfer option. AFPs are not required to transfer resources until the Council of State issues a final decision.","Non-residents receiving Colombian-source income generally face a flat 35% Colombian income tax rate; non-resident labor compensation is subject to 20% withholding at source.","Colombian tax residents (183+ days in Colombia in any 365-day period) are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign pensions, subject to the 1,000 UVT monthly exemption for foreign pension income.","Colombia has approximately 15 active double taxation agreements (including Spain, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, South Korea, Czech Republic, Portugal, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, India, and Andean Community countries). A Colombia–Luxembourg DTA was approved by Luxembourg Parliament in April 2025 and may be in force from 2026. No US–Colombia income tax treaty exists.","Pension payments abroad are made in Colombian pesos (COP) at the TRM exchange rate on the day of transfer, via a Colombian bank with international payment agreements."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Establish which regime holds your contributions","detail":"Colombia runs two parallel systems. Contributions follow whichever you were affiliated to at the time, and people who switched have history in both."},{"n":2,"url":"https://sede.colpensiones.gov.co","title":"Request your historia laboral from Colpensiones","detail":"The labour history statement lists contribution weeks by employer. Colpensiones has an electronic office for requests and filings."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co","title":"Request statements from any private AFP you were with","detail":"The AFPs are supervised by the Superintendencia Financiera, which publishes the list and handles complaints."},{"n":4,"title":"Check your weeks against the eligibility threshold","detail":"The public regime requires a minimum number of contribution weeks as well as an age. Knowing the count early is what tells you whether continuing voluntarily is worth it."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statements","detail":"Keep both, and note that pensioners abroad must periodically file proof of life through the electronic office."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You are abroad and the process expects you in person","whatToDo":"A special power of attorney (poder especial) granted to a lawyer or trusted person in Colombia is the standard route. Colombian consulates can notarise it."},{"symptom":"Weeks are missing from your labour history","whatToDo":"Employer non-payment is common. Colpensiones has a correction procedure, and unpaid contributions can sometimes be pursued against the employer."},{"symptom":"You cannot remember which AFP you joined","whatToDo":"The Superintendencia Financiera can direct you, and Colpensiones' record usually shows the date you transferred out."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.colpensiones.gov.co","portalName":"Colpensiones","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Colombian identity document number (cédula), or the foreigner ID you used.","Which regime you were in: Colpensiones (the public average-premium regime) or a private AFP (the individual savings regime). Many people have been in both.","A representative in Colombia if you are abroad — formal filings very often require a power of attorney (poder especial)."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether Colpensiones' electronic office accepts a request from a user without a Colombian phone number.","documentNameLocal":"Historia laboral / estado de cuenta","documentNameEnglish":"Contribution history statement"}},{"country":"Cyprus","country_code":"CY","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":63,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":68,"pension_system_summary":"Cyprus operates a mandatory General Social Insurance Scheme (GSIS) under Social Insurance Law 59(I)/2010, providing earnings-related old-age, invalidity, and survivors' pensions on a PAYG basis, financed tripartitely by employees (8.8%), employers (8.8%), and the state (5.2%). The statutory retirement age is 65, with early retirement available at 63 subject to a permanent 12% actuarial reduction. The 2026 annual insurable earnings cap is €68,904 (up from €66,612 in 2025). A 13th monthly pension instalment is paid each December. From January 2026, the full basic pension is €529.82/month and the minimum pension is €450.35/month, following a 3.38% increase in the basic component.\n\nThe second pillar comprises the Government Employees Pension Scheme (GEPS — closed to new entrants since October 2011), occupational pension funds for semi-government bodies, and private-sector provident funds (defined contribution, lump-sum on exit). Provident funds are the dominant supplementary vehicle in the private sector, covering an estimated 22% of the workforce, with joint employee-employer contributions typically around 5–10% of earnings. The third pillar consists of voluntary private pension plans and individual savings products regulated under the IORP II Directive.\n\nA comprehensive pension reform of the first pillar is at an advanced stage. The government's draft bill was finalised in early August 2026 and sent to social partners (trade unions and employers) for consultation, with two Labour Advisory Board meetings scheduled for August 19 and 28. The bill is intended to be submitted to parliament by September 20, 2026, with the first measures targeted to come into force on January 1, 2027. Key proposals include redesigning the basic pension as a fixed per-month-of-registration amount (ranging from €1.1 at age 63 to €1.5 at age 67), raising minimum pensions, and reducing (but not abolishing) the 12% early-retirement penalty. The government has confirmed no increase in the statutory retirement age or contribution rates. The 2026 tax reform (in force from January 1, 2026) raised the foreign pension flat-rate threshold from €3,420 to €5,000, with a flat 5% applying on amounts above that threshold.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","name":"Social Insurance Services (Ministry of Labour)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.cy/en/service/statutory-pension-application/","name":"Apply for Statutory Pension — Gov.cy"},{"url":"https://www.gov.cy/mlsi/en/","name":"Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance — Gov.cy"},{"url":"http://www.treasury.gov.cy/Treasury/treasurynew.nsf/page18_en/page18_en","name":"Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus (GEPS Pensions)"},{"url":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/page92_en/page92_en","name":"Social Insurance Services — Bilateral Agreements"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/cy/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/cy","system_type":"Bismarckian (earnings-related, contributory PAYG)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: General Social Insurance Scheme (GSIS) — mandatory, PAYG, defined benefit; Pillar 2: GEPS (closed DB scheme for pre-2011 civil servants) + occupational provident/pension funds (DC, private sector); Pillar 3: Voluntary private pension plans and individual savings (IORPs, life insurer plans)","replacement_rate_gross":"~37–41% for average earner under current system (reform proposals target 64–66%)","min_qualifying_period":"780 weeks (15 years) of insurance contributions with at least 15 basic insurance points for full statutory pension","min_qualifying_partial":"520 weeks (13 years) of insurance contributions for partial pension","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA mechanism: EC Regulation 883/2004 — periods in Cyprus and all other EU/EEA member states (30 total), Switzerland, and the UK are fully aggregated for qualifying purposes. Pro-rata calculation: pension calculated based on all aggregated periods, with Cyprus paying its proportional share based on periods worked in Cyprus. Bilateral totalization: Additional bilateral agreements with Australia, Canada, Egypt, Serbia, Switzerland, Syria, and New Zealand provide further aggregation possibilities. Qualification periods: aggregated periods may count towards the minimum insurance period requirements. UK post-Brexit: UK–Cyprus bilateral social security agreement ensures pension rights are protected and UK NI contributions count toward Cyprus qualifying periods.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA Member States (30 countries via EC 883/2004)","Switzerland","United Kingdom","Australia","Canada","Egypt","Serbia","Syria","New Zealand"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Rates effective 1 January 2024 under Social Insurance Law 59(I)/2010 as amended. Total employee+employer+state rate: 22.8% (8.8% + 8.8% + 5.2%). Self-employed total: 21.8% (16.6% + 5.2% state). Voluntary contributors: 19.7% total (15% contributor + 4.7% state). The 8.8% rate applies for both employee and employer from 1 January 2024 for five years; thereafter rates increase every five years, reaching 10.3–10.7% (employees/employers) and 19.6–20.4% (self-employed) by 1 January 2039, subject to actuarial studies. 2026 annual insurable earnings cap: €68,904 (monthly: €5,742; weekly: €1,325) — up from €66,612 in 2025. Social Cohesion Fund: additional 2% employer on total emoluments (no cap). Redundancy Fund: 1.2% employer. Industrial Training Fund: 0.5% employer. GeSY (national health): 2.65% employee / 2.90% employer / 4.00% self-employed on earnings/pensions up to €180,000/year.","employee_pct":"8.8","employer_pct":"8.8","self_employed_pct":16.6},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"annual_cost":"19.7% of declared earnings (15% contributor + 4.7% state)","eligibility_conditions":"Available to formerly mandatorily insured persons who cease compulsory employment, provided they had paid contributions on insurable earnings not lower than the yearly amount of basic insurable earnings. Also available to Cypriot nationals employed abroad by non-Cypriot employers. Persons aged 63–65 not yet entitled to old-age pension may also continue voluntarily."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+0.5% per month for each month of deferral beyond age 65, up to age 68 (maximum +18% for 3 years deferral)","early_reduction":"-0.5% per month (-6% per year) before age 65; maximum permanent reduction of -12% for 2 years early (age 63). Under the 2026 pension reform bill (to be submitted to parliament September 2026, implementation targeted January 2027), the government proposes to reduce the impact of the 12% penalty; full abolition by 2030 remains under discussion but is not confirmed."},"access_options":{"notes":"GSIS statutory pension: monthly annuity only (no lump sum option); 13th instalment paid each December. Old-age lump sum: available at age 68 for those who do not qualify for statutory pension (15% of total insurable earnings). Provident funds (occupational DC): lump sum payment standard upon leaving employment or retirement — fully exempt from PIT under 2026 ITL. GEPS: provides both periodic pension and a lump-sum gratuity. Private pension plans: annuity or lump sum depending on plan rules. Lump sums from approved provident funds and retirement gratuities are fully exempt from personal income tax.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"EU/EEA portability rules apply under EC 883/2004. GSIS old-age and invalidity pensions are fully portable and payable abroad with or without reciprocal agreements. Provident fund lump sum payable upon departure from employer regardless of residency. Social pension not exportable if residence transferred abroad (payable for maximum 6 months after departure). Non-resident withholding: Cyprus does not impose withholding tax on pension payments to non-residents."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump sums received as retiring gratuity, commutation of pension, or compensation for death/injuries: fully exempt from Cyprus PIT. Capital sums from approved provident funds established in Cyprus or the EU: fully exempt from Cyprus PIT (confirmed and codified under 2026 ITL). Ex gratia termination lump sums (2026 reform, in force from 1 January 2026): €200,000 tax-free; excess taxed at flat 20% (increased from previous €20,000 threshold).","special_tax_regimes":"Foreign pension income (for services rendered outside Cyprus) received by Cyprus tax residents: first €5,000 exempt (raised from €3,420 by the 2026 tax reform, in force from 1 January 2026), remainder taxed at flat 5%. Taxpayer may elect annually to be taxed at normal progressive PIT rates instead if more favourable (2026 progressive bands: 0% up to €22,000; 20% on €22,001–€32,000; 25% on €32,001–€42,000; 30% on €42,001–€72,000; 35% above €72,000). Non-domiciled Cyprus tax residents are exempt from Special Defence Contribution (SDC) on dividends and interest for up to 17 years of residency (SDC on dividends reduced from 17% to 5% from 2026). GeSY (national health) contribution of 2.65% applies to pension income up to €180,000/year.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Cyprus maintains an extensive double tax treaty network (67+ treaties). Under most treaties (e.g. UK–Cyprus), private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence; government-service pensions are typically taxable in the source country. Treaty relief available via foreign tax credit up to Cyprus tax liability; unilateral relief available for non-treaty countries.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Cyprus social insurance pension is a foreign pension for US tax purposes. FBAR filing required if account balance exceeds $10,000. Form 8938 may apply. No US–Cyprus totalization agreement exists; US persons working in Cyprus may be subject to both US Social Security and Cyprus social insurance contributions simultaneously. Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) may be available to offset double taxation on pension income.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Government-service pensions (GEPS) are generally taxable in Cyprus (source country) under most DTTs. Private/social insurance pensions are typically taxable only in the country of residence under most DTTs. Under the UK–Cyprus DTA, UK government pensions (civil service, NHS, teachers, military, police) are taxable only in the UK; the UK State Pension is treated as a social-security pension and is taxable only in Cyprus.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0%"},"indexation":{"notes":"GSIS pensions are adjusted in January each year (and additionally in July if the change in cost of living is at least 1%) based on changes in wages and prices. Basic covered earnings are adjusted annually based on wage changes; supplementary pension covered earnings are adjusted annually based on price changes. From January 2026, the basic component increased 3.38% (full basic pension: €529.82/month; minimum: €450.35/month); no increase applied to the supplementary component due to low CPI in 2025. Social pension indexed annually to inflation (€429.15/month from January 2026, up from €415.13). Pensions are payable abroad and uprated regardless of country of residence, subject to applicable bilateral or EU coordination rules.","method":"Annual readjustment in January (and July if CPI change ≥1%) based on combined wage and price index changes; basic component indexed to wages, supplementary component indexed to prices","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU/EEA: Full portability under EC Regulation 883/2004 — periods aggregated, pro-rata pension paid by each member state. UK: Post-Brexit bilateral social security agreement preserves full portability and aggregation; UK State Pension is payable in Cyprus and uprated annually. Non-EU bilateral agreements (Australia, Canada, Egypt, Serbia, Switzerland, Syria, New Zealand): periods aggregated for qualifying purposes, pro-rata benefits paid. GSIS old-age and invalidity pensions payable abroad with or without reciprocal agreements. Provident fund lump sums portable upon departure. No transfer of accrued GSIS rights to another country's system (no cash transfer mechanism); rights preserved and paid as pension at retirement age."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply for statutory pension via the official gov.cy online portal (CY Login account required) or in person at Social Insurance Services district offices. Application must be submitted within 3 months before the pension start date. Processing takes 2–10 months depending on complexity. For international claims, contact the Social Insurance Services International Affairs unit or apply through the pension authority in your country of residence. The Treasury of the Republic handles payment of government employee pensions.","advance_timeline":"Apply up to 3 months before the intended pension start date","payment_frequency":"Monthly (13 payments per year — 12 monthly + 1 December instalment equal to 1/12 of annual pension)","required_documents":["Cyprus ID card or passport","Social Insurance number","Insurance record / contribution statement","Bank account details (IBAN)","Proof of residence (if applicable)","Marriage/birth certificates (for dependant supplements or survivors' benefits)","Contribution records from other countries (for international/aggregation claims)","Medical documentation (for invalidity pension)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"The gov.cy online portal (https://www.gov.cy/en/service/statutory-pension-application/) is accessible internationally with a CY Login account. New users must authenticate via online banking, video call, or in-person at Citizen Services. Social Insurance Services can also be contacted by email for statement requests and international queries. International Affairs unit: Prodromou 2 & Vyzantiou 8, Strovolos 2063, Nicosia; Phone: +357 22 008020; Call center: 1450.","proof_of_life_notes":"Proof of life may be requested periodically for overseas pension recipients to verify continued entitlement. Domestic recipients do not typically require proof of life. Frequency and format vary; contact Social Insurance Services International Affairs for requirements.","international_contact":{"phone":"Social Insurance Services International Affairs, Prodromou 2 & Vyzantiou 8, Strovolos 2063, Nicosia; Phone: +357 22 008020; Call center: 1450"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Greek (official); English accepted for international correspondence","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"General Social Insurance Scheme (GSIS) — Old-Age Pension","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related PAYG scheme covering all employed and self-employed persons in Cyprus. Provides a basic pension (60% of weekly average basic insurable earnings, increased to 80/90/100% for 1/2/3+ dependants) plus a supplementary pension (1.5% of total supplementary insurable earnings). A 13th monthly instalment is paid each December. Pension is payable from age 65 (or 63 with a permanent 12% actuarial reduction). Deferral up to age 68 earns +0.5% per month. Minimum qualifying period: 780 weeks (15 years) of insurance and at least 15 insurance points. Partial pension available with at least 520 weeks (13 years). Financed by employee (8.8%), employer (8.8%), and state (5.2%) contributions on insurable earnings capped at €68,904/year (2026). Full basic pension from January 2026: €529.82/month; minimum pension: €450.35/month.","officialUrl":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","vestingYears":13,"vestingPeriod":"520 weeks (13 years) for partial pension; 780 weeks (15 years) for full pension","contributionRateEmployee":"8.8%","contributionRateEmployer":"8.8%"},{"name":"Old-Age Lump Sum Payment","type":"state","description":"Payable at age 68 to persons who do not satisfy the insurance conditions for a statutory pension but have attained at least 6 actual basic insurance points and 312 weeks have elapsed since commencement of insurance. Amount equals 15% of total insurable earnings (actual and assimilated). Not payable if entitled to social pension.","officialUrl":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"312 weeks elapsed since commencement of insurance; minimum 6 basic insurance points","contributionRateEmployee":"8.8%","contributionRateEmployer":"8.8%"},{"name":"Invalidity Pension","type":"state","description":"Payable to insured persons with total (100%) loss of earning capacity who have been incapacitated for at least 156 days. Basic pension is 60% of weekly basic covered earnings; supplementary pension is 60% of average covered earnings exceeding basic covered earnings in the last two contribution years. Converts to old-age pension at standard retirement age if higher. Payable abroad with or without reciprocal agreements.","officialUrl":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","vestingYears":3,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 3 years of coverage; paid contributions on earnings of at least 156 times weekly basic covered earnings; paid or credited contributions in at least 25% of reference period","contributionRateEmployee":"8.8%","contributionRateEmployer":"8.8%"},{"name":"Survivors' Benefits (Spouse's and Orphan's Pension)","type":"state","description":"Spouse's pension: 60% of the deceased's basic pension plus 60% of the supplementary old-age or disability pension the deceased received or was entitled to. Ceases upon remarriage; remarriage settlement of one year's pension paid as lump sum. Orphan's pension payable for children up to age 15 (age 23/25 for full-time students). Payable abroad with or without reciprocal agreements.","officialUrl":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Deceased must have met insurance conditions for old-age or invalidity pension","contributionRateEmployee":"8.8%","contributionRateEmployer":"8.8%"},{"name":"Social Pension","type":"state","description":"Non-contributory, means-tested pension for persons aged 65+ who are legal residents of Cyprus for at least 20 years after age 40 (or 35 years after age 18) and who do not receive any other pension (including foreign pensions). Amount from January 2026: €429.15/month (up from €415.13 in 2025). Indexed annually. Not exportable if residence is transferred abroad (payable for up to 6 months after departure). Proposed for abolition under the 2026 pension reform, to be replaced by a redesigned basic pension.","officialUrl":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"20 years of residence in Cyprus after age 40, or 35 years after age 18","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Government Employees Pension Scheme (GEPS)","type":"occupational","description":"Defined benefit supplementary pension scheme for civil servants, teachers, police, and armed forces who entered public service before October 2011. Closed to new entrants since October 2011. Provides supplementary retirement and survivors' pensions plus a lump-sum gratuity. Statutory retirement age 65 for those born after 1952 (adjusted every 5 years from 2018 based on life expectancy). Earlier retirement available for teachers (from 62.5) and armed forces (from 55–57). Administered by the Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus. Financed primarily from general taxation with employee contributions for survivors' benefits.","officialUrl":"http://www.treasury.gov.cy/Treasury/treasurynew.nsf/page18_en/page18_en","vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 5 years of service","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Provident Funds (Occupational DC)","type":"occupational","description":"Defined contribution occupational pension schemes, the dominant supplementary vehicle in the private sector. Established by collective agreements between employers and employees. Provide lump-sum payments on retirement, end of employment, permanent disability, or death. Regulated under the Provident Fund Law (1981–1995) and IORP II Directive (transposed 2020). Approximately 22% of the workforce is covered. Contributions from both employer and employee; joint contributions typically 5–10% of earnings. Lump-sum benefits are fully exempt from personal income tax under the 2026 tax reform (confirmed and codified). Income derived from contributions to approved provident funds established in Cyprus or the EU is confirmed as exempt income under the 2026 ITL amendments.","officialUrl":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/index_en/index_en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by fund rules; typically immediate vesting or short service period","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies (typically 2.5–5% of earnings)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies (typically 2.5–5% of earnings)"},{"name":"Private Pension Plans (Pillar 3)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual and group pension plans offered by life insurers and multi-employer IORPs under the IORP II Directive. Contributions up to 10% of salary are tax-deductible. Benefits may be taken as annuity or lump sum depending on plan rules. Income derived pursuant to approved insurance contracts providing pension payments is confirmed as exempt income under the 2026 ITL. Portable European Pension Products (PEPP) under discussion for introduction to improve flexibility for mobile workers.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by plan","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary (up to 10% of salary for tax deduction)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary"}],"cross_border_notes":["EC Regulation 883/2004: full aggregation of insurance periods across all EU/EEA member states; pro-rata pension calculation applies","Post-Brexit UK–Cyprus bilateral social security agreement: UK NI contributions count toward Cyprus qualifying periods and vice versa; UK State Pension is payable in Cyprus and uprated annually","Bilateral totalization agreements with Australia, Canada, Egypt, Serbia, Switzerland, Syria, and New Zealand provide additional aggregation possibilities","No US–Cyprus totalization agreement: US persons working in Cyprus may face dual social security contributions; Foreign Tax Credit may partially offset","Social pension is not exportable if residence is transferred abroad (maximum 6 months of payment after departure)","GSIS old-age and invalidity pensions are fully portable and payable abroad with or without reciprocal agreements","Cyprus 2026 tax reform (in force 1 January 2026): foreign pension flat-rate regime updated — 5% flat tax on foreign pension income exceeding €5,000/year (previously €3,420 threshold); annual election between flat rate and progressive rates retained","2026 progressive PIT bands: 0% up to €22,000; 20% on €22,001–€32,000; 25% on €32,001–€42,000; 30% on €42,001–€72,000; 35% above €72,000","Provident fund lump sums are fully exempt from Cyprus PIT (confirmed under 2026 ITL) and payable upon departure from employer regardless of residency","Pension reform first-pillar bill to be submitted to parliament by September 20, 2026; implementation targeted January 1, 2027; reform includes redesigned basic pension, reduction of 12% early-retirement penalty, and minimum pension increases — no increase in retirement age or contribution rates","GeSY (national health system) contribution of 2.65% applies to pension income received in Cyprus, capped at €180,000/year","Non-domiciled Cyprus tax residents are exempt from Special Defence Contribution on passive income for up to 17 years of residency; SDC on dividends reduced from 17% to 5% from 2026","Ex gratia termination lump sums: €200,000 tax-free from 2026 (up from €20,000); excess taxed at flat 20%","Under UK–Cyprus DTA: UK government-service pensions taxable only in UK; UK State Pension (social security pension) taxable only in Cyprus and eligible for 5% flat-rate election"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.gov.cy/mlsi/en/","title":"Create or sign in to CY Login","detail":"CY Login is the government's single identity for gov.cy services, including the pension and social insurance forms."},{"n":2,"title":"Request your contribution statement","detail":"The statement lists your insured weeks and the insurance points behind them — Cyprus counts contribution weeks, so a short stint still shows up and can still matter for totalisation."},{"n":3,"title":"Check the basic and supplementary parts separately","detail":"The Cypriot scheme has a basic insurance component and an earnings-related supplementary one. They are recorded separately, and a statement that looks light may simply be showing one of them."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/sid/sidv2.nsf/page92_en/page92_en","title":"Ask International Affairs if you are abroad","detail":"The Social Insurance Services' International Affairs unit handles records for people living outside Cyprus and is the right first contact if the online route stalls."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF or the posted copy. If you also worked elsewhere in the EU, this is the document the other country's authority will want when periods are aggregated."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"CY Login cannot verify you from abroad","whatToDo":"Registration may require a Cypriot ID document. District Social Insurance offices accept written requests for a contribution statement, and the International Affairs unit can act for residents abroad."},{"symptom":"You worked in Cyprus before joining an EU scheme elsewhere","whatToDo":"You do not need to claim in Cyprus separately — an application in your country of residence triggers the EU coordination process. Ask for the Cypriot record anyway, so you can check what was passed on."},{"symptom":"The statement is in Greek only","whatToDo":"The insured-weeks columns are readable without Greek, and the Social Insurance Services correspond in English on request. Do not translate figures yourself for an official claim."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.gov.cy/mlsi/en/","portalName":"Social Insurance Services (gov.cy)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Cyprus social insurance number, on any Cypriot payslip or correspondence from the Social Insurance Services.","A CY Login account, which is what the gov.cy services authenticate against.","Your Cypriot employers and the years you worked for them."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the contribution statement can be downloaded directly from gov.cy or is issued by the district office on request.","documentNameLocal":"Κατάσταση Ασφαλιστικού Λογαριασμού","documentNameEnglish":"Social insurance contribution statement"}},{"country":"Czech Republic","country_code":"CZ","continent":"europe","currency":"Czech Koruna (CZK)","retirement_age_early":62,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":67,"pension_system_summary":"The Czech Republic operates a two-pillar pension system: a mandatory, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) defined-benefit public scheme (Pillar 1) and a voluntary, privately managed defined-contribution supplementary savings framework (Pillar 3). The former second pillar was abolished in 2016. The mandatory Pillar 1 is administered by the Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ/CSSA) and covers all economically active persons — employees and the self-employed — providing old-age, disability, survivor, widow/widower, and orphan pensions. Benefits consist of a flat-rate basic component (10% of the legislated average wage; CZK 4,660/month in 2025, rising to CZK 4,900/month in 2026) plus an earnings-related component calculated via a progressive formula. The system is financed by contributions from employees (6.5% of gross wages for pension insurance) and employers (21.5% of gross wages for pension insurance), with the state covering any shortfall from the general budget.\n\nThe Czech pension system has undergone significant reforms in recent years. A major reform package signed into law in December 2024 raised the long-term retirement age ceiling to 67 (to be reached in 2056 for those born in 1989 and later), tightened early retirement conditions (maximum 3 years early, requiring 40 years of contributions), and gradually reduces the benefit accrual rate from 1.5% to 1.45% per year of service and the first-threshold earnings credit from 100% to 90% — both phased in between 2026 and 2035. From 2025, working pensioners receive a 6.5% social insurance contribution discount instead of a pension increase for continued work. From January 2026, mandatory employer contributions (4% of assessment base) to retirement savings products were introduced for employees in high-risk (Category 3) jobs, and the minimum pension was significantly increased and linked to the average wage. From January 2027, married/registered couples may optionally use a joint assessment base for pension calculation purposes.\n\nThe voluntary Pillar 3 consists of Supplementary Pension Savings (DPS — Doplňkové penzijní spoření), introduced in 2013, and the newer Long-Term Investment Product (DIP), introduced in 2024. Both are incentivised through state contributions (up to CZK 340/month for DPS) and tax deductions (up to CZK 48,000/year combined). The older Supplementary Pension Insurance (transformed funds, pre-2013) remains open to existing participants but is closed to new entrants. As of Q3 2025, a total of 3,902,756 participants saved and invested in pension companies, with assets amounting to CZK 644.177 billion. There is no occupational (employer-sponsored) pension pillar in the Czech Republic.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en","name":"ČSSZ ePortal (Czech Social Security Administration — English)"},{"url":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/","name":"ČSSZ Official Website (English)"},{"url":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en/-/services/online-pension-application","name":"Online Pension Application Service"},{"url":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en/-/services/overview-of-the-informative-personal-record-of-pension-insurance","name":"Informative Personal Record (Overview of Pension Insurance Periods)"},{"url":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en/-/forms/zzvdmu","name":"Payment Setup for Non-Residents (Foreign Bank Account Form)"},{"url":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/-/changes-to-the-payment-of-pensions-abroad","name":"Changes to Pension Payments Abroad from 2026 — ČSSZ"},{"url":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/vyplata-davky-do-zahranici","name":"Payment of Benefits Abroad — ČSSZ"},{"url":"https://objednani.cssz.cz/","name":"Online Appointment System (ČSSZ)"},{"url":"https://portal.gov.cz/en/sluzby-vs/","name":"Czech Government Public Administration Portal (gov.cz — English)"},{"url":"https://www.mfcr.cz/en/eu-and-international-affairs/double-tax-agreements","name":"Ministry of Finance — Double Tax Agreements List"},{"url":"https://www.mpsv.cz/penzijni-pojisteni","name":"Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs — Pension Insurance"},{"url":"https://csu.gov.cz/pensions","name":"Czech Statistical Office — Pension Statistics"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/cz/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/cz","system_type":"Bismarckian (earnings-related, contributory PAYG) with voluntary DC supplementary savings","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1 (Mandatory, Public): Defined-benefit PAYG scheme covering old-age, disability, survivor, widow/widower, and orphan pensions. Two components: flat-rate basic amount (10% of legislated average wage; CZK 4,660/month in 2025, CZK 4,900/month in 2026) plus earnings-related percentage (1.5% per year of service, reducing to 1.45% by 2035). Progressive benefit formula with income thresholds. Administered by ČSSZ. Pillar 2: Abolished 2016; no occupational pension pillar exists. Pillar 3 (Voluntary): Supplementary Pension Savings (DPS, DC, open since 2013) and Long-Term Investment Product (DIP, introduced 2024), both with state contributions and tax incentives. Legacy Supplementary Pension Insurance (transformed funds, pre-2013) still active for existing participants but closed to new entrants. From January 2026, employers of Category 3 risk workers are mandatorily required to contribute 4% of the social security assessment base to employees' DPS or legacy pension insurance (not DIP).","replacement_rate_gross":"~44.2% (average earner, mandatory public scheme only, OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, projected at retirement age 67 in 2069; declining gradually due to 2024 reform phased in 2026–2035)","min_qualifying_period":"35 years of pension insurance (including credited non-contributory periods such as childcare for children under 4, unemployment benefits, military service, study periods credited up to age 18/26, doctoral studies from 2026, political imprisonment under communist regime). Alternative: 20 years of insurance at a higher age threshold; or 30 years of contributory periods only (without non-contributory substitute periods).","min_qualifying_partial":"1 year of Czech insurance (for EU/EEA/agreement-state workers, periods from other countries are aggregated to meet the 35-year threshold; Czech pension is then calculated pro-rata based on Czech-only periods)","aggregation_rules":"Under EU Regulation 883/2004, insurance periods from all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland are aggregated to determine eligibility. Czech pension is then calculated as a theoretical full pension multiplied by the ratio of Czech insurance periods to total aggregated periods (pro-rata method). For non-EU countries, aggregation applies only where a bilateral social security agreement exists. Non-contributory periods (e.g., childcare, unemployment) credited in the Czech system do not apply to other countries' calculations. Minimum 1 year of Czech insurance required for a partial Czech pension in multi-country careers.","totalization_partners":["All EU Member States (via EU Regulation 883/2004)","EEA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway","Switzerland","United Kingdom","United States","Canada","Australia","Japan","South Korea","India","Ukraine","Serbia","Montenegro","Bosnia and Herzegovina","North Macedonia","Turkey","Israel","Tunisia","Morocco","Uruguay","Brazil (from 1 November 2024)","Russia","Belarus","Moldova","Georgia","Armenia","Azerbaijan","Kazakhstan","Kyrgyzstan","Tajikistan","Turkmenistan","Uzbekistan","Vietnam","Mongolia","Cuba","Syria","Libya","Yugoslavia (successor states)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"The pension-specific contribution rate is 28% of gross wages (employee 6.5% + employer 21.5%). Total social insurance (including sickness and unemployment) is 7.1% employee + 24.8% employer. Maximum annual assessment base for social security in 2025: CZK 2,234,736 (48× average monthly salary). Health insurance (4.5% employee + 9% employer) is uncapped. From 2025, working pensioners (employees receiving full old-age pension) receive a 6.5% discount on their social insurance contribution, paying only 0.6% (sickness only); employer rate unchanged at 24.8%. For high-risk (Category 3) employers, the pension contribution rate may be up to 25.5% (employer) from 2026 due to the additional mandatory 4% contribution to DPS/legacy pension insurance. From January 2027, married/registered couples may optionally use a joint assessment base for pension calculation.","employee_pct":"7.1% total social insurance (6.5% pension + 0.6% sickness); plus 4.5% health insurance = 11.6% total","employer_pct":"24.8% total social insurance (21.5% pension + 2.1% sickness + 1.2% unemployment); plus 9% health insurance = 33.8% total. For Category 3 risk employers: additional mandatory 4% of social security assessment base to DPS/legacy pension insurance from January 2026.","self_employed_pct":"29.2% of assessment base for social insurance (pension + state employment policy); assessment base is 55% of profit (minimum 30% of economy-wide average wage). Minimum advance payment applies. 6.5% reduction available for self-employed receiving old-age pension from 2025."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"DPS/DIP contributions can be made at any time during the year; tax deduction claimed in annual tax return (deadline 1 April for paper returns, 1 May electronically, or 1 July if filed by a tax advisor).","available":true,"annual_cost":"Voluntary pension insurance for persons abroad: contribution rate set individually; minimum contributions apply. For DPS/DIP: minimum CZK 500/month (CZK 6,000/year) for state contribution eligibility; maximum tax-deductible amount CZK 48,000/year (combined DPS + DIP).","benefit_per_year":"State contribution for DPS: CZK 100–340/month (CZK 1,200–4,080/year) depending on own contribution level (minimum CZK 500/month earns CZK 100; CZK 1,700+/month earns maximum CZK 340). Tax deduction on DPS/DIP contributions above CZK 1,700/month saves up to CZK 7,200/year in income tax (at 15% rate on CZK 48,000 deductible amount). Individuals already receiving old-age pension are not eligible for state contributions.","eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary pension insurance (Dobrovolné pojištění): available to Czech citizens and permanent residents living abroad who are not compulsorily insured in another country. DPS/DIP: open to anyone with Czech or EU/EEA residence who participates in Czech health or pension insurance; foreign nationals with Czech work permit or self-employment also eligible. State contributions for DPS require permanent or long-term Czech/EU residence and participation in Czech social/health insurance. Individuals already receiving old-age pension are not eligible for DPS state contributions."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"From 2025, the previous system of permanent pension increases for continued work after pension age was abolished. Instead, working pensioners receive a 6.5% social insurance contribution discount (employees and self-employed who have reached retirement age and are entitled to full old-age pension). Prior to 2025: pension increased by 1.5% of calculation base per 90 days of continued gainful activity without drawing pension (or 0.4% per 360 days if drawing full pension simultaneously). Deferring pension claim beyond standard retirement age still increases the total accrual factor by 1.5% per 90-day period of deferral (6% per year).","early_reduction":"1.5% of earnings-related component per each commenced 90-day period before standard retirement age (equivalent to ~6% per year). From 2026, reduced to 0.75% per 90 days (~3% per year) for workers with 45+ years of contributions. No reduction applies to the flat-rate basic component. Workers in arduous/hazardous jobs (Category 3+) with 10+ years (2,200 shifts) in such work may retire 15 months early without penalty; 30 months early with 20+ years (4,400 shifts)."},"access_options":{"notes":"Pillar 1 (state pension) is paid exclusively as a monthly annuity; no lump-sum option exists. Pillar 3 (DPS/DIP): lump-sum withdrawal is available after 10 years of participation and age 60, or as a periodic pension. Early withdrawal from DPS before conditions are met results in loss of state contributions and potential tax penalties. DIP early exit requires repayment of tax deductions for up to 10 years. Supplementary pension savings (DPS) can be withdrawn as a lump sum or as a series of payments (old-age pension for a defined period, pre-retirement pension, etc.). Category 3 risk workers may access DPS pre-retirement pension after only 5 years of participation (not 10).","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Pillar 1 contributions cannot be refunded or transferred to another country's system upon departure. Czech pension entitlements are preserved and paid abroad when retirement age is reached, subject to proof-of-life requirements. For EU/EEA/Switzerland/agreement-state workers, periods are aggregated and a pro-rata Czech pension is paid. Pillar 3 (DPS/DIP) accounts can be maintained and withdrawn from abroad after meeting age (60) and duration (10 years) conditions."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Pillar 1 does not offer lump sums. Pillar 3 (DPS) lump-sum withdrawals after meeting conditions (age 60, 10 years) are subject to income tax on the investment gains portion. Early withdrawals trigger loss of state contributions and tax penalties. DIP early exit requires repayment of tax deductions for up to 10 years.","special_tax_regimes":"Pension funds (pension companies managing DPS) are subject to 0% corporate income tax rate. Employer contributions to DPS/DIP are tax-deductible for the employer and exempt from employee income tax and social/health contributions up to CZK 50,000/year per employee. From January 2026, mandatory employer contributions for Category 3 risk workers (4% of social security assessment base) are also tax-deductible and count towards the CZK 50,000 annual limit exempt from tax and insurance contributions for the employee.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; Czech Republic has 99 double taxation treaties in force. Under most treaties, private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence. Government/public service pensions may be taxable in the source country (Czech Republic). The US-Czech Republic treaty covers pensions and similar remuneration from past employment.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Czech state pension (Pillar 1) is generally reportable as foreign pension income on US tax returns. The US-Czech Republic totalization agreement (in force since 2009) prevents dual social security taxation. The US-Czech Republic income tax treaty provides relief from double taxation on pension income. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to Czech Pillar 3 (DPS/DIP) accounts held abroad.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Pillar 1 (mandatory state) pensions paid to Czech tax residents are exempt from personal income tax up to CZK 680,400/year (per OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); the 2026 Tax Guideline (Accace) indicates the exemption threshold for 2026 is CZK 806,400/year; amounts above the applicable threshold are taxed at 15%. Recipients of pensions do not pay social security contributions on pension income. For non-residents, the standard withholding rate is 15% (or 35% for non-treaty countries), subject to applicable double taxation treaty provisions. Pillar 3 (DPS/DIP) benefits: lump-sum payments and periodic pensions are generally subject to income tax on the gains portion; employer contributions previously received are taxed if early exit occurs.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"15% (standard withholding tax rate for residents of EU/EEA, bilateral DTT countries, or countries with tax information exchange agreements with Czech Republic). 35% applies to residents of non-treaty, non-EU/EEA countries."},"indexation":{"notes":"Czech pensions paid abroad are subject to the same indexation (valorizace) as domestic pensions. Annual indexation (effective January 1 each year) is based on pensioner-specific price inflation plus one-third of real wage growth (changed from one-half by the 2023 reform, effective from the 2024 indexation round). An extraordinary inflation-triggered indexation may also apply if consumer prices rise significantly. The 2024 reform further tightened indexation rules to slow the growth of new pensions between 2026 and 2035. From 2026, minimum pension levels are directly linked to the average wage, ensuring automatic annual increases as wages grow.","method":"Pensioner cost-of-living price inflation + 1/3 × real wage growth (valorizace); extraordinary indexation possible if inflation exceeds threshold. Minimum pension linked to average wage from 2026.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Pillar 1 (state pension) contributions cannot be transferred or refunded upon departure from the Czech Republic. Czech pension entitlements are fully portable: the pension is paid abroad in freely convertible currency to a foreign bank account (bank cheque option discontinued from January 2026). For EU/EEA/Switzerland workers, EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates periods and ensures pro-rata pension payment. For non-EU countries, portability depends on bilateral social security agreements. Special transfer option exists for EU institution officials: Czech Pillar 1 pension rights can be transferred to the EU pension scheme (and vice versa) if no Czech pension has yet been granted. Pillar 3 (DPS/DIP) accounts can be maintained and accessed from abroad after meeting age (60) and duration (10 years) conditions; no cross-border transfer of DPS/DIP to foreign pension schemes is available."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Applications for Czech old-age pension can be submitted up to 4 months before the desired pension start date, or retrospectively within 5 years. Applications can be filed: (1) in person at any district social security administration (OSSZ) or ČSSZ branch; (2) online via the ČSSZ ePortal (eportal.cssz.cz) using electronic identification (data box, bank identity, or Citizen ID); (3) by post with officially certified signature. For applicants with international insurance periods (EU/EEA or bilateral agreement countries), an appointment must be booked via the online system (objednani.cssz.cz) for 'application for a pension with an international element'. ČSSZ contacts foreign institutions directly to verify foreign insurance periods. Processing deadline is 90 days from submission (may be extended for international cases). Once approved, pension is paid monthly by bank transfer to a Czech or foreign bank account. From January 2026, bank cheque payment option is discontinued; all payments are by bank transfer only.","advance_timeline":"Up to 4 months before desired pension start date","payment_frequency":"Monthly, by direct bank transfer to designated foreign or Czech bank account. From January 2026, bank cheque payment option discontinued. EU/EEA/agreement-state residents receive automatic monthly payments with Certificate of Living required only twice yearly (June and December). Slovakia residents: no Certificate of Living required from 2026.","required_documents":["Valid passport or national ID document","Birth certificate","Proof of current residence abroad (lease, utility bill, or residency certificate from municipal authority)","Comprehensive employment history with dates, employers, and countries worked","Employment contracts and employer confirmations (proofs of gainful activity)","Certificates or documentation proving periods of social security insurance in other countries (if available; ČSSZ will request from foreign institutions directly)","Marriage/divorce/birth certificates (for family pensions such as survivor, widow/widower, or orphan)","Medical documentation (for disability pensions)","Bank account details for pension payment (IBAN of foreign or Czech bank account)","Personal records for pension insurance from last employment","Proofs of study in Czech Republic (if applicable)","Documents proving childcare periods (birth certificates of children, if applicable)","For EU/EEA citizens: Certificate of coverage or insurance record from other EU/EEA social security institutions (if available)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"ČSSZ ePortal (eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en) fully accessible from abroad with English-language interface. Login via Citizen ID, data box, bank identity, or International ID Gateway. Functions include: viewing pension status and insurance record, updating bank details, requesting informative personal record (overview of pension insurance periods), submitting online pension applications, and accessing Certificate of Living forms in multiple languages. Online appointment booking at objednani.cssz.cz.","proof_of_life_notes":"From 1 January 2026, significantly simplified for EU/EEA/agreement-state residents (including UK, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland): Certificate of Living (Potvrzení o žití) required only twice per year — in June and December. Pensions paid automatically monthly without prior confirmation. Slovakia residents: no Certificate of Living required from 2026 (bilateral electronic data exchange agreement). Non-agreement state residents: no change — must still submit Certificate of Living at self-chosen intervals; pension paid retroactively only after receipt. Certificate must bear officially verified handwritten signature (by local authority, notary, police, Czech embassy, etc.) and can be submitted by post, email with qualified electronic signature, or via data box. If a pensioner fails to send the Certificate of Living by the required deadline, ČSSZ will suspend payment from the following month until the certificate is received.","international_contact":{"email":"posta@cssz.cz","postal_address":"Česká správa sociálního zabezpečení, Křížová 1292/25, 225 08 Praha 5 (Smíchov), Czech Republic"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Czech (primary); ČSSZ ePortal and key forms available in English, German, Slovak, and other languages. International correspondence accepted.","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Old-Age Pension (Starobní důchod)","type":"state","description":"The main mandatory public pension for persons who have reached statutory retirement age (currently ~64 years 2 months for those retiring now, rising to 65 by 2030 and 67 by 2056 for those born in 1989 and later) and completed the required insurance period (35 years, or 20 years at a higher age threshold, or 30 years without non-contributory periods). Consists of a flat-rate basic component (CZK 4,660/month in 2025; CZK 4,900/month in 2026) plus an earnings-related percentage component (1.5% of calculation base per year of insurance, reducing to 1.45% by 2035; first threshold credit reducing from 100% to 90% by 2035). A CZK 500/month top-up per raised child applies (CZK 503 in 2025, CZK 500 from 2026; being phased out for first two children between 2027–2030 and replaced by credited earnings). Administered by ČSSZ. Average full old-age pension reached CZK 21,175/month at end of 2025.","officialUrl":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/starobni-duchod","vestingYears":35,"vestingPeriod":"35 years (or 20 years at higher age threshold; or 30 years of contributory periods only)","contributionRateEmployee":"6.5%","contributionRateEmployer":"21.5%"},{"name":"Early Old-Age Pension (Předčasný starobní důchod)","type":"state","description":"Available up to 3 years before statutory retirement age (reduced from 5 years as of 1 November 2024), subject to at least 40 years of contribution period. Pension is permanently reduced by 1.5% of the earnings-related component per each commenced 90-day period before standard retirement age (~6% per year). From 2026, the penalty is halved to 0.75% per 90 days (~3% per year) for those with 45+ years of contributions. Workers in arduous/hazardous jobs (Category 3+) with 10+ years (2,200 shifts) in such work may retire 15 months early without penalty; 30 months early with 20+ years (4,400 shifts). Category 3 workers are no longer required to have 10 years of DPS savings to qualify for pre-retirement pension; those with contracts before 2024 need only 5 years of DPS participation.","officialUrl":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/predcasny-starobni-duchod","vestingYears":40,"vestingPeriod":"40 years minimum for early retirement","contributionRateEmployee":"6.5%","contributionRateEmployer":"21.5%"},{"name":"Disability Pension (Invalidní důchod)","type":"state","description":"Three-tier disability pension for persons unable to work due to long-term health reasons. Degree 1: working capacity reduced by 35–49%; Degree 2: reduced by 50–69%; Degree 3: reduced by 70%+. Eligibility requires a minimum insurance period depending on age (e.g., at least 5 years within the last 10 years for persons over 28). Converted to old-age pension at statutory retirement age. Cannot be received simultaneously with old-age pension. Minimum disability pension for 2026: Degree 3 — CZK 9,800/month; Degree 2 — CZK 7,350/month; Degree 1 — CZK 6,534/month.","officialUrl":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/invalidni-duchod","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Variable by age; typically 5 years within last 10 years for persons over 28","contributionRateEmployee":"6.5%","contributionRateEmployer":"21.5%"},{"name":"Survivor's Pension — Widow/Widower (Vdovský/vdovecký důchod)","type":"state","description":"Paid to surviving spouse for one year after the death of the insured person. May continue beyond one year if the survivor meets specific conditions (e.g., caring for a dependent child, disability, age 55+/58+ depending on gender, or raising at least 3 children). Amount is 50% of the deceased's old-age or third-degree disability pension. From 2025, the period for reinstating entitlement to a widow's pension was extended from 2 to 5 years. Minimum widow/widower pension for 2026: CZK 7,350/month.","officialUrl":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/vdovsky-vdovecky-duchod","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Orphan's Pension (Sirotčí důchod)","type":"state","description":"Paid to children (up to age 26 if studying) whose parent or adoptive parent has died and who met the insurance period conditions for old-age or disability pension. Amount is 40% of the deceased's old-age or third-degree disability pension. Minimum orphan's pension for 2026: CZK 6,860/month.","officialUrl":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/sirotci-duchod","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Supplementary Pension Savings (Doplňkové penzijní spoření — DPS)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary DC third-pillar scheme introduced in 2013, replacing the older Supplementary Pension Insurance (transformed funds). Offered by licensed pension companies regulated by the Czech National Bank (CNB). As of Q3 2025, 2,131,090 participants invested in participant funds with CZK 288.489 billion in managed assets. Participants receive state contributions (CZK 100–340/month depending on own contribution level; minimum own contribution CZK 500/month for state support; maximum state contribution CZK 340/month for contributions of CZK 1,700+/month). Tax deduction available on contributions above CZK 1,700/month (up to CZK 48,000/year combined with DIP). Employer contributions are tax-advantaged up to CZK 50,000/year. Benefits accessible from age 60 after minimum 120 months (10 years) of participation. From January 2026, employers of Category 3 risk workers are mandatorily required to contribute 4% of the social security assessment base to DPS (or legacy pension insurance) if the employee requests it. Category 3 workers need only 5 years of DPS participation (not 10) to qualify for pre-retirement pension. DPS account can be maintained and withdrawn from even after leaving the Czech Republic. Individuals already receiving old-age pension are not eligible for state contributions.","officialUrl":"https://www.mpsv.cz/penzijni-pripojisteni","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"120 months (10 years) minimum for standard benefit access from age 60; 5 years for Category 3 risk workers","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; minimum CZK 500/month for state contribution eligibility","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary (mandatory 4% of social security assessment base for Category 3 risk workers from January 2026, if employee requests)"},{"name":"Long-Term Investment Product (Dlouhodobý investiční produkt — DIP)","type":"private","description":"Tax-advantaged voluntary retirement savings framework introduced in 2024. Not a single product but a regulatory framework allowing investment in mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and bonds through licensed banks, securities dealers, and investment companies. Offers tax deduction up to CZK 48,000/year (shared with DPS). Employer contributions are tax-advantaged up to CZK 50,000/year combined with DPS. More flexible investment options than DPS but no state contribution. Minimum holding period 10 years; accessible from age 60. Early exit requires repayment of tax deductions and retroactive taxation of employer contributions for up to 10 years. Note: DIP is not a retirement savings product under Act No. 324/2025 Coll., so mandatory employer contributions for Category 3 workers cannot be directed to DIP.","officialUrl":"https://www.mfcr.cz/cs/soukromy-sektor/kapitalovy-trh/dlouhodoby-investicni-produkt","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years minimum; accessible from age 60","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; no minimum","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; tax-advantaged up to CZK 50,000/year combined with DPS"},{"name":"Supplementary Pension Insurance — Transformed Funds (Penzijní připojištění)","type":"private","description":"Legacy DC scheme created in 1994, closed to new entrants since 2013. Approximately 1.77 million participants remain in transformed funds (as of Q3 2025, with DPS now overtaking in both participants and assets). Participants may transfer to DPS. Offers capital guarantee (no negative returns). State contributions apply under same rules as DPS. Still valid for existing participants under pre-2013 agreements. Mandatory employer contributions for Category 3 risk workers (from January 2026) can be directed to this product.","officialUrl":"https://www.mpsv.cz/penzijni-pripojisteni","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Closed to new entrants since 2013","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary (existing participants only)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary (mandatory for Category 3 risk workers from January 2026, if employee requests)"}],"cross_border_notes":["Czech Republic has 99 double taxation treaties (DTTs) in force and bilateral social security agreements with all EU/EEA states, Switzerland, the UK, the US, and numerous non-EU countries including Brazil (from November 2024).","Pillar 1 contributions cannot be refunded or transferred to another country's pension system upon departure; entitlements are preserved and paid as a pro-rata pension at retirement age.","For EU/EEA/Switzerland workers, EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates insurance periods; Czech pension is calculated pro-rata based on Czech-only periods against total aggregated career.","Non-EU/non-agreement-state workers must meet Czech minimum insurance period (35 years) solely from Czech contributions to qualify for a Czech pension; foreign periods from non-agreement countries are not counted.","From 1 January 2026, pension payment abroad is exclusively by bank transfer (bank cheque discontinued); EU/agreement-state residents receive automatic monthly payments with Certificate of Living required only twice yearly (June and December).","Slovakia residents: no Certificate of Living required from 2026 due to bilateral electronic data exchange agreement on deaths.","Non-agreement-state residents must continue to submit Certificate of Living at self-chosen intervals; pension paid retroactively only after receipt.","ČSSZ withholds applicable withholding tax (15% standard, 35% for non-treaty/non-EU countries) before transferring pension to foreign account, unless a DTT provides for exclusive residence-country taxation.","Under the US-Czech Republic totalization agreement (in force since 2009), workers are covered by only one country's social security system at a time, preventing dual contributions.","Under the US-Czech Republic income tax treaty, private pensions are generally taxable only in the country of residence; government service pensions may be taxable in the source country.","Pillar 3 (DPS/DIP) accounts can be maintained and withdrawn from abroad after meeting age (60) and duration (10 years) conditions, making them useful for globally mobile workers.","Women born before 1966 may have a lower retirement age depending on number of children raised (1–4 years earlier); this provision is being phased out and will disappear by 2037.","Workers in arduous/hazardous jobs (Category 3+) with 10+ years (2,200 shifts) in such work may retire 15 months early without penalty under the 2024 reform; 30 months early with 20+ years (4,400 shifts).","From January 2026, employers of Category 3 risk workers are mandatorily required to contribute 4% of the social security assessment base to employees' DPS or legacy pension insurance (not DIP) if the employee requests it.","Category 3 risk workers need only 5 years of DPS participation (not 10) to qualify for pre-retirement pension access.","From January 2027, married/registered couples may optionally use a joint assessment base for pension calculation, which may affect future pension entitlements for internationally mobile couples.","The 2024 reform gradually reduces the gross replacement rate from ~49% toward ~44% for average earners by 2069 (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025), as the accrual rate and first-threshold credit are phased down between 2026 and 2035.","From 2026, doctoral studies (first year of full-time doctoral programme completed after 31 December 2009) are recognised as substitute insurance periods, credited at 80% toward pension eligibility."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en","title":"Open the ČSSZ ePortal","detail":"ČSSZ is the Czech Social Security Administration and the ePortal has a full English interface, which is unusual and makes this one of the easier European records to retrieve."},{"n":2,"title":"Authenticate with an electronic identity","detail":"Bank identity is the easiest if you still hold a Czech bank account; a data box works permanently once created and does not depend on a Czech phone number."},{"n":3,"url":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en","title":"Request the Informative Personal Record (IOLDP)","detail":"This is the document to ask for: it lists every period of Czech pension insurance recorded for you, with the employers and the excluded periods."},{"n":4,"title":"Check the periods against your own record","detail":"Czech entitlement depends on completed insurance years, so a missing employer can change eligibility and not just the amount. Gaps are worth chasing while the employer still exists."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.cssz.cz/web/lang/-/changes-to-the-payment-of-pensions-abroad","title":"Save the PDF","detail":"If you live abroad and expect to be paid abroad, also read ČSSZ's guidance on payments to foreign accounts — the rules changed for 2026."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have no Czech electronic identity and cannot get one","whatToDo":"ČSSZ accepts a written request for the IOLDP by post with an officially certified signature. A data box can also be set up remotely and is the most durable option if you expect to deal with Czech authorities again."},{"symptom":"You are not a Czech national and have no rodné číslo","whatToDo":"An insurance number was assigned to you when you were first registered. It appears on Czech payslips; if you cannot find it, ČSSZ can trace it from your name, date of birth and employer."},{"symptom":"Periods before 1993 are missing","whatToDo":"Czechoslovak-era periods are split between the Czech and Slovak systems under a treaty rule based on the employer's seat. If your employer was in what is now Slovakia, the record sits with the Slovak authority."}],"portalUrl":"https://eportal.cssz.cz/web/portal-en","portalName":"ČSSZ ePortal","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Czech birth number (rodné číslo), or the insurance number issued to you if you are not a Czech national.","One of the accepted electronic identities: Identita občana (Citizen ID), a bank identity from a Czech bank, or a data box (datová schránka).","Your Czech employers and the years, so you can check the record against your own account of it."],"couldNotVerify":null,"documentNameLocal":"Informativní osobní list důchodového pojištění (IOLDP)","documentNameEnglish":"Informative personal record of pension insurance"}},{"country":"Denmark","country_code":"DK","continent":"europe","currency":"DKK","retirement_age_early":61,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Denmark operates one of the world's top-ranked pension systems, placing 3rd globally in both the 2024 and 2025 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index (score: 82.3 in 2025). The system rests on three pillars: the Folkepension (a universal, tax-financed flat-rate state pension based on residency), the ATP (Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension — a mandatory, fully funded, defined-contribution supplementary scheme covering nearly all wage earners), and quasi-mandatory occupational pensions negotiated through collective agreements covering approximately 90% of the workforce. A voluntary individual savings layer (ratepension, aldersopsparing, livrente) rounds out the system.\n\nThe statutory retirement age is currently 67, rising to 68 in 2030, 69 in 2035, and — following a May 2025 parliamentary vote — 70 in 2040 for those born after 31 December 1970. This indexation to life expectancy, established by the 2006 Welfare Reform, targets a fixed retirement period of approximately 14.5 years. Early retirement options include the Seniorpension (for long-career workers with 20–25 years of qualifying employment and permanently reduced work capacity, up to 6 years before statutory retirement age) and the voluntary early-retirement scheme (Efterløn) linked to unemployment insurance. Occupational pensions are accessible up to 3 years before the statutory retirement age.\n\nThe Folkepension is financed entirely through general taxation with no employee or employer social security contributions. In 2026, the monthly grundbeløb is DKK 7,544 for all pensioners; the means-tested pensionstillæg is up to DKK 8,729/month (single) or DKK 4,467/month (partnered). ATP contributions are fixed nominal amounts (not a percentage of salary), with employers paying two-thirds and employees one-third; the 2026 total for a full-time employee is DKK 297/month (DKK 3,564/year). Occupational pension contribution rates range from 10–18% of salary (OECD models at ~12%), split roughly 2/3 employer and 1/3 employee. Denmark has a broad network of double tax treaties and a totalization agreement with the United States (effective October 2008), as well as EU/EEA coordination and the Nordic Convention on Social Security.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.borger.dk/pension-og-efterloen","name":"Borger.dk — Pension og efterløn"},{"url":"https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/pension/state-pension","name":"Life in Denmark — State Pension"},{"url":"https://www.atp.dk","name":"ATP (Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension)"},{"url":"https://www.pensionsinfo.dk","name":"PensionsInfo (aggregated pension overview)"},{"url":"https://skat.dk/en-us/individuals/pension-and-early-retirement/danish-pensions-if-you-move-abroad","name":"Skattestyrelsen — Danish pension if you leave Denmark"},{"url":"https://www.atp.dk/en/our-tasks/processing-welfare-benefits/udbetaling-danmark-internationally","name":"Udbetaling Danmark International Pension"},{"url":"https://businessindenmark.virk.dk/guidance/atp-livslang-pension-bid/atp-contribution-rates/","name":"Business in Denmark — ATP contribution rates"},{"url":"https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/pension/atp-livslang-pension","name":"Life in Denmark — ATP Livslang Pension"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/dk/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/dk","system_type":"Beveridge/Universal flat-rate state pension (Folkepension) + mandatory funded supplementary (ATP) + quasi-mandatory occupational DC","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0/1: Folkepension (universal, tax-financed, residence-based) + ATP (mandatory, fully funded DC); Pillar 2: Occupational pensions (quasi-mandatory via collective agreements, DC, ~90% workforce coverage); Pillar 3: Individual voluntary savings (ratepension, aldersopsparing, livrente)","replacement_rate_gross":"≥70% (mandatory schemes, average earner; OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); ~43% from mandatory private schemes alone; low earners may receive 115%+ from public schemes","min_qualifying_period":"Folkepension: 3 years residency (Danish citizens), 1 year in Denmark with EU/EEA aggregation (EU/EEA citizens), 10 years (third-country nationals, 5 immediately before retirement). ATP: no minimum — immediately vested upon any contribution. Occupational: no vesting period under Danish law.","min_qualifying_partial":"Folkepension: any period of residence between 3 years (minimum) and 40 years (full pension pre-July 2025) or 9/10 of accrual period (post-July 2025) qualifies for a pro-rated benefit (1/40th per year of residence for pre-July 2025 cohorts).","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates periods across EU/EEA member states; Nordic Convention on Social Security provides additional coordination for Nordic countries. Bilateral totalization agreement with the US (effective October 2008) covers Folkepension and ATP. For Folkepension, EU/EEA periods can be aggregated to meet the minimum 3-year threshold, reducing the Danish residence requirement to 1 year for EU/EEA citizens. Third-country nationals require 10 years of Danish residence (5 immediately before retirement) unless covered by a bilateral agreement. Under the US-Denmark totalization agreement, US nationals need only 3 years of Danish residence plus 1 year of Danish work to qualify for Folkepension.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA (all member states via Regulation 883/2004)","Nordic countries (special convention)","United States","Canada","Australia","South Korea","India","Chile","Japan","Switzerland","United Kingdom"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Denmark has no general social security contribution percentage on wages. The social security system is financed primarily through general taxation. The 8% labour market contribution (AM-bidrag) is deducted from gross salary before income tax but is not a pension contribution. ATP contributions are fixed nominal amounts, not percentages of salary, and vary only by hours worked. From 2026, a new three-bracket income tax structure (middle-bracket, top-bracket, top-top-bracket) replaces the old topskat system.","employee_pct":"ATP: 1/3 of fixed nominal amount (DKK 99/month for full-time, 2026); Occupational: typically 4–6% of salary (varies by collective agreement, range 10–18% total)","employer_pct":"ATP: 2/3 of fixed nominal amount (DKK 198/month = DKK 2,272/year for full-time, 2026); Occupational: typically 8–12% of salary (2/3 of total contribution)","self_employed_pct":"ATP: voluntary membership at standard rates; occupational: not mandatorily enrolled but may opt in; individual savings: voluntary"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Contributions to ratepension and aldersopsparing can be made up to the tax filing deadline (typically 1 July of the following year for the prior tax year).","available":true,"annual_cost":"Ratepension: up to DKK 68,700/year (2026) tax-deductible across all accounts. Aldersopsparing: DKK 9,900/year (standard, 2026); DKK 64,200/year within 7 years of retirement age. Livrente (private): up to DKK 63,200/year deductible (2026); employer-funded livrente: no hard cap. ATP: voluntary for self-employed at standard rates.","eligibility_conditions":"Ratepension and aldersopsparing available to all Danish tax residents. Voluntary ATP available to self-employed persons and others not mandatorily covered. EU/EEA pension schemes may be approved by Skattestyrelsen for continued contributions for up to 60 months after moving to Denmark."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Folkepension: deferral for up to 10 years past statutory retirement age earns a 'waiting percentage' (venteprocent) supplement — actuarial increase applied to the basic amount; condition is at least 750 hours of personal work income per calendar year. ATP: deferral for up to 10 years subject to actuarial adjustment, resulting in higher guaranteed annuity.","early_reduction":"Folkepension: no early claiming option below statutory retirement age (simply not payable before statutory age). Occupational pensions: accessible up to 3 years before statutory retirement age per scheme rules. Seniorpension (early pension for long-career workers with permanently reduced work capacity): payable up to 6 years before statutory retirement age for those with 20–25 years of qualifying employment and work capacity reduced to max 15 hours/week."},"access_options":{"notes":"Folkepension (state): annuity only (lifelong monthly payment). ATP: guaranteed lifelong annuity only; if annual ATP pension is DKK 3,600 (2026) or less before tax, paid as lump sum; survivors receive a lump-sum death benefit. Occupational pensions: typically annuity (livrente) with some schemes allowing partial lump sum or phased withdrawals (ratepension format); accessible 3 years before statutory retirement age. Aldersopsparing (individual): paid as lump sum, tax-free on withdrawal. Ratepension (individual): paid in instalments over 10–30 years. Kapitalpension (legacy, closed to new contributions since 2013): lump sum subject to 40% charge.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Folkepension and ATP are payable worldwide; benefits are not frozen upon departure. EU/EEA portability applies under Regulation 883/2004. Occupational and private pensions are generally payable abroad subject to scheme rules. Non-residents are subject to limited tax liability in Denmark on pension payments (average tax rate, not municipal rate). Early withdrawal of ATP before retirement age triggers a 60% tax charge. Transfer of pension assets to non-Danish schemes is possible only to EU/EEA-approved schemes with Skattestyrelsen approval."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Aldersopsparing: returns taxed at 15.3% PAL tax annually (not on withdrawal); lump sum payout is tax-free. Ratepension instalments: taxed at marginal income tax rate on withdrawal. Kapitalpension lump sum (legacy, closed to new contributions since 2013): subject to 40% charge on withdrawal. Early termination of pension schemes: 60% charge applies. ATP survivor lump sum: tax-free.","special_tax_regimes":"Forskerordningen (researcher/expat tax scheme): flat 27% tax rate on salary for qualifying foreign researchers and high-paid employees for up to 7 years (84 months); minimum monthly salary threshold DKK 65,400 (2026, reduced from DKK 78,000 in 2025). PAL tax (Pensionsafkastskat): 15.3% annual tax on investment returns within all Danish pension schemes (both occupational and individual). AM-bidrag (labour market contribution): 8% of gross salary, deducted before income tax — not a pension contribution but reduces taxable base. From 2026, a new three-bracket income tax structure replaces the old topskat: middle-bracket tax, top-bracket tax, and top-top-bracket tax.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Under most Danish DTTs, Denmark retains the right to tax private pension payments at source (since contributions were tax-deductible in Denmark). Under the US-Denmark treaty, pension income is typically taxed only in the recipient's country of residence. Under the Denmark-France DTT (effective 2024 income year), France has primary taxing rights for French residents. Only a few countries (historically Malaysia, Australia, Romania) allow Danish pension to be received entirely free of Danish tax.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US persons with Danish pension accounts must report foreign financial accounts (FBAR if aggregate value exceeds $10,000) and may need to report on Form 8938 (FATCA). Danish occupational and private pension funds are generally PFIC-exempt if qualifying pension funds. Form 8833 required to claim treaty benefits. Danish ATP and Folkepension are treated as social security equivalents under the totalization agreement.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Folkepension (state pension) and ATP are treated as social security/public pension — under the US-Denmark totalization agreement, Denmark has exclusive taxing rights on social security benefits paid by Denmark to US residents. Private and occupational pensions: Denmark generally retains source-country taxing rights under most DTTs where contributions were tax-deductible in Denmark.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Limited tax liability applies to non-residents receiving Danish pension payments; taxed at an average rate (not the full marginal rate with municipal tax). In 2026, the maximum rate for limited tax liability is approximately 57% (60.5% including AM-bidrag) on income from Danish sources, but most DTTs reduce or eliminate Danish source taxation on private pensions. Non-residents may apply for PAL tax exemption using form 07.058."},"indexation":{"notes":"Folkepension is adjusted annually in line with average wage growth of the working-age population (wage indexation based on private sector earnings two years prior), subject to a regulatory mechanism. In 2026, Folkepension increased by 4.8%. ATP pensions in payment may be increased via bonus allowances if the ATP board finds it financially sound. Occupational pensions: indexation varies by scheme; many are not formally indexed but investment returns in DC schemes affect accumulated capital. Benefits are payable and uprated regardless of country of residence.","method":"Folkepension: annual wage-index adjustment (based on private sector earnings of working-age population, two years prior — satsreguleringsbekendtgørelse); ATP: discretionary bonus allowances based on fund performance; Occupational DC: investment return-dependent accumulation","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU/EEA Regulation 883/2004 coordinates pension periods and ensures portability across EU/EEA. Nordic Convention on Social Security provides additional coordination for Nordic countries. US-Denmark totalization agreement (effective October 2008) allows aggregation of US and Danish credits for Folkepension and ATP. Occupational pension assets can be transferred between Danish schemes; transfer to non-Danish EU/EEA-approved schemes is possible with Skattestyrelsen approval. No vesting or portability restrictions on Danish occupational pensions under Danish law. ATP benefits are payable worldwide without restriction. Folkepension and ATP are payable worldwide; only the grundbeløb (basic amount) is typically exportable — means-tested supplements (pensionstillæg, heating allowance, etc.) are generally not payable outside Denmark except under specific EU/EEA rules."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Folkepension and ATP Livslang Pension are not paid automatically — the pensioner must apply. Applications for Folkepension can be submitted up to 6 months before reaching statutory retirement age, online via borger.dk (with MitID) or by post to Udbetaling Danmark. For pensioners living abroad, applications are submitted to Udbetaling Danmark International Pension (Kongens Vænge 8, DK-3400 Hillerød). EU/EEA residents may apply through their country of residence's pension authority, which coordinates with Udbetaling Danmark. ATP Livslang Pension is automatically paid out when the pensioner reaches statutory retirement age if they have contributed. Pension is paid on the last banking day of each month.","advance_timeline":"Up to 6 months before reaching statutory retirement age","payment_frequency":"Monthly (last banking day of each month)","required_documents":["Danish CPR number","Valid ID/passport","Residence history in Denmark (dates and addresses)","Foreign insurance or social security number (for international claims)","Bank account details (NemKonto for Danish residents; local bank account for abroad)","Documentation of periods worked for Danish employers abroad (employment contracts, payslips)","Marital/cohabitation status documentation","Proof of refugee status (if applicable)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Borger.dk and Udbetaling Danmark self-service are accessible from abroad. EU/EEA citizens can connect their non-Danish eID to their Danish CPR number to access Danish public self-services. MitID (Danish digital ID) can be obtained abroad. Non-EU/EEA residents without MitID must use paper forms or contact Udbetaling Danmark International Pension directly (+45 70 12 80 61).","proof_of_life_notes":"Pensioners residing abroad are required to inform Udbetaling Danmark of changes in personal situation or income. Udbetaling Danmark conducts annual readjustments of pension amounts. Proof of life/continued eligibility may be required periodically for pensioners abroad, coordinated through Udbetaling Danmark International Pension. EU/EEA pensioners may use their non-Danish eID connected to their CPR number for digital self-service.","international_contact":{"phone":"Udbetaling Danmark International Pension, +45 70 12 80 61"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Danish (primary); English available for international pension applications via Udbetaling Danmark International Pension","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Folkepension (State Pension)","type":"state","description":"Universal flat-rate residence-based pension for all Danish citizens and qualifying residents. Consists of a basic amount (grundbeløb) and a means-tested supplement (pensionstillæg). As of 2026, the monthly grundbeløb is DKK 7,544 for singles and couples alike; the pensionstillæg is up to DKK 8,729/month (single) or DKK 4,467/month (partnered). Entirely tax-financed; no contributions required. Full pension requires 40 years of residence (for those reaching retirement age before 1 July 2025) or 9/10 of the period from age 15 to retirement age (for those reaching retirement age on or after 1 July 2025). Minimum entitlement: 3 years for Danish citizens, 1 year in Denmark with EU/EEA aggregation (EU/EEA citizens), 10 years for third-country nationals (5 immediately before retirement). From 2025, earned income no longer reduces the grundbeløb.","officialUrl":"https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/pension/state-pension","vestingYears":3,"vestingPeriod":"3 years residency (Danish citizens); 1 year in Denmark + aggregation with EU/EEA periods (EU/EEA citizens); 10 years (third-country nationals, 5 of which immediately before retirement). Full pension: 40 years (pre-July 2025 retirees) or 9/10 of period from age 15 to retirement age (post-July 2025 retirees).","contributionRateEmployee":"N/A (tax-financed)","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A (tax-financed)"},{"name":"ATP (Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension — Labour Market Supplementary Pension)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory, fully funded, collective insurance-based defined-contribution scheme. Covers almost all wage earners (employees working more than 9 hours/week) and most social benefit recipients. Provides a lifelong guaranteed annuity from the statutory pension age, plus a survivors' lump-sum benefit. Pension rights accrue on a what-you-pay-is-what-you-get basis. ATP membership is voluntary for the self-employed. Claiming can be deferred by up to 10 years subject to actuarial adjustment. If the ATP Livslang Pension amounts to DKK 3,600 (2026) or less per year before tax, it is paid as a lump sum rather than monthly. The ATP scheme may increase pensions via bonus allowances if financially sound.","officialUrl":"https://www.atp.dk","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum qualifying period; benefits based on contributions paid. Immediately vested.","contributionRateEmployee":"1/3 of fixed nominal amount: DKK 99/month for full-time (≥117 hrs/month) in 2026; lower bands for part-time. Total monthly contribution DKK 297 for full-time.","contributionRateEmployer":"2/3 of fixed nominal amount: DKK 198/month per full-time employee in 2026 (DKK 2,272/year employer share; DKK 3,564/year total for full-time)"},{"name":"Occupational pensions (Arbejdsmarkedspensioner)","type":"occupational","description":"Quasi-mandatory defined-contribution schemes negotiated through collective agreements at sectoral or company level. Cover approximately 90% of the employed workforce; all public sector workers are enrolled. Contribution rates set by collective agreement, ranging from 10–18% of salary (OECD models at ~12% average). Typically split 2/3 employer and 1/3 employee. Benefits usually withdrawn as annuity; some schemes allow partial lump sum or phased withdrawals. Accessible up to 3 years before the statutory retirement age. No vesting or portability issues under Danish law. Occupational schemes typically also cover disability, survivors' benefits, and critical illness.","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsinfo.dk","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting issues; immediately portable under Danish law. Varies by collective agreement.","contributionRateEmployee":"Typically 4–6% of salary (1/3 of total; some agreements specify 5.25% minimum employee share)","contributionRateEmployer":"Typically 8–12% of salary (2/3 of total; some agreements specify higher minimums)"},{"name":"Individual pension savings (ratepension, aldersopsparing, livrente)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Ratepension (instalment pension): contributions tax-deductible up to DKK 68,700/year (2026) across all accounts; payouts taxed at marginal income tax rate, paid in instalments over 10–30 years. Aldersopsparing (age savings): contributions not tax-deductible (standard cap DKK 9,900/year in 2026; DKK 64,200/year within 7 years of retirement age); returns taxed at 15.3% PAL tax annually; paid as lump sum at retirement, tax-free on withdrawal. Livrente (lifelong annuity): individual contributions deductible up to DKK 63,200/year (2026) for private livsvarig livrente; employer-funded livrente arrangements have no hard upper cap; payouts taxed as income. All schemes subject to 15.3% PAL tax on investment returns annually.","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsinfo.dk","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"N/A (individual savings accounts)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; ratepension capped at DKK 68,700/year (2026) combined across all accounts; aldersopsparing DKK 9,900/year (standard) or DKK 64,200/year (within 7 years of retirement)","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A (individual scheme); employer contributions to occupational livrente plans may be unlimited"}],"cross_border_notes":["Denmark's statutory retirement age is currently 67, rising to 68 in 2030, 69 in 2035, and 70 in 2040 (confirmed by parliament in May 2025) for those born after 31 December 1970. The age is indexed to life expectancy targeting a fixed retirement period of approximately 14.5 years.","Folkepension supplements (pensionstillæg, heating allowance, health allowance, personal allowance) are generally not payable to pensioners living outside Denmark, except under specific EU/EEA rules or bilateral agreements. Only the basic amount (grundbeløb) is typically exportable.","From 1 July 2025, the full Folkepension residence requirement changed from 40 years to 9/10 of the period from age 15 to statutory retirement age, making it slightly easier for long-term residents to qualify for a full pension.","Under the US-Denmark totalization agreement (effective October 2008), US nationals need only 3 years of Danish residence (plus 1 year of Danish work) to qualify for Folkepension — reduced from the standard 10-year requirement for non-EU nationals.","Denmark retains source-country taxing rights on most private and occupational pension payments to non-residents under its DTTs, as contributions were tax-deductible in Denmark. The Denmark-France DTT (effective 2024 income year) is a notable exception giving France primary taxing rights.","Early withdrawal of ATP before retirement age is subject to a 60% tax charge. Transfer of Danish pension assets abroad is only possible to EU/EEA-approved pension schemes with Skattestyrelsen approval.","From 2025, earned income (AM-bidrag-liable income) no longer reduces the Folkepension grundbeløb, giving pensioners a stronger incentive to continue working. The pensionstillæg remains means-tested against non-work income.","ATP benefits and Folkepension are payable worldwide without restriction. Occupational and private pensions are generally payable abroad subject to scheme rules and applicable DTTs.","The PAL tax (15.3% on pension investment returns) applies to all Danish pension schemes annually. Non-residents not subject to full Danish tax liability may apply for exemption from PAL tax using form 07.058. Exception: residents of Sweden with Danish pension schemes must pay Danish PAL tax.","Denmark is party to more than 80 income tax treaties and is a signatory to the OECD Multilateral Instrument (MLI). The Kingdom of Denmark for treaty purposes does not include the Faroe Islands or Greenland.","The Seniorpension (early pension) allows individuals with permanently reduced work capacity (max 15 hours/week) and 20–25 years of qualifying employment to retire up to 6 years before the standard retirement age.","From 2026, Denmark's income tax system was reformed with a new three-bracket structure (middle-bracket, top-bracket, top-top-bracket) replacing the old topskat, affecting the tax treatment of pension withdrawals for higher earners."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.pensionsinfo.dk","title":"Open PensionsInfo","detail":"PensionsInfo is the aggregator: one login returns your state pension, your ATP, and every Danish occupational and private pension in one overview. Very few countries have anything this complete."},{"n":2,"title":"Log in with MitID","detail":"The overview is generated live from every connected Danish provider."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.atp.dk","title":"Read the three layers separately","detail":"Folkepension (residence-based state pension), ATP Livslang Pension (a lifelong supplement from contributions), and any labour-market or private scheme. They are paid by different bodies and claimed separately."},{"n":4,"url":"https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/pension/state-pension","title":"Check your Danish residence years","detail":"Folkepension accrues at 1/40 per year of residence between age 15 and pension age, so the count of years is the figure that determines what you get. Confirm it rather than assuming."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.atp.dk/en/our-tasks/processing-welfare-benefits/udbetaling-danmark-internationally","title":"Download the overview","detail":"Save the PDF. If you live abroad, Udbetaling Danmark International Pension is the office that will handle your case."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot get or renew MitID from outside Denmark","whatToDo":"Danish embassies can perform identification for MitID in some countries. Without it, write to Udbetaling Danmark International Pension quoting your CPR number and ask for your record and residence years in writing — the paper route does not need MitID."},{"symptom":"PensionsInfo shows no occupational pension you are sure you had","whatToDo":"Only providers connected to PensionsInfo appear. Older or transferred schemes may not be. Ask your former employer which pension company they used and contact it directly."},{"symptom":"You lost your CPR number","whatToDo":"It is on any Danish payslip, health card, or SKAT correspondence. Udbetaling Danmark can trace it from your name, date of birth and Danish addresses."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.pensionsinfo.dk","portalName":"PensionsInfo","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Danish CPR number — on your yellow health card, payslips, and any Danish tax paperwork.","MitID. This is the single biggest obstacle for people who have left Denmark: it usually needs a Danish address or in-person identification, though the Danish Agency for Digital Government publishes routes for citizens abroad.","The years you lived in Denmark, not just worked — Folkepension is earned by residence, so time spent there without a job still counts."],"couldNotVerify":"Which Danish embassies currently perform MitID identification, and whether PensionsInfo can be reached at all without MitID.","documentNameLocal":"PensionsInfo-oversigt","documentNameEnglish":"Aggregated Danish pension overview"}},{"country":"Finland","country_code":"FI","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":62,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":70,"pension_system_summary":"Finland operates a dual statutory pension system combining earnings-related pensions (työeläke) with a residence-based national pension (kansaneläke) and a means-tested guarantee pension (takuueläke). The earnings-related system is mandatory for all employed and self-employed persons, with pension accruing at a uniform rate of 1.5% of annual gross earnings per year for all ages from 2026 onwards — ending the transitional 1.7% rate for ages 53–62 that applied from 2017 to 2025. The system is partially funded with buffer funds managed by competing private pension insurance companies (Varma, Ilmarinen, Elo, Veritas, etc.), pension funds, and pension foundations, coordinated centrally by the Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK). The national pension and guarantee pension are administered by Kela (Social Insurance Institution) and serve as a safety net for those with little or no earnings-related pension. In 2026, the full monthly national pension is EUR 787.07 (single) / EUR 702.69 (married/cohabiting), and the guarantee pension threshold is EUR 990.90/month.\n\nA major 2017 pension reform progressively raised the statutory retirement age from 63 to 65 years (for those born 1962–1964), linked future retirement ages to life expectancy for those born in 1965 or later, and introduced the partial old-age pension. A further 2025 pension reform agreed a fixed TyEL contribution rate of 24.4% for 2026–2030, introduced an inflation stabiliser mechanism (to be activated from 2030 at earliest), and eliminated age-based contribution and accrual rate differentials from 2026. As of 1 February 2025, Kela no longer pays national old-age and disability pensions to pensioners residing in EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom, though earnings-related pensions remain payable worldwide. From 2026, the upper age limit for pension insurance obligation rises to 69 years for those born 1958–1961 (previously 68), and remains 70 for those born 1962 or later.\n\nThe Finnish pension system is notable for its lack of a ceiling on pensionable earnings or pension amounts, its life expectancy coefficient that adjusts starting pensions downward as longevity increases (reducing pensions by 5.4% for those born in 1964 retiring in 2026 or later), and its extensive network of bilateral social security agreements. The gross replacement rate for an average earner is 57.8% of pre-retirement wages (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025), above the OECD average of 52%. The foreign expert tax regime was updated from 1 January 2026: the flat rate was reduced from 32% to 25%, the duration extended to 84 months (7 years), and Finnish nationals returning after 5+ years abroad became eligible for up to 60 months.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.etk.fi/en/","name":"ETK — Finnish Centre for Pensions"},{"url":"https://www.kela.fi/en/","name":"Kela — Social Insurance Institution of Finland"},{"url":"https://www.tyoelake.fi/en/","name":"Työeläke.fi — Earnings-Related Pensions Info & Online Service"},{"url":"https://www.tela.fi/en/","name":"TELA — Finnish Pension Alliance"},{"url":"https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/tax-cards-and-tax-returns/moving_away_from_finland/finnish_pension_received_overseas2/","name":"Vero.fi — Finnish Tax Administration (Pension Taxation)"},{"url":"https://www.suomi.fi/guides/old-age-pension/planning-your-retirement/when-to-retire","name":"Suomi.fi — Official Finland Government Service (Retirement Planning)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/fi/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/fi","system_type":"Bismarckian earnings-related (DB, partially funded) combined with Beveridge-style residence-based national/guarantee pension","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1a: Earnings-related pension (TyEL/YEL/MYEL/MEL/KuEL — mandatory, partially funded defined benefit); Pillar 1b: National pension (kansaneläke) + Guarantee pension (takuueläke) — residence-based, state-financed safety net; Pillar 2: Voluntary collective occupational/group pension insurance (employer-arranged, not mandatory); Pillar 3: Individual voluntary pension insurance and long-term savings accounts (PS-tili)","replacement_rate_gross":"57.8% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025; OECD average 52%). Low-income earners: 57.8% (below OECD average of 65.5%); high-income earners: 57.8% (above OECD average of 42.0%).","min_qualifying_period":"Earnings-related (TyEL/YEL): No minimum — any employment/self-employment gives pension rights. National pension: 3 years Finnish residence after age 16 (full pension: 40 years). Guarantee pension: 3 years Finnish residence after age 16.","min_qualifying_partial":"National pension partial: Pro-rata for residence periods between 3 and 40 years. If residence is less than 80% of the period from age 16 to pension start, national pension is proportioned to length of Finnish residence.","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA: Statutory pensions from multiple countries totalized under EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009; each country pays proportional pension based on insurance periods. Nordic Convention supplements EU regulations among Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Bilateral social security agreements with Australia, Canada, Chile, China, India, Israel, Japan, Quebec, South Korea, and the United States allow aggregation of insurance periods for qualifying purposes. Note: China pension claims must be made directly to China (ETK does not forward claims to China).","totalization_partners":["EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden)","EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)","Switzerland","United Kingdom","Australia","Canada","Chile","China","India","Israel","Japan","Quebec","South Korea","United States"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"From 2026, age-based contribution differentials abolished. All employees pay 7.30%. Total TyEL contribution fixed at 24.4% for 2026–2030 per 2025 pension reform agreement. Pension accrual rate uniform at 1.5%/year for all ages from 2026. Government subsidises MYEL (farmers) and part of YEL contributions. MYEL rates are age- and income-dependent (reduced rate 54% of basic rate for income below EUR 33,011.19/year in 2026).","employee_pct":"7.30% (2026, uniform for all ages; in 2025: 7.15% for under 53/over 62, 8.65% for ages 53–62)","employer_pct":"Average 17.10% (2026); basic TyEL contribution 24.85% of payroll (contract employers, before client bonuses); occasional employers 25.85%. Total average TyEL: 24.4% (2026)","self_employed_pct":"24.40% of confirmed YEL income (2026, uniform for all ages; in 2025: 24.10% for under 53/over 62, 25.60% for ages 53–62). 22% discount for first 48 months for newly self-employed."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":null,"available":true,"annual_cost":null,"benefit_per_year":null,"eligibility_conditions":"Individual voluntary pension insurance or PS long-term savings account. Open to any individual. Contributions deductible from capital income up to EUR 5,000/year (EUR 2,500/year if employer also contributes). Minimum retirement age for tax benefit: 68 years for policies from 2013 onwards (rising in line with insurance obligation upper age limit for birth year: 69 for born 1958–1961, 70 for born ≥1962)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+0.4% per month of deferral past own retirement age (increment for late retirement). Permanent increase. Working until the target retirement age offsets the life expectancy coefficient reduction.","early_reduction":"Partial old-age pension: -0.4% per month (4.8% per year) for each month drawn before own retirement age. Reduction is permanent. National pension early retirement (born before 1962 only): -0.4% per month taken before age 65."},"access_options":{"notes":"Earnings-related pension (TyEL/YEL): lifetime monthly annuity only; no lump sum option. Partial old-age pension allows drawing 25% or 50% of accrued pension early (from age 62 for those born 1964+; age 61 for earlier cohorts). National pension and guarantee pension: monthly annuity, payable only to Finnish residents (with limited exceptions for bilateral agreement countries). Voluntary supplementary pensions and PS accounts: may offer lump sum or phased withdrawal depending on contract terms. No option to withdraw pension contributions on departure from Finland — accrued pension is paid at retirement age regardless of country of residence (earnings-related only).","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Earnings-related pension contributions cannot be refunded on departure. Accrued earnings-related pension is paid at retirement age to any country worldwide. National pension and guarantee pension: generally only paid within Finland; as of 1 February 2025, no longer paid to EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK residents. May be paid to bilateral agreement countries (US, Canada, Australia, Israel, Chile, etc.) under specific agreement terms."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"No lump sum option for statutory earnings-related pension or national pension. Voluntary pension insurance lump sums taxed as earned income. PS account withdrawals taxed in Finland regardless of tax treaties.","special_tax_regimes":"Foreign expert (key employee) tax regime updated from 1 January 2026: flat rate reduced from 32% to 25%, duration extended to 84 months (7 years) for non-Finnish nationals, 60 months for returning Finnish citizens (not tax resident in Finland for preceding 5 years). Minimum salary EUR 5,800/month. Must apply within 90 days of starting work. Regime applies to employment income only, not pension income. PS long-term savings account withdrawals taxed in Finland without treaty relief.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty. Under some treaties, Finnish pension is taxed only in the country of residence (not Finland). Finland has tax treaties with over 70 countries. Treaty relief applies to statutory earnings-related and national pensions. PS long-term savings account withdrawals are taxed in Finland regardless of tax treaties. Note: Finland suspended the Finland-Russia tax treaty as of 1 July 2026; Russian pensions are now taxed in Finland under domestic law from that date.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Finnish earnings-related pension is a foreign pension — reportable on US tax return. US-Finland totalization agreement prevents double social security contributions. US-Finland tax treaty (1989) applies; most benefits subject to US Savings Clause for US citizens. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to Finnish pension accounts if thresholds met. Note: The Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 2025) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which previously reduced US Social Security benefits for those also receiving Finnish pensions.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Public sector pensions (government employees) may be taxed only in Finland under some treaties even if recipient lives abroad. Private/statutory earnings-related pensions generally taxed per treaty residence rules.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive taxation same as residents (since 2006 reform). Non-residents are taxed on Finnish pension income using the same progressive rates as Finnish residents; all taxes go to the State. Standard 35% non-resident withholding applies to wages but pension income is taxed progressively with pension income deduction. Treaty relief may reduce or eliminate Finnish tax for non-residents depending on applicable tax treaty."},"indexation":{"notes":"Earnings-related pensions in payment are adjusted annually in January with the earnings-related pension index (80% CPI + 20% wage growth). Wage coefficient (80% wage growth + 20% CPI) used to revalue past earnings when calculating starting pension. National pension indexed annually to national pension index (100% CPI). Guarantee pension indexed to national pension index. As part of 2025 pension reform, an inflation stabiliser (index limiter) will be introduced from 2030 at earliest: if earnings-related pension index grows faster than wage coefficient over two years, increases capped at wage growth level. Earnings-related pensions paid abroad are uprated on same basis as domestic pensions. Note: index adjustments to housing allowance for pensioners are frozen for 2024–2027.","method":"Earnings-related pensions in payment: 80% CPI + 20% wage growth (earnings-related pension index). Accrued pension revaluation before retirement: 80% wage growth + 20% CPI (wage coefficient). National/guarantee pension: 100% CPI (national pension index). Index values for 2026: earnings-related pension index 3104 (+0.88% vs 2025); wage coefficient 1.712 (+2.33% vs 2025); national pension index 1939 (+0.5% vs 2025).","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Accumulated pension savings cannot be transferred between countries before retirement. Accrued Finnish earnings-related pension is paid at retirement to any country worldwide. EU Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009 govern coordination with EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK. Nordic Convention provides additional provisions among Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden. ETK (Finnish Centre for Pensions) acts as contact institution for international pension claims. Bilateral social security agreements with Australia, Canada, Chile, China, India, Israel, Japan, Quebec, South Korea, and the US allow aggregation of insurance periods. Note: China pension claims must be made directly to China — ETK does not forward claims to China."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"For earnings-related pension: apply through your own pension insurance company (TyEL provider) or via Työeläke.fi online service. For national pension and guarantee pension: apply through Kela (OmaKela online service, phone, or in person). If living abroad in EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK or bilateral agreement country, submit claim to the pension authority of your country of residence — they forward it to Finland. If living in a non-agreement country, apply directly to Finnish pension provider or ETK. Finnish and foreign pensions can be claimed simultaneously using the same application form plus Appendix U (residence/work abroad form). Processing may take longer for international claims. China is an exception: claims must be made directly to China.","advance_timeline":"Apply approximately 1 month before desired start date for domestic claims; 3–6 months in advance recommended for international/cross-border claims","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Finnish personal ID or passport","Employment records (if not already in Finnish pension registers)","Bank account details for international payment (IBAN/BIC)","Appendix U (Residence and Employment Abroad form) if worked/lived abroad","Country-specific claim form for bilateral agreement countries","Proof of residence (if claiming from abroad)","Power of attorney documentation (if claiming on behalf of another person)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Työeläke.fi and most pension provider online services accessible internationally. Login requires Finnish online banking credentials, mobile ID, or chip-enabled ID card — may be difficult for those without Finnish banking access. Kela's OmaKela portal accessible abroad. Pension records can be requested by post or phone from ETK if online access not possible.","proof_of_life_notes":"Some countries require periodic life certificates. Finland issues life certificates through the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) or Finnish embassies/consulates abroad. Personal visit with valid ID and address proof required for embassy/consulate certificates. ETK may request proof of life for pensioners living abroad.","international_contact":{"phone":"Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK); Phone: +358 29 411 2110 (Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00-15:00); Address: FI-00065 ELÄKETURVAKESKUS, Finland. Kela International: +358 20 634 0200; Email: inter.helsinki@kela.fi"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Finnish or Swedish (official languages). English accepted for international/EU correspondence with ETK. Kela decisions issued in Finnish or Swedish only. ETK booklet 'How to Claim Your Pension from Abroad' available in English, Estonian, Russian, Swedish and Finnish.","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Earnings-Related Pension (TyEL) — Private Sector Employees","type":"state","description":"Mandatory for private sector employees aged 17 up to the upper age limit (68 for born ≤1957; 69 for born 1958–1961; 70 for born ≥1962). Pension accrues at 1.5% of annual gross earnings per year for all ages from 2026 (uniform; the transitional 1.7% rate for ages 53–62 ended 31 December 2025). Administered by competing private pension insurance companies (Varma, Ilmarinen, Elo, Veritas, etc.) and sector-specific pension funds/foundations. Coordinated by ETK. Life expectancy coefficient reduces starting pension (e.g. 5.4% reduction for those born in 1964 retiring in 2026 or later).","officialUrl":"https://www.tyoelake.fi/en/","vestingYears":0,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum — any employment gives pension rights","contributionRateEmployee":"7.30% (2026, uniform for all ages; was 7.15% for under 53/over 62 and 8.65% for ages 53–62 in 2025)","contributionRateEmployer":"Average 17.10% (2026); total TyEL average 24.4% (2026–2030 per reform agreement)"},{"name":"Earnings-Related Pension (YEL) — Self-Employed","type":"state","description":"Mandatory for self-employed persons aged 18 up to the upper age limit (68/69/70 depending on birth year) when annual self-employment income exceeds EUR 9,423.09 (2026 threshold, wage-coefficient adjusted) and activity lasts 4+ months. Contribution based on confirmed income (not actual profit). Newly self-employed receive a 22% discount for first 48 months. Pension providers review YEL income every 3 years from 2023 reform. Accrual rate 1.5% for all ages from 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.tyoelake.fi/en/pensions-for-the-self-employed/","vestingYears":0,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum — any qualifying self-employment gives pension rights","contributionRateEmployee":"24.40% of confirmed income (2026, uniform for all ages; was 24.10% for under 53/over 62 and 25.60% for ages 53–62 in 2025). 22% discount for first 48 months for newly self-employed.","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Farmers' Earnings-Related Pension (MYEL)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory for farmers, forest owners, fishermen, reindeer breeders and their families. Contribution rates are age- and income-dependent: reduced rate (54% of basic rate) applies to annual MYEL income below EUR 33,011.19 (2026); basic rate for income above EUR 51,874.82 (2026); graduated between these limits. Government subsidises part of MYEL contributions. Administered by Mela.","officialUrl":"https://www.mela.fi/en/","vestingYears":0,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum","contributionRateEmployee":"Age- and income-dependent; reduced rate is 54% of basic YEL rate (24.40% in 2026); basic rate applies to income above EUR 51,874.82/year","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"National Pension (Kansaneläke)","type":"state","description":"Residence-based pension for persons covered by Finnish social security who have lived in Finland for at least 3 years after age 16. Amount depends on length of Finnish residence and other pension income. Reduced by earnings-related pension (50 cents per euro of earnings-related pension). Full monthly amount in 2026: EUR 787.07 (single) / EUR 702.69 (married/cohabiting). Full pension payable only if no earnings-related pension or combined amount ≤ EUR 66.54/month (2026). As of 1 February 2025, no longer paid to residents of EU/EEA, Switzerland, or UK. Administered by Kela. Increased by 0.5% from 1 January 2026 per national pension index.","officialUrl":"https://www.kela.fi/national-pension","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 3 years Finnish residence after age 16; full pension requires 40 years residence","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Guarantee Pension (Takuueläke)","type":"state","description":"Means-tested minimum pension for residents of Finland aged 65+ (or disabled). Paid if total pension income before taxes is below EUR 982.90/month (2026 income limit); full guarantee pension amount: EUR 990.90/month (2026). Increased by 0.5% from 1 January 2026 per national pension index. Only payable to persons residing in Finland (not abroad, except temporarily). Approximately 116,000 pensioners (7% of all pensioners) receive a guarantee pension. Administered by Kela.","officialUrl":"https://www.kela.fi/guarantee-pension","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 3 years Finnish residence after age 16","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Supplementary/Occupational Group Pension Insurance","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary collective employer-sponsored group pension insurance arranged by employers for specific employee groups. Taxed as earned income. Employer pays total contribution if employee does not contribute; if employee contributes, age limit for tax benefit applies (same as insurance obligation upper age limit for the birth year). Not mandatory; coverage varies by employer and sector. Age limit for voluntary pension insurance is the same as the insurance obligation upper age limit: 68 (born ≤1957), 69 (born 1958–1961), or 70 (born ≥1962).","officialUrl":"https://www.etk.fi/en/finnish-pension-system/pensions/earnings-related-pension-benefits/supplementary-pensions/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by contract","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Voluntary Individual Pension Insurance and Long-Term Savings (PS-tili)","type":"private","description":"Individual voluntary pension insurance or long-term savings accounts (PS-tili). Contributions deductible from capital income up to EUR 5,000/year (or EUR 2,500/year if employer has also taken out such insurance). Minimum retirement age for tax benefit: 68 years for policies taken out from 2013 (rising in line with insurance obligation upper age limit for the birth year). Withdrawals from PS accounts taxed in Finland regardless of tax treaties. Role is relatively minor in Finland compared to other countries, as statutory pensions are broad with no earnings ceiling.","officialUrl":"https://www.etk.fi/en/finnish-pension-system/pensions/earnings-related-pension-benefits/supplementary-pensions/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum retirement age 68 for new policies (from 2013) for tax benefit; rises with insurance obligation upper age limit for birth year","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009 (effective 1 May 2010) govern social security coordination with EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK. Ensures continuous coverage and prevents double contributions. ETK is Finland's contact institution.","As of 1 February 2025, Kela no longer pays national old-age and disability pensions (kansaneläke) to pensioners residing in EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. Survivors' pensions continue to be paid. Limited exceptions apply for bilateral agreement countries (Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, and the United States).","Earnings-related pension (TyEL/YEL) is paid to all countries worldwide without restriction. Monthly EUR payments to international bank accounts.","Nordic Convention supplements EU regulations for Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — provides additional coordination provisions.","Bilateral social security agreements with Australia, Canada, Chile, China, India, Israel, Japan, Quebec, South Korea, and the United States allow totalization of insurance periods and may permit Kela pensions to be paid abroad under specific conditions. China is an exception: ETK does not forward pension claims to China; claims must be made directly.","A1/E101 certificates issued by ETK for posted workers to maintain Finnish social security coverage during temporary work abroad (up to 24 months, extendable).","Pension contributions cannot be refunded on departure from Finland. Accrued earnings-related pension is preserved and paid at retirement age regardless of country of residence.","From 2026, the upper age limit for pension insurance obligation is 69 years for those born 1958–1961 (previously 68), and remains 70 for those born 1962 or later.","2025 pension reform: TyEL contribution fixed at 24.4% for 2026–2030; inflation stabiliser (index limiter) to be introduced from 2030 at earliest; age-based contribution and accrual differentials abolished from 2026.","PS long-term savings account withdrawals are taxed in Finland regardless of tax treaties and regardless of whether the recipient is resident or non-resident.","Finland suspended the Finland-Russia income tax treaty as of 1 July 2026. From that date, Russian pensions received by Finnish residents are taxed in Finland under domestic law (with credit for Russian state tax paid).","Foreign expert (key employee) tax regime updated from 1 January 2026: flat rate reduced from 32% to 25%, duration extended to 84 months for non-Finnish nationals (60 months for returning Finnish citizens). Does not affect pension taxation.","The US Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 2025) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), benefiting US persons who also receive Finnish earnings-related pensions.","Life expectancy coefficient reduces starting earnings-related pension for each cohort (e.g. 5.4% reduction for those born in 1964 retiring in 2026 or later). Confirmed at age 62 for each cohort. Working until the target retirement age offsets this reduction."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.tyoelake.fi/en/","title":"Open Työeläke.fi","detail":"This is the joint service of the Finnish earnings-related pension providers. It shows the record for all of them, whichever company insured you."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in and open your pension record","detail":"The työeläkeote lists your annual earnings and the pension accrued from them, plus periods credited for study, parental leave and unemployment benefit."},{"n":3,"title":"Check the earnings year by year","detail":"Finnish accrual is a percentage of earnings, so an omitted year is a permanent loss unless corrected. Providers are required to correct errors, but the practical window is limited — raise anything now rather than at claim time."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.kela.fi/main-page","title":"Check the national pension with Kela separately","detail":"The residence-based national pension and guarantee pension are Kela's, not the providers'. If you lived in Finland but earned little, this is the part that matters, and it is not on työeläke.fi."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.etk.fi/en/","title":"Save both","detail":"Keep the earnings-related record and, where relevant, Kela's statement. ETK, the Finnish Centre for Pensions, is the coordinating body for international cases and the right contact if you are abroad."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You no longer have Finnish bank credentials, so you cannot log in","whatToDo":"This is the common case after leaving. ETK handles international enquiries and your pension provider will post the record on a written request quoting your personal identity code. An EU eID may also work if your current country issues one."},{"symptom":"You do not know which provider insured you","whatToDo":"You do not need to: the record is joint across all of them. If you must contact one directly, ETK can tell you which company covered a given employer."},{"symptom":"You worked in Finland only briefly","whatToDo":"Keep the record anyway. Finland has no minimum period for the earnings-related pension — even a few months accrues a small permanent entitlement, and short periods also count toward eligibility elsewhere in the EU."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.tyoelake.fi/en/","portalName":"Työeläke.fi","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus), on Finnish payslips and tax cards.","Finnish online banking credentials or a mobile certificate — the standard authentication, and hard to keep once you close a Finnish bank account.","The names of your Finnish employers: the earnings-related pension is administered by private providers, so knowing which one covered you shortens everything."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether Työeläke.fi currently accepts non-Finnish EU eIDs for login.","documentNameLocal":"Työeläkeote","documentNameEnglish":"Earnings-related pension record"}},{"country":"France","country_code":"FR","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":58,"retirement_age_full":64,"retirement_age_max":67,"pension_system_summary":"France operates one of the most comprehensive and complex pension systems in the OECD, established in 1945 on a pay-as-you-go (répartition) basis. The system comprises over 40 distinct pension schemes covering different professional categories, though the 2023 reform began phasing out several special regimes (RATP, SNCF, EDF-GDF, Banque de France, Clerks and Notary Employees) for new hires, who now join the general scheme. The two main pillars for private-sector workers are the Régime Général (CNAV), which provides a basic earnings-related pension calculated on the best 25 years of salary up to a ceiling, and the mandatory supplementary AGIRC-ARRCO points-based scheme, which merged in 2019 and covers all private-sector employees. Public-sector workers have their own basic schemes (SRE for state civil servants, CNRACL for territorial and hospital employees) plus the RAFP supplementary scheme introduced in 2005.\n\nThe landmark 2023 pension reform (Loi Borne) raised the minimum legal retirement age from 62 to 64 (phased in by 3 months per generation from September 2023 for those born from September 1961), and accelerated the increase in the required contribution period to 43 years (172 quarters) for those born in 1965 or later. However, the Social Security Financing Law for 2026 (LFSS 2026, promulgated 30 December 2025) partially suspended the reform: the legal retirement age of 64 now applies only to those born from 1969 onward (effective 1 September 2026), while those born between 1964 and 1968 benefit from a softened progression (legal ages ranging from 62 years 9 months to 63 years 9 months). The full pension age without contribution requirements remains 67. The AGIRC-ARRCO solidarity coefficient (malus of 10%) was fully abolished from April 2024 for all existing retirees and from December 2023 for new retirees.\n\nFrance has an extensive network of bilateral totalization agreements with over 40 non-EU countries, plus EU coordination rules (EC 883/2004) covering all 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Pensions are payable worldwide, with an annual certificat de vie (proof of life) required for overseas recipients. Since June 2024, a biometric 'Mon certificat de vie' smartphone app allows overseas retirees to submit proof of life digitally. Basic pensions (CNAV, SRE, CNRACL, MSA) were indexed +0.9% on 1 January 2026. The AGIRC-ARRCO point value remains frozen at €1.4386 since November 2024 — the first freeze since the 2019 merger — with the next social partner negotiation scheduled for autumn 2026. The PASS (Plafond Annuel de la Sécurité Sociale) for 2026 is €48,060/year (€4,005/month), up 2% from 2025.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.lassuranceretraite.fr","name":"L'Assurance Retraite (CNAV)"},{"url":"https://www.agirc-arrco.fr","name":"AGIRC-ARRCO"},{"url":"https://www.info-retraite.fr","name":"Info Retraite (unified multi-scheme portal)"},{"url":"https://www.cleiss.fr","name":"CLEISS (Centre de Liaisons Européennes et Internationales de Sécurité Sociale)"},{"url":"https://www.cfe.fr","name":"CFE (Caisse des Français de l'Étranger)"},{"url":"https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N381","name":"Service-Public.fr — Retraite"},{"url":"https://www.rafp.fr","name":"RAFP (Retraite Additionnelle de la Fonction Publique)"},{"url":"https://www.msa.fr","name":"MSA (Mutualité Sociale Agricole)"},{"url":"https://www.impots.gouv.fr/international-particulier","name":"Impôts.gouv.fr — Non-Residents"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/fr/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/fr","system_type":"Multi-tier Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) mandatory public system with supplementary occupational and voluntary private pension schemes","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Régime général (CNAV) + special/aligned basic schemes (mandatory PAYG, earnings-related); Pillar 2: AGIRC-ARRCO (mandatory points-based complementary for private sector), RAFP (mandatory points-based for civil servants), collective company PER Collectif/PERCOL (voluntary occupational); Pillar 3: PER individuel (voluntary individual savings plans with tax-deductible contributions)","replacement_rate_gross":"~74% (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2023, mandatory schemes, average-wage full-career worker); OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025 confirms France's gross replacement rate is broadly flat across earnings levels (average and half-average pay yield similar rates)","min_qualifying_period":"1 validated quarter entitles to a partial pension at any age from legal minimum; 15 years (60 quarters) required to receive pension before age 67 without waiting; full rate requires 172 quarters (43 years) for those born 1965 or later (phased in; LFSS 2026 provides relief for 1964–1968 cohorts — e.g., 170 quarters for those born in 1964 and Q1 1965)","min_qualifying_partial":"1 validated quarter (minimum earnings threshold to validate a quarter: €1,782 gross in 2025; 2026 threshold to be confirmed, typically indexed to SMIC)","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA/Switzerland: EC 883/2004 totalization of all periods across member states for eligibility determination; each country pays its own pro-rata share based on periods completed under its system. Bilateral agreements with 40+ non-EU countries: periods totalized for eligibility; each country pays its own share. Waiting period waivers and survivor benefit coordination included. CLEISS coordinates international claims. For non-agreement countries: only French periods count toward French pension eligibility.","totalization_partners":["All 27 EU member states (via EC 883/2004)","Norway","Iceland","Liechtenstein","Switzerland","United States","Canada","Quebec","Japan","South Korea","India","Brazil","Algeria","Morocco","Tunisia","Turkey","Argentina","Uruguay","Chile","Venezuela","Andorra","Monaco","San Marino","Guernsey","Jersey","Israel","Philippines","Vietnam (students only)","Senegal","Ivory Coast","Cameroon","Gabon","Congo","Benin","Togo","Niger","Mali","Mauritania","Madagascar","Cape Verde","Chad","Egypt","Jordan","Lebanon","Iraq","Iran","Bosnia-Herzegovina","Montenegro","Serbia","New Caledonia","French Polynesia","Mayotte"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"PASS (Plafond Annuel de la Sécurité Sociale) = €48,060/year (€4,005/month PMSS) in 2026, up 2% from 2025 (€47,100). AGIRC-ARRCO Tranche 1 applies up to PASS (€48,060); Tranche 2 applies from 1x to 8x PASS (€384,480/year in 2026). Basic old-age contribution total: 15.45% capped (employee 6.90% + employer 8.55%). Above ceiling: 2.51% (employee 0.40% + employer 2.11% — employer uncapped rate increased from 2.02% to 2.11% on 1 January 2026). CEG and CET additional contributions also apply to AGIRC-ARRCO. Total employer social charges ~40–45% of gross salary (PwC 2026). Total employee social contributions ~22–25% of gross salary.","employee_pct":"6.90% basic CNAV (capped) + 0.40% (uncapped) + 3.15% AGIRC-ARRCO T1 + 8.64% T2 (above PASS) = approx. 10.05–11.79% for pension only; total social contributions ~22–25% of gross salary","employer_pct":"8.55% basic CNAV (capped) + 2.11% (uncapped) + 4.72% AGIRC-ARRCO T1 + 12.95% T2 = approx. 13.27–15.66% for pension only; total employer social charges ~40–45% of gross salary","self_employed_pct":"~17.75% combined basic + supplementary on income up to PASS (€48,060 in 2026); reduced rates for micro-entrepreneurs; liberal professions vary by section (8–17%)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"PER contributions deductible in the tax year made; CFE enrollment ideally at departure from France (waiting periods of 3–6 months apply if joining later)","available":true,"annual_cost":"CFE pension contribution: rates based on declared salary, competitive vs. standard French regime; PER individuel: contributions up to 10% of annual professional income (or 10% of 8x PASS = €38,448 in 2026, whichever is higher) are tax-deductible","benefit_per_year":"CFE: each quarter contributed counts toward French pension calculation (same as domestic contributions). PER: accumulated capital converted to annuity or lump sum at retirement; tax-deductible contributions reduce current income tax.","eligibility_conditions":"CFE: French citizens or EU/EEA/Swiss nationals residing abroad, not covered by local mandatory social security, with at least 6 months prior French compulsory contributions. PER individuel: open to all French tax residents (employees, self-employed, unemployed). Retirees with 20+ quarterly contributions can join CFE for health coverage."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Basic (CNAV): surcote of +1.25% per additional quarter worked past full-rate age and contribution threshold (no cap). AGIRC-ARRCO: +5% per additional year worked beyond full-rate age (up to +20% for 4 extra years); cumulates with basic surcote. New parental increase (LFSS 2026): +1.25% per additional quarter worked for claimants born from 1964, within limit of 5%, for those with sufficient quarters for full rate before statutory age and at least one quarter of child-rearing increase.","early_reduction":"Basic (CNAV): décote of -1.25% per missing quarter below full-rate threshold (max -25% for 20 missing quarters). AGIRC-ARRCO: permanent reduction coefficient applied proportionally to missing quarters (e.g., 8 missing quarters = -8% permanent reduction). AGIRC-ARRCO solidarity coefficient (malus -10% for 3 years) fully abolished from April 2024 for all retirees."},"access_options":{"notes":"Régime général/CNAV (state basic): annuity only, paid monthly. AGIRC-ARRCO (mandatory complementary): annuity only as standard; very small pensions may be commuted to lump sum if below threshold. RAFP (civil servant supplementary): lump sum if accumulated points below threshold, otherwise annuity. PER individuel/collectif: choice of lump sum, annuity, or combination at retirement; lump sum also available before retirement for principal residence purchase, disability, death of spouse, over-indebtedness, expiry of unemployment benefits, or cessation of non-salaried activity. Progressive retirement (retraite progressive) available from age 60 (from September 2025, per Decree 2025-681 of 15 July 2025) with at least 150 quarters and 40–80% part-time activity, subject to employer agreement. For long-career workers, progressive retirement may be accessible from age 58 or 59.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State and AGIRC-ARRCO pensions payable worldwide to any bank account (French or foreign). Annual certificat de vie required. ASPA (minimum solidarity allowance) requires residence in France for at least 9 months/year and cannot be paid to a foreign bank account; 2026 amount: €1,043.59/month for single person. PER accessible at retirement age regardless of residency. No mandatory repatriation of funds."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"PER lump sum at retirement: taxed at progressive income tax rates on the portion corresponding to deducted contributions; capital gains portion taxed at flat 31.4% (PFU from 2026, up from 30% due to new 1.4% CSG surcharge on capital income — note: this PFU increase applies to capital income generally, not to pension annuity income). RAFP lump sum: taxed as pension income. AGIRC-ARRCO: no lump sum option for standard pensions. Pensions subject to 10% abatement (capped at approximately €4,439 per tax household for 2025 income; 2026 cap to be confirmed) before income tax.","special_tax_regimes":"CSG on pensions: 8.3% (normal rate), 6.6% (intermediate), 3.8% (reduced), or 0% (exempt) depending on household reference income (RFR) from N-2 year (2026 rates based on 2024 RFR). CRDS: 0.5%. CASA: 0.3% (not applicable to 0% and 3.8% CSG brackets). Non-residents exempt from CSG/CRDS on pension income but may pay 3.2% health insurance contribution if covered by French health scheme. Note: the 2026 Finance Act raised CSG on capital income (dividends, interest) from 9.2% to 10.6% (new PFU = 31.4%), but this does NOT affect the CSG rates on pension income, which remain at 0%/3.8%/6.6%/8.3%. France has signed data-exchange agreements with 9 EU countries (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland) allowing automatic proof-of-life verification.","treaty_reduced_rate":"France has 120+ double taxation agreements (DTAs). Under most DTAs (e.g., US-France Article 18), private pensions taxed only in country of residence; government service pensions typically taxed only in France (source country). US-France DTA: US Social Security taxed only in France (unusual provision per Article 20).","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"French state pension (CNAV) and AGIRC-ARRCO are likely PFIC-exempt as government social security equivalents; PER may require FBAR/FATCA reporting as foreign financial account. US persons should report French pension income on US tax return; US-France DTA Article 18 provides relief. WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset) repealed in the US from January 2025 (retroactive to January 2024) — French pension recipients who also receive US Social Security no longer face reduced US benefits.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Government service pensions (civil servants, military — SRE, CNRACL) typically taxed only in France under most DTAs. Private pensions (CNAV, AGIRC-ARRCO) typically taxed only in country of residence under most DTAs (Article 18 OECD model).","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0%, 12%, or 20% progressive withholding scale (RAS NR) applied by pension fund to non-resident pension recipients after a 10% standard allowance. 2026 thresholds (updated April 2026, BOI-BAREME-000043): 0% up to €17,275 annual income; 12% from €17,275 to €50,112; 20% above €50,112. In overseas departments: 0%/8%/14.4%. Non-residents not subject to CSG/CRDS on pension income (only residents pay these social levies on pensions)."},"indexation":{"notes":"Basic pensions uprated for all recipients worldwide regardless of country of residence. AGIRC-ARRCO uprated for all recipients worldwide. Basic pensions increased +0.9% from 1 January 2026 (CNAV, SRE, CNRACL, MSA). AGIRC-ARRCO point value remains frozen at €1.4386 since November 2024 (no increase November 2025 — first freeze since 2019 merger); next social partner negotiation scheduled autumn 2026, with possible catch-up of 0.6%–1% if agreed. ASPA (minimum solidarity allowance) increased to €1,043.59/month for single person from 1 January 2026.","method":"Basic pension (CNAV, SRE, CNRACL, MSA, SSI): indexed annually on 1 January to CPI (ex-tobacco) per Article L.161-25 of the Social Security Code. 2026 increase: +0.9% (January 2026). AGIRC-ARRCO: indexed annually on 1 November by social partners; point value frozen at €1.4386 since November 2024 (no increase November 2025 — failure to reach agreement between employer and union representatives). ANI 2023-2026 agreement: AGIRC-ARRCO indexed to CPI minus 0.4 sustainability factor, with social partners able to add up to +0.4% bonus. Minimum contributif (minimum pension): indexed to SMIC (minimum wage) increases; MiCo base €756.29/month, MiCo majoré €903.93/month (2026).","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU regulations (EC 883/2004 and 987/2009): full portability across EU/EEA/Switzerland — periods totalized, each country pays pro-rata share. CLEISS (Centre de Liaisons Européennes et Internationales de Sécurité Sociale) coordinates bilateral agreements. France has 40+ bilateral totalization agreements with non-EU countries and 120+ DTAs. No transfer of accumulated pension capital between countries (PAYG system); rights are preserved and paid separately by each country. CFE allows voluntary continuation of French pension contributions during expatriation."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to CNAV/Carsat (basic pension) and AGIRC-ARRCO (supplementary) separately, or use the unified online application at lassuranceretraite.fr which contacts all schemes simultaneously. For EU/EEA residents: apply at pension institution in country of residence or last French workplace — CLEISS acts as liaison body. For non-EU residents: apply directly to French pension body (relevant Carsat or CNAV). Applications should be submitted 4–6 months before desired retirement date. The Info-Retraite portal (info-retraite.fr) consolidates all schemes for career tracking and simulation.","advance_timeline":"4–6 months before desired retirement date","payment_frequency":"Monthly (CNAV/Carsat: paid around the 9th of each month; AGIRC-ARRCO: paid on the first working day of each month; SRE: paid at end of month for current month)","required_documents":["French social security number (numéro de sécurité sociale)","Career statement (relevé de carrière) — available online at lassuranceretraite.fr","Valid ID or passport","Bank details (RIB — Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) for French or foreign bank account","Proof of residence abroad (utility bill, official document)","Birth certificate","Marriage/divorce/death certificates if applicable (for survivor pensions)","Proof of foreign pension entitlements if applicable (for totalization)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"lassuranceretraite.fr personal account accessible worldwide for career tracking, pension simulation, certificate of life submission, and pension management. info-retraite.fr provides unified multi-scheme access. agirc-arrco.fr for supplementary pension management. French consulates no longer issue life certificates (since 2001 circular); retirees in the US must use notary public or the biometric app.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual certificat de vie (proof of life/existence certificate) required for all retirees living abroad, regardless of nationality. Since June 2024, French pension funds send QR codes by post or email enabling use of the free 'Mon certificat de vie' biometric smartphone app (Android/Apple) — process completed within 4 days. Alternatively: automatic data exchange with civil registration authorities in 9 countries (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland); on-the-spot check by agreed trusted third party; or certificate endorsed by local competent authority (town hall, police, notary public) and submitted online via lassuranceretraite.fr personal account or by post to Centre de traitement retraite à l'étranger – CS 13 999 Esvres – 37 321 TOURS Cedex 9. One certificate covers all French pension schemes simultaneously. Non-submission within deadline (1–2 months from notification) suspends all pension payments.","international_contact":{"phone":"CNAV Service Relations Internationales; Phone: +33 9 71 10 39 60; CLEISS: +33 1 45 26 33 41; Address: 11 rue de la tour des Dames, 75436 Paris cedex 09"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"French (official); English available for international inquiries via CLEISS and some Carsat offices","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Régime Général (CNAV) — Private Sector Basic Pension","type":"state","description":"Core mandatory basic pension for private-sector employees, self-employed (SSI), and agricultural workers (MSA aligned scheme). Calculated as 50% of average of best 25 years' salary up to the Social Security ceiling (PASS = €48,060/year in 2026). Managed by CNAV nationally and Carsat regionally. Basic pension indexed +0.9% from 1 January 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.lassuranceretraite.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"1 validated quarter entitles to a partial pension; 15 years (60 quarters) required to receive any pension before age 67; full rate requires 172 quarters (43 years) for those born 1965+ (phased in; some relief for 1964–1968 cohorts under LFSS 2026)","contributionRateEmployee":"6.90% on capped salary (up to PMSS €4,005/month in 2026) + 0.40% on uncapped salary","contributionRateEmployer":"8.55% on capped salary + 2.11% on uncapped salary (increased from 2.02% in 2025; total basic old-age: 15.45% capped)"},{"name":"AGIRC-ARRCO — Private Sector Mandatory Supplementary Pension","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory points-based complementary pension for all private-sector and agricultural employees (merged from AGIRC and ARRCO in January 2019). Point value: €1.4386 (frozen since November 2024; next negotiation autumn 2026). Point purchase price (reference salary): €20.1877 (2026). Covers salary up to 8x PASS (€384,480/year in 2026). Solidarity coefficient (malus -10%) fully abolished April 2024 for all retirees.","officialUrl":"https://www.agirc-arrco.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Points accumulate from first contribution; no minimum vesting period for partial pension","contributionRateEmployee":"3.15% (Tranche 1, up to PASS €48,060) + 8.64% (Tranche 2, €48,060–€384,480); call rate of 127% applies (actual contributions higher than contractual rate used for point calculation)","contributionRateEmployer":"4.72% (Tranche 1) + 12.95% (Tranche 2); plus CEG 1.29%/0.86% (T1/T2), CET 0.21%/0.14% (above PASS)"},{"name":"RAFP — Additional Public Service Pension (Régime Additionnel de la Fonction Publique)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory funded points-based supplementary scheme for civil servants (state, territorial, hospital) and magistrates, introduced in 2005. Contributions based on non-pensionable elements of remuneration (bonuses, allowances) up to 20% of index-linked salary. Can be taken as lump sum or annuity.","officialUrl":"https://www.rafp.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum; points accumulate from first contribution","contributionRateEmployee":"5% on non-pensionable elements of remuneration","contributionRateEmployer":"5% on non-pensionable elements of remuneration"},{"name":"SRE — State Civil Servants Basic Pension (Service des Retraites de l'État)","type":"state","description":"Basic defined-benefit pension for permanent state civil servants (fonctionnaires de l'État), magistrates, and military. Calculated at 75% of final index-linked salary for a full career. Managed by the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP). Indexed +0.9% from 1 January 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgfip/retraites-etat","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"2 years minimum service for entitlement; full rate requires same contribution period as general scheme (172 quarters for 1965+ cohort, with LFSS 2026 adjustments for 1964–1968 cohorts)","contributionRateEmployee":"11.10% (on pensionable salary)","contributionRateEmployer":"74.28% (state employer contribution rate, 2024; 2026 rate to be confirmed by decree)"},{"name":"CNRACL — Territorial and Hospital Employees Pension","type":"state","description":"Basic defined-benefit pension for permanent local government (territorial) civil servants and hospital public service employees. Similar rules to SRE. Managed by Caisse des Dépôts. Indexed +0.9% from 1 January 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.caissedesdepots.fr/cnracl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"2 years minimum service; full rate requires same contribution period as general scheme (with LFSS 2026 adjustments)","contributionRateEmployee":"11.10% (2024)","contributionRateEmployer":"30.65% (2024)"},{"name":"MSA — Agricultural Workers Pension (Mutualité Sociale Agricole)","type":"state","description":"Basic pension for salaried agricultural workers (aligned with CNAV rules) and non-salaried farm operators, collaborators, and family helpers (separate calculation). Also covers AGIRC-ARRCO supplementary for salaried agricultural workers. Indexed +0.9% from 1 January 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.msa.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Same as CNAV for salaried; specific rules for non-salaried","contributionRateEmployee":"Same as CNAV for salaried agricultural workers","contributionRateEmployer":"Same as CNAV for salaried agricultural workers"},{"name":"CNAVPL — Liberal Professions Basic Pension","type":"state","description":"Basic pension for liberal professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, etc.) coordinated by CNAVPL with 10 affiliated section-specific funds (CARMF for doctors, CNBF for lawyers, CIPAV for other liberal professions, etc.).","officialUrl":"https://www.cnavpl.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Same qualifying conditions as general scheme","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by section; typically 8.23%–10.65% on income up to PASS + reduced rate above","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"SSI — Self-Employed and Artisans Pension (Sécurité Sociale des Indépendants)","type":"state","description":"Basic and supplementary pension for artisans, traders, micro-entrepreneurs, self-employed, SNC/EURL managers, SARL majority managers. Integrated into the general scheme (CNAV) since 2020 for basic pension calculation. Contribution rates vary by income level.","officialUrl":"https://www.secu-independants.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Same as CNAV","contributionRateEmployee":"~17.75% combined basic + supplementary on income up to PASS (2026: €48,060); reduced rates for micro-entrepreneurs; liberal professions vary by section (8–17%)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"CFE — Voluntary Expatriate Pension (Caisse des Français de l'Étranger)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary scheme allowing French citizens and EU/EEA/Swiss nationals living and working abroad (not covered by local mandatory social security) to maintain French basic pension rights (CNAV) and optionally supplementary pension rights (via Expat'CFE Humanis pack with Malakoff Humanis for AGIRC-ARRCO equivalent). Contributions are lower than the standard French regime. Eligibility requires prior affiliation to a French mandatory scheme for at least 6 months. Retirees with at least 20 quarterly contributions can also join for health coverage.","officialUrl":"https://www.cfe.fr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 6 months prior French compulsory contributions to join; quarters validated count toward French pension","contributionRateEmployee":"Rates based on declared salary/income; competitive rates below standard French regime; varies by age and family composition","contributionRateEmployer":"Employer can co-contribute; rates negotiated"}],"cross_border_notes":["EC 883/2004 & 987/2009 coordination applies for all EU/EEA/Switzerland. Person receiving pension from multiple EU states taxed only in country of residence on request under most DTAs.","Under most French DTAs (OECD Article 18 model): private pensions (CNAV, AGIRC-ARRCO) taxed only in country of residence. Government service pensions (SRE, CNRACL) taxed only in France (source country). US-France DTA Article 20: US Social Security taxed only in France — an unusual provision.","CFE (Caisse des Français de l'Étranger) allows French citizens and EU/EEA/Swiss nationals abroad to voluntarily maintain French social security coverage including basic pension rights (CNAV) and supplementary pension (via Expat'CFE Humanis pack). Requires minimum 6 months prior French compulsory contributions.","France has over 40 different pension schemes. The unified Info-Retraite portal (info-retraite.fr) consolidates all schemes for career tracking and pension simulation. The LURA system (since July 2017) provides a single pension claim for workers who contributed to multiple 'aligned' basic schemes (CNAV, MSA salaried, SSI).","CSG/CRDS/CASA social contributions withheld on pension income for French tax residents at rates based on household reference income (RFR) from N-2 year (2026 rates based on 2024 RFR): 8.3% (normal), 6.6% (intermediate), 3.8% (reduced), 0% (exempt). Non-residents exempt from CSG/CRDS on pension income but may pay 3.2% health insurance contribution if covered by French health scheme.","AGIRC-ARRCO solidarity coefficient (malus -10% for 3 years) fully abolished from April 2024 for all existing retirees and from December 2023 for new retirees. The bonus coefficient (10–30% for 2–4 years deferral) also abolished for new retirees from December 2023, except for those born before September 1961 who deferred by 2–4 years before that date.","LFSS 2026 (Social Security Financing Law for 2026, promulgated 30 December 2025): suspends the 2023 pension reform's age increases for those born 1964–1968. Legal retirement age of 64 now applies only to those born from 1969 onward (effective 1 September 2026). Those born 1964–Q1 1965: age frozen at 62y9m with 170 quarters. Those born Q2–Q4 1965: age 63y with 171 quarters. Those born 1966–1968: age 63y3m–63y9m with 172 quarters. Full implementation of 64-year retirement age (for those born 1969+) unchanged.","Progressive retirement (retraite progressive) available from age 60 (from September 2025, per Decree 2025-681 of 15 July 2025) with at least 150 quarters and 40–80% part-time activity, subject to employer agreement. For long-career workers (started before age 16–18), progressive retirement may be accessible from age 58 or 59.","ASPA (Allocation de Solidarité aux Personnes Âgées — minimum solidarity allowance for low-income retirees 65+): €1,043.59/month for single person (January 2026), €1,620.18/month for couple. Requires residence in France for at least 9 months/year; not payable abroad. Subject to estate recovery if estate exceeds €108,586.14 (2026 threshold).","WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset) repealed in the US from January 2025 (retroactive to January 2024) — French pension recipients who also receive US Social Security no longer face reduced US benefits.","France has signed data-exchange agreements with 9 EU countries allowing automatic proof-of-life verification, eliminating the need for annual certificat de vie for retirees in those countries (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland).","Non-resident withholding scale updated for 2026 (BOI-BAREME-000043, 2 April 2026): 0% up to €17,275 annual income; 12% from €17,275 to €50,112; 20% above €50,112 (after 10% standard allowance). Treaty may reduce or eliminate. PASS 2026 = €48,060/year (up 2% from 2025's €47,100).","The 2026 Finance Act raised the flat tax (PFU) on capital income from 30% to 31.4% (new CSG surcharge of 1.4% on dividends and interest). This does NOT affect CSG rates on pension income, which remain at 0%/3.8%/6.6%/8.3% depending on household reference income."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.info-retraite.fr","title":"Open info-retraite.fr","detail":"This is the unified portal across all French schemes — basic and supplementary, private and public. Going scheme by scheme is the slow way; this shows the whole career in one place."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.lassuranceretraite.fr","title":"Sign in with FranceConnect","detail":"If no FranceConnect provider works from abroad, create an account directly with l'Assurance Retraite instead."},{"n":3,"title":"Download your relevé de carrière","detail":"It lists every quarter (trimestre) validated, by year and by scheme. French entitlement is counted in quarters, so this is the document that determines both eligibility and the rate."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.agirc-arrco.fr","title":"Check the supplementary scheme separately","detail":"Private-sector employees also build AGIRC-ARRCO points, which are a substantial part of the total and are recorded as points rather than quarters."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.cleiss.fr","title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF. CLEISS is the French liaison body for international social security and the right contact when a foreign scheme needs French periods confirmed."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"FranceConnect will not authenticate you from outside France","whatToDo":"Create an account directly on lassuranceretraite.fr, which can verify you with your social security number and personal details. Your Carsat (regional office) will also post a relevé de carrière on a written request."},{"symptom":"Quarters are missing for years you know you worked","whatToDo":"Missing quarters are common for short contracts, apprenticeships and work abroad. Payslips are the evidence; a régularisation de carrière is the procedure. Do it before claiming — afterwards it is far slower."},{"symptom":"You cannot find your French social security number","whatToDo":"It is on the carte Vitale and on French payslips. If you never had a carte Vitale, CLEISS or your last employer's payroll records can help trace it."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.info-retraite.fr","portalName":"Info Retraite","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your French social security number (numéro de sécurité sociale, 15 digits) — on a carte Vitale, payslips, or French tax returns.","A FranceConnect identity, or an account created directly with l'Assurance Retraite. FranceConnect accepts several French identity providers, including the tax portal, which often survives a move abroad better than a bank login.","Your French employers and years. France has dozens of schemes by profession, and knowing which one covered you saves a great deal of time."],"couldNotVerify":"Which FranceConnect identity providers currently work for someone with no French address.","documentNameLocal":"Relevé de carrière / Relevé de situation individuelle (RIS)","documentNameEnglish":"Career statement"}},{"country":"Germany","country_code":"DE","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":63,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Germany operates a mandatory pay-as-you-go (PAYG) statutory pension system — the Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung (GRV) — established by Bismarck in 1889 and the world's first formal pension system. The GRV is a points-based earnings-related scheme financed by payroll contributions (18.6% of gross salary in 2025–2026, split equally between employer and employee at 9.3% each), supplemented by substantial federal tax subsidies. All dependent employees and most self-employed are compulsorily insured; civil servants have a separate scheme (Beamtenversorgung). Pension entitlement is calculated by multiplying accumulated Rentenpunkte (pension points) by the current Rentenwert (point value): €40.79/month per point from July 2025, rising to €42.52/month from July 2026 (+4.24%). The contribution ceiling is €96,600/year (2025) and €101,400/year (2026). The Rentenpaket 2025, passed by the Bundestag on 5 December 2025 and approved by the Bundesrat on 19 December 2025 (in force from 1 January 2026), stabilises the pension level at a minimum of 48% of average wages until 2031, introduces Mütterrente III (equalising child-raising credits to 3 years per child regardless of birth year, effective 1 January 2027 with payments from 2028), and establishes the Aktivrente from January 2026, allowing workers past statutory retirement age to earn up to €2,000/month tax-free in non-self-employed work. The Second Occupational Pensions Strengthening Act (BRSG II), also passed on 5 December 2025, expands and simplifies the bAV framework, particularly for SMEs. The Altersvorsorgereformgesetz (Private Pension Reform Act), passed by the Bundestag on 27 March 2026 and approved by the Bundesrat on 8 May 2026, replaces the Riester-Rente with the new Altersvorsorgedepot (AVD) from 1 January 2027 — a capital-market-linked savings depot without mandatory capital guarantees, with revised state subsidies. The Generationenkapital (state-funded capital reserve, often called 'Aktienrente') launched in 2026 with an initial €12 billion injection, growing 3% annually, targeting ~€200 billion by the mid-2030s to help stabilise GRV contribution rates.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/EN/Home/home_node.html","name":"Deutsche Rentenversicherung — Main (English)"},{"url":"https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/EN/International/international_node.html","name":"Deutsche Rentenversicherung — International Section"},{"url":"https://www.eservice-drv.de/SelfServiceWeb/","name":"DRV eService Portal"},{"url":"https://www.eservice-drv.de/eLogin/","name":"DRV eService Login"},{"url":"https://www.rentenservice.de/DLN","name":"Digital Proof of Life (Lebensbescheinigung digital)"},{"url":"https://www.rentenservice.de/LB","name":"Paper Proof of Life Form"},{"url":"https://www.bmas.de/EN/Social-Affairs/Old-age-security-in-Germany/old-age-security-in-germany-art.html","name":"BMAS — Old-Age Security in Germany (English)"},{"url":"https://www.bmas.de/DE/Soziales/Rente-und-Altersvorsorge/Rentenreform-2025/rentenreform-2025.html","name":"BMAS — Rentenreform 2025"},{"url":"https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/07-Pension/pension-application/932968","name":"Federal Foreign Office — How to Apply for German Pension (US)"},{"url":"https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/09-taxes/pension-taxation-962724","name":"Federal Foreign Office — Pension Taxation Information"},{"url":"https://www.finanzamt-rente-im-ausland.de/en/","name":"Finanzamt Neubrandenburg — Tax Office for Non-Residents"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/germany.html","name":"SSA — US-Germany Totalization Agreement"},{"url":"https://www.bafin.de/EN/Verbraucher/Altersvorsorge/bAV/bav_node_en.html","name":"BaFin — Occupational Retirement Provision (bAV)"},{"url":"https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/DE/Rente/Ausland/Ansprechpartner-und-Verbindungsstellen/ansprechpartner-und-verbindungsstellen_node.html","name":"DRV Liaison Offices Abroad"},{"url":"https://verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsverzeichnis/en/leistung/99114028101000","name":"German Pension Portal — Federal Service Directory"},{"url":"https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/DE/Rente/Allgemeine-Informationen/Wissenswertes-zur-Rente/FAQs/Rente/Muetterrente_KEZ/KEZ_Muetterrente-III.html","name":"DRV — Mütterrente III FAQs"},{"url":"https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/pension-package-2025-2397954","name":"Bundesregierung — Rentenpaket 2025 (English)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/de/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/de","system_type":"Bismarckian earnings-related PAYG (Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung), supplemented by voluntary occupational (bAV) and private (Altersvorsorgedepot/Riester transitional, Rürup) pillars","pillar_structure":"Three-pillar system: Pillar 1 (mandatory statutory GRV), Pillar 2 (voluntary/mandatory occupational bAV, strengthened by BRSG II from 2026), Pillar 3 (state-subsidised private pensions: Altersvorsorgedepot from 2027 replacing Riester; Rürup/Basis-Rente for self-employed)","replacement_rate_gross":"53.3% (net, mandatory schemes, OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025 — full career from age 22 at average earnings; gross replacement rate from mandatory GRV is approximately 40–43% for average earners; including voluntary private pensions the net rate rises to 68.0%)","min_qualifying_period":"5 years (60 months Wartezeit) for standard old-age pension (Regelaltersrente). 35 years for early retirement with deductions (Altersrente für langjährig Versicherte). 45 years for penalty-free early retirement (Altersrente für besonders langjährig Versicherte, age 63–65 depending on birth year; age 65 for those born 1964+). 33 years for Grundrente (basic pension supplement for low earners).","min_qualifying_partial":"5 years minimum; partial pension paid proportionally to contribution history","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA coordination (EC Regulation 883/2004): contribution periods from all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland count toward German Wartezeit. Bilateral social security agreements with non-EU countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, India, China, Brazil, Uruguay, and ~20 others) allow period aggregation for eligibility. Each country pays its own pro-rata pension. Periods cannot be combined across multiple bilateral agreements simultaneously (only German periods can be aggregated with one partner country at a time), except under newer agreements (e.g. Brazil, Uruguay) that allow multi-country aggregation.","totalization_partners":["All EU/EEA member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden)","Iceland","Liechtenstein","Norway","Switzerland","United Kingdom","United States","Canada","Australia","Japan","South Korea","Turkey","Israel","Morocco","Tunisia","India","China","Brazil","Uruguay","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Kosovo","Montenegro","Serbia","North Macedonia","Albania","Philippines","Chile","Ecuador","Ukraine","Moldova","Georgia (posting agreement only)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total GRV rate: 18.6% of gross salary (2025–2026). Contribution ceiling: €96,600/year (€8,050/month) in 2025; rising to €101,400/year (€8,450/month) in 2026. East/West distinction in contribution ceiling eliminated from January 2025 — single unified national ceiling applies. Income above ceiling is exempt. Federal subsidies cover approximately 28–29% of total GRV benefits. Contribution rate projected to rise to ~19.8% from 2028 per DRV estimates. Rate capped at 20% by coalition agreement.","employee_pct":"9.3%","employer_pct":"9.3%","self_employed_pct":"18.6% (full rate if compulsorily insured; voluntary contributors choose amount between €103.42–€1,497.30/month in 2026). Mandatory pension for newly self-employed introduced from April 2025 under coalition agreement."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Voluntary contributions for a given calendar year must generally be paid by 31 March of the following year","available":true,"annual_cost":"€103.42–€1,497.30/month (2026 range for voluntary contributions). Contributions are tax-deductible as Sonderausgaben.","benefit_per_year":"Each voluntary contribution year at average earnings generates 1 Rentenpunkt = €42.52/month additional pension (from July 2026; was €40.79/month from July 2025)","eligibility_conditions":"German citizens (including those abroad), EU/EEA nationals, nationals of bilateral-agreement countries with prior German contribution history, and (under the US-Germany agreement) US nationals/stateless persons/refugees meeting certain conditions. Non-EU/EEA nationals without a bilateral agreement may only make voluntary contributions while residing in Germany. Minimum 60 months prior contribution history required for some non-EU nationals. Early retirees may make voluntary contributions until they reach regular retirement age; persons already receiving a full old-age pension are excluded."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"0.5% per month worked beyond statutory retirement age (6% per year); no upper age limit. Employer still pays contributions after normal retirement age but employee is exempt unless they waive the exemption. Aktivrente (from January 2026): workers past statutory retirement age can earn up to €2,000/month tax-free in non-self-employed work.","early_reduction":"0.3% per month of early retirement (permanent, applied via Zugangsfaktor); maximum reduction 14.4% (48 months early). Early retirement from age 63 with 35+ contribution years (with deductions); penalty-free early retirement from age 63–65 with 45+ years depending on birth year (age 65 for those born 1964+)."},"access_options":{"notes":"GRV statutory pension: lifetime monthly annuity only; no lump sum. Occupational pensions (bAV): typically annuity; some DC plans (Direktversicherung) allow lump sum payout depending on contract terms. Altersvorsorgedepot (from 2027): payout rules to be confirmed; capital-market-linked with accumulation and payout phases. Riester pension (legacy): annuity required for at least 85% of capital; up to 30% as lump sum at retirement start. Rürup/Basis-Rente: annuity only, no lump sum, not inheritable. Contribution refund (Beitragserstattung): available to non-EU/EEA nationals who leave Germany permanently, have fewer than 60 months contributions, and wait 24 months after departure; only employee share refunded.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"GRV pension payable worldwide with 5+ years of contributions. EU/EEA portability applies under EC 883/2004. Non-EU: bilateral agreements with 30+ countries. Riester subsidies must be repaid if tax residency moves outside EU/EEA (Altersvorsorgedepot rules on departure TBC). Non-EU non-treaty residents may face pension reductions for certain pension types. Payments made directly to foreign bank accounts; DRV covers transfer fees."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"GRV lump sums not available. bAV lump sums taxed as income in Germany. Contribution refunds (Beitragserstattung) generally not taxed by Germany as they represent return of own contributions; may be taxable in recipient's country.","special_tax_regimes":"Downstream taxation (nachgelagerte Besteuerung) since 2005: GRV contributions 100% deductible since 2023; pension income taxed at cohort-specific taxable share (83.5% for 2025 retirees, 84% for 2026 retirees, rising 0.5pp/year to 100% from 2058). Tax-free portion fixed as a euro amount in first full pension year. Aktivrente (from January 2026): up to €2,000/month earned income tax-free for workers past statutory retirement age in non-self-employed work, subject to social contributions. Grundrente supplement (since 2021): automatic income-tested top-up for low earners with 33+ contribution years, not separately taxable. Altersvorsorgedepot (from 2027): EET principle — contributions deductible as Sonderausgaben, returns tax-free in accumulation, withdrawals taxed in retirement. Basic tax-free allowance (Grundfreibetrag): €12,096 (2025), €12,348 (2026).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Under the US-Germany DTA (2008 protocol): GRV social security pensions and public pensions are taxable only in the recipient's country of residence (not Germany) for US residents. Germany has DTAs with ~90 countries. Under most DTAs, private pensions/annuities are taxable only in the country of residence; government service pensions follow Article 19 (source-country taxation with exceptions for nationals).","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"GRV and most bAV plans do not trigger Form 3520 (foreign trust reporting) as they are not self-directed. Private self-directed pensions may trigger Form 3520 and PFIC (Form 8621) reporting if invested in foreign mutual funds. Foreign account reporting: FBAR and Form 8938 apply if thresholds exceeded. US-Germany Totalization Agreement coordinates Social Security contributions. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) may reduce US Social Security benefits for GRV recipients.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Government service pensions (Article 19 DTA): taxed in source country (Germany) unless recipient is a national/permanent resident of the other state. GRV social security pensions and private pensions (Article 18 DTA): generally taxable only in country of residence. Occupational pensions (bAV): taxed as employment-type income (Versorgungsbezüge) in Germany.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Subject to limited income tax liability (beschränkte Steuerpflicht) for non-residents; taxed from the first euro with no personal allowance unless unlimited tax liability is elected. Taxable share of GRV pension depends on cohort year: 83.5% taxable for pensions starting in 2025; 84% taxable for pensions starting in 2026; increasing by 0.5 percentage points per year until 100% from 2058. The tax-free portion is fixed as a euro amount in the first full pension year and does not change thereafter."},"indexation":{"notes":"GRV pensions are adjusted annually (usually from 1 July) based on the Rentenanpassungsformel, which tracks average wage growth, contribution rate changes, and a sustainability factor. Adjustment applies equally to all GRV pensioners worldwide regardless of residence. July 2025 adjustment: +3.74% (Rentenwert rose from €39.32 to €40.79). July 2026 adjustment: +4.24% (Rentenwert rose from €40.79 to €42.52; Federal Cabinet approved 29 April 2026, Bundesrat approved 12 June 2026). Pension level guaranteed at minimum 48% until 2031 under Rentenpaket 2025. Contribution rate projected to rise to ~19.8% from 2028 to help finance the pension floor guarantee.","method":"Wage-indexed via statutory Rentenanpassungsformel: tracks gross wage growth, adjusted by contribution rate factor and sustainability factor (Nachhaltigkeitsfaktor reflecting ratio of contributors to pensioners)","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"GRV pension points are preserved indefinitely and follow the contributor worldwide; no transfer needed. Pension paid to any bank account globally (DRV covers transfer fees). bAV entitlements remain legally vested after statutory vesting period even if leaving Germany; Direktversicherung policies can often be continued privately or paid at agreed retirement age regardless of residence. Cross-border transfer of bAV to foreign pension schemes is generally not possible. Riester: subsidies repayable on departure from EU/EEA tax residency (Altersvorsorgedepot portability rules TBC). EU/EEA coordination under EC 883/2004 prevents loss of contribution periods. Bilateral agreements with 30+ non-EU countries allow period aggregation for eligibility."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) at least 3 months before desired pension start date. Applications can be submitted online at deutsche-rentenversicherung.de, by post, or in person at a DRV advisory centre. If residing abroad in an EU/EEA/bilateral-agreement country, apply through the local pension authority who forwards to DRV. If residing in a non-agreement country, apply directly to DRV or via German embassy/consulate. Under the US-Germany agreement, a single application to either SSA or DRV is recognised by both. Pension can only be paid retroactively for up to 3 months, so timely application is essential.","advance_timeline":"At least 3 months before desired pension start date","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Completed pension application form (available at deutsche-rentenversicherung.de)","Valid government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID card)","Notarised life and citizenship certificate (Lebens- und Staatsangehörigkeitsbescheinigung) for applicants abroad","Proof of current residence (registration certificate, tax office certificate, or equivalent)","German insurance record (Versicherungsverlauf) if available","Bank account details (IBAN/BIC for EU; SWIFT/account details for non-EU)","Marriage certificate or divorce decree if applicable","Birth certificates of children if claiming child-raising credits","Power of attorney (Vollmacht) if applying on behalf of another person","Death certificate (original) if applying for survivors' pension"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"DRV eService portal (eservice-drv.de) accessible internationally for account management, document downloads, and pension information. Digital proof-of-life submission available worldwide via smartphone/QR code from 2024. Renteninformation (annual pension statement) sent automatically to contributors over 27 with 5+ years of contributions.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual proof of life (Lebensbescheinigung) required for all GRV pensioners residing abroad. Requested annually alongside pension adjustment notification (typically mid-June, deadline mid-August). From 2024, can be submitted digitally (via smartphone/tablet using personalised QR code at rentenservice.de/DLN) or on paper form (rentenservice.de/LB). Paper form can be certified by local authorities (police, municipal offices, pension/health insurers, banks, Red Cross, parish offices), German honorary consuls, or German diplomatic missions. Digital submission is free, secure, and available 24/7. Some countries (e.g. UK) have electronic death-data cross-checking with DRV, reducing the need for annual certificates in most cases.","proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"German (primary); applications from non-agreement countries may be submitted in the applicant's native language per DRV guidance","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung (GRV) — Statutory Pension Insurance","type":"state","description":"Mandatory PAYG earnings-related pension for all dependent employees and certain self-employed. Points-based accrual: one Rentenpunkt per year at average earnings (€45,358 gross in 2025; ~€51,944 in 2026). Rentenwert = €40.79/month per point from July 2025, rising to €42.52/month from July 2026 (+4.24%). Approximately 58.5 million insured (end 2023) and 21.4 million pensioners (mid-2024). Contribution ceiling: €96,600/year (2025), €101,400/year (2026) — unified nationally since 2025 (East/West distinction eliminated). Pension level guaranteed at minimum 48% until 2031 under Rentenpaket 2025. Mütterrente III (from 1 January 2027, payments from 2028): child-raising credits equalised to 3 years (3.0 Entgeltpunkte) per child regardless of birth year, benefiting ~10 million people. Aktivrente (from January 2026): up to €2,000/month earned income tax-free for workers past statutory retirement age in non-self-employed work. Mandatory pension for newly self-employed introduced from April 2025 under CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreement.","officialUrl":"https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/EN/Home/home_node.html","vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"5 years (Wartezeit) — 60 months of insurable activity. Counts: employment contributions, voluntary contributions, childcare periods (up to 3 years per child from 2027 for all birth years under Mütterrente III), unemployment periods, military/civilian service, and periods from EU/EEA/bilateral-agreement countries.","contributionRateEmployee":"9.3% of gross salary (2025–2026)","contributionRateEmployer":"9.3% of gross salary (2025–2026)"},{"name":"Betriebliche Altersversorgung (bAV) — Occupational Pension","type":"occupational","description":"Employer-provided supplementary pension schemes governed by the Betriebsrentengesetz (BetrAVG), significantly reformed by the Second Occupational Pensions Strengthening Act (BRSG II, in force from 1 January 2026). Employees have a legal right to request salary conversion (Entgeltumwandlung). Employers must contribute at least 15% of the converted amount as a mandatory subsidy. Five implementation vehicles: Direktversicherung (direct insurance, most common), Pensionskasse, Pensionsfonds, Direktzusage (book reserve), Unterstützungskasse. Tax-free contribution limit: €8,112/year (2026, = 8% of BBG RV €101,400); social-security-exempt limit: €4,056/year (2026, = 4% of BBG RV). In 2025: tax-free limit €7,728/year, SV-exempt €3,864/year. BRSG II expands the Sozialpartnermodell (pure defined-contribution 'pay and forget' model) to non-tariff-bound companies, introduces opt-out auto-enrolment at company level, and raises the low-earner subsidy (bAV-Förderbetrag) from 2027. Approximately 60% of employees participate. Insolvency protection via PSVaG. From 1 July 2026 (BRSG II): employees returning from unpaid leave (parental leave, illness, sabbatical) have a statutory right to reactivate their bAV on previous terms within 3 months.","officialUrl":"https://www.bafin.de/EN/Verbraucher/Altersvorsorge/bAV/bav_node_en.html","vestingYears":3,"vestingPeriod":"Statutory vesting (§1b BetrAVG): entitlement becomes non-forfeitable after age 21 and at least 3 years from grant of pension commitment (for commitments from 1 January 2018 onwards).","contributionRateEmployee":"Variable; up to 4% of contribution ceiling (€4,056/year in 2026; €3,864/year in 2025) social-security-free via salary conversion; up to 8% (€8,112/year in 2026) tax-free","contributionRateEmployer":"Minimum 15% mandatory subsidy on employee salary-conversion contributions; many employers contribute more"},{"name":"Altersvorsorgedepot (AVD) — New State-Subsidised Private Pension (from 2027)","type":"private","description":"New state-subsidised private pension product replacing the Riester-Rente for new contracts from 1 January 2027. Enacted via the Altersvorsorgereformgesetz (passed Bundestag 27 March 2026, approved Bundesrat 8 May 2026, published BGBl. I No. 156 of 29 May 2026). No mandatory 100% capital guarantee — allows full equity ETF/fund investment. State subsidy: 50% on first €360 contributed per year (max €180), plus 25% on contributions from €360.01 to €1,800/year (max €360), yielding maximum base state subsidy of €540/year. Young savers under 25 receive a one-time €200 starter bonus. Child allowances available (follow Kindergeld entitlement). Costs capped at 1% of effective costs annually. Tax treatment: EET principle — contributions deductible as Sonderausgaben, returns tax-free in accumulation phase, withdrawals taxed in retirement. Existing Riester contracts may continue to be contributed to but no new Riester contracts can be opened from 1 January 2027. Eligibility broader than Riester, with examination underway to extend to self-employed and all working-age persons.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Flexible; minimum not specified; maximum subsidised contribution €1,800/year; additional contributions above this limit possible without subsidy","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Riester-Rente — State-Subsidised Private Pension (legacy, closing to new contracts 2027)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary state-subsidised private pension for employees, civil servants, and certain benefit recipients. Government allowance: €175/year per adult + €300/year per child (€185 for children born before 2008). Requires minimum own contribution of 4% of prior-year gross income. Approximately 16 million contracts (declining). No new Riester contracts can be opened from 1 January 2027 (replaced by Altersvorsorgedepot); existing contracts may continue. Riester subsidies must be repaid if tax residency moves outside EU/EEA.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Minimum 4% of prior-year gross income (less government allowances); minimum €60/year","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Rürup-Rente (Basis-Rente) — Self-Employed Private Pension","type":"private","description":"Tax-advantaged private pension primarily for self-employed, freelancers, and high-earning employees. Contributions 100% deductible since 2023 (within annual caps linked to GRV contribution ceiling). Annuity-only payout; no lump sum or inheritance. Funds cannot be seized by creditors. Growing participation among self-employed, especially following the 2025 coalition agreement introducing mandatory pension obligations for newly self-employed from April 2025. No EU/EEA residency restriction on subsidies (unlike Riester/AVD).","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Flexible; up to statutory deductibility cap (linked to GRV ceiling; 100% deductible since 2023)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Generationenkapital (Aktienrente) — Capital-Funded Reserve Component","type":"state","description":"State-funded capital reserve launched in 2026 as part of Germany's pension reform. The federal government invested €12 billion in 2026, with annual increases of 3%, targeting ~€200 billion by the mid-2030s. Invested globally in capital markets via a dedicated foundation with diversified asset allocation (equities, bonds, and other assets); quarterly public performance reports. Returns are not paid directly to individual pensioners but used to stabilise GRV contribution rates from the mid-2030s onwards. Does not replace the PAYG system but supplements its financing. In its first year (2026), the fund reportedly achieved a return of approximately 7.2%, above initial expectations of 4–5%.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["GRV pension is payable worldwide to any bank account; DRV covers international transfer fees. Payments to non-EU countries may incur currency conversion costs at the recipient's bank.","EU/EEA coordination (EC 883/2004): contribution periods from all EU/EEA states and Switzerland count toward German Wartezeit. Each country pays its own pro-rata pension.","Germany has bilateral social security (totalization) agreements with 30+ non-EU countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, India, China, Brazil, and Uruguay. These allow period aggregation for eligibility but each country pays only for its own periods.","US-Germany Totalization Agreement (in force since 1979): single application to either SSA or DRV is recognised by both. US residents receiving GRV pensions are taxed only in the USA under the 2008 DTA protocol (not Germany). US Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) may reduce US Social Security for GRV recipients.","Riester pension subsidies (government allowances and tax benefits) must be repaid if the holder moves tax residency outside the EU/EEA. No new Riester contracts from 1 January 2027 (replaced by Altersvorsorgedepot). Portability rules for the Altersvorsorgedepot outside EU/EEA are to be confirmed. Rürup/Basis-Rente has no such restriction.","Non-EU/non-treaty residents may face reductions for certain GRV pension types (e.g. pensions based on periods accrued outside today's Federal Republic territory). Seek DRV advice before permanent emigration.","Annual proof of life (Lebensbescheinigung) required for all pensioners abroad; digital submission available worldwide from 2024 via QR code at rentenservice.de/DLN.","Contribution refund (Beitragserstattung): available to non-EU/EEA nationals who leave Germany permanently, have fewer than 60 months of contributions, and wait 24 months after departure. Only the employee's share is refunded; employer share is not returned.","bAV (occupational pension) entitlements are legally vested after statutory vesting period and follow the employee internationally, but cross-border transfer to foreign pension schemes is generally not possible. BRSG II (from 2026) improves flexibility for transitions including unpaid leave periods.","Aktivrente (from January 2026): workers past statutory retirement age can earn up to €2,000/month tax-free in Germany in non-self-employed work. This German exemption is not recognised by the IRS for US tax purposes.","Germany has DTAs with ~90 countries. The DTA with Belarus is suspended from 1 January 2025; the DTA with Russia is partially suspended. UAE DTA expired 31 December 2021 and has not been renewed.","Mandatory pension insurance for newly self-employed introduced under the 2025 CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreement from April 2025, significantly expanding GRV coverage.","Mütterrente III (effective 1 January 2027, payments from 2028): child-raising credits equalised to 3 years per child regardless of birth year, benefiting ~10 million people. No separate application required — DRV adjusts automatically. Retroactive payment for 2027 will be made in 2028.","Taxable share of GRV pension for new retirees: 83.5% (2025 cohort), 84% (2026 cohort), rising 0.5pp/year to 100% from 2058. Tax-free portion fixed as a euro amount in first full pension year and does not change thereafter, even if pension increases.","Altersvorsorgedepot (AVD): new state-subsidised private pension replacing Riester from 1 January 2027. Capital-market-linked (ETFs/funds), no mandatory capital guarantee, costs capped at 1% annually, state subsidy up to €540/year base. Existing Riester contracts may continue."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/EN/International/international_node.html","title":"Open the DRV eService portal","detail":"Deutsche Rentenversicherung administers the statutory pension. The English-language international section is the better entry point if you are outside Germany."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.eservice-drv.de/eLogin/","title":"Register for access","detail":"The online eID route is instant but needs a German ID card and a reader or NFC phone. Otherwise request the postal registration letter — it goes to foreign addresses, so plan for a couple of weeks."},{"n":3,"title":"Request your Versicherungsverlauf","detail":"This is the document that matters: a line-by-line list of every insured month, its employer, and its type. The Renteninformation is the shorter annual summary with projected amounts, and DRV only sends it automatically once you have five years of contributions."},{"n":4,"title":"Run a Kontenklärung if anything is missing","detail":"Kontenklärung is the formal account-clarification procedure for adding missing periods. It is worth doing long before you claim, while employers and universities can still confirm dates."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep the PDF. Under the US–Germany agreement a single application to either DRV or the SSA counts for both, so the German record is also useful evidence in a US claim."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have no German ID card, so the eID route is closed","whatToDo":"Request the postal access key instead — DRV sends it internationally. DRV also runs free advice centres and a telephone service that will send your insurance record by post on request."},{"symptom":"You cannot find your insurance number","whatToDo":"It is on every German payslip and on your social insurance card. DRV can trace it from your name, date and place of birth — the place of birth matters, because the number is derived partly from it."},{"symptom":"Study, child-raising or unemployment years are missing","whatToDo":"These are creditable but are frequently absent until you claim them. Kontenklärung is the mechanism; university enrolment certificates and children's birth certificates are the evidence."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.eservice-drv.de/SelfServiceWeb/","portalName":"Deutsche Rentenversicherung eService","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your German social insurance number (Sozialversicherungsnummer / Rentenversicherungsnummer) — 12 characters, on payslips and on any DRV letter.","A login: either a German ID card with the online eID function, or a registration letter (Zugangsschlüssel) that DRV posts to your address, including addresses abroad.","Your German employers and the years, plus any periods of study, unemployment or child-raising — these can count and are often missing."],"couldNotVerify":"The current delivery time for a postal registration letter to a non-EU address.","documentNameLocal":"Versicherungsverlauf / Renteninformation","documentNameEnglish":"Insurance record / pension information statement"}},{"country":"Greece","country_code":"GR","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":62,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Greece operates a multi-pillar social insurance pension system administered primarily by e-EFKA (Electronic National Social Security Fund), the unified successor to all former Greek social insurance funds. The mandatory first pillar consists of two components: a flat-rate National Pension (state-financed, €426.17/month at 20 years insurance as of the OECD 2025 baseline, uprated 2.4% from January 2026) and an earnings-related Contributory Pension (PAYG defined benefit, based on contributions from 2002 onwards with accrual rates from 0.77% to 2.55% per year). The standard retirement age is 67, with early retirement possible at 62 with 40 years of contributions. The system underwent sweeping reforms during the 2010–2016 fiscal crisis, resulting in fund consolidation, reduced benefits, and higher contribution ages. Retirement age limits are linked to life expectancy from 2027 onwards, but the government confirmed in June 2026 that no increase will occur before 2030.\n\nA second mandatory supplementary pillar exists in two parallel tracks: the legacy e-EFKA supplementary branch (DB/NDC hybrid for those insured before 2022) and the new Hellenic Auxiliary Pensions Defined Contributions Fund (TEKA), which became operational in January 2022 and is mandatory for all new labour market entrants from 1 January 2022 and all persons born on or after 1 January 2004. TEKA operates as a fully funded DC scheme with individual accounts managed professionally, and the state guarantees return of contributions in real terms. Voluntary occupational pension funds (Pillar 2, TEA) and individual private insurance arrangements (Pillar 3) supplement the mandatory system. A major reform of the occupational pension framework (Open TEA funds, group pension insurance products, full portability) was under public consultation as of July 2026.\n\nGreece has one of the highest gross pension replacement rates in the OECD, at 79.6% for average earners (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025). Pension indexation, frozen during the crisis years, resumed from 2023 onwards using a formula of min(CPI, 50% CPI + 50% GDP growth). From 2026 onwards, pension increases are calculated using a wage growth index rather than CPI for new pensioners' pensionable earnings valorisation. The 'personal difference' allowance (paid to pre-2016 pensioners whose recalculated pension was lower) is being phased out: reduced by 50% in 2026 and fully abolished from January 2027. Greece also offers a highly attractive 7% flat tax regime for foreign pensioners who transfer their tax residence to Greece, valid for up to 15 years.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.efka.gov.gr","name":"e-EFKA (Electronic National Social Security Fund)"},{"url":"https://www.teka.gov.gr","name":"TEKA (Hellenic Auxiliary Pensions Defined Contributions Fund)"},{"url":"https://ypergasias.gov.gr/en/social-security/insured-persons/insurance-contributions/","name":"Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs — Insurance Contributions"},{"url":"https://ypergasias.gov.gr/en/social-security/pensions/primary-pension/","name":"Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs — Primary Pension"},{"url":"https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/work-and-retirement/social-security-rights-and-obligations-pensions","name":"gov.gr — Pension and Social Security Services"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/greece.html","name":"SSA — US-Greece Totalization Agreement"},{"url":"https://www.idika.gr","name":"IDIKA (Health Insurance Information System)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/gr/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/gr","system_type":"Bismarckian social insurance: flat-rate national pension + earnings-related contributory pension (PAYG DB/NDC) + mandatory funded supplementary DC (TEKA)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1a: e-EFKA National Pension (flat-rate, state-financed, mandatory); Pillar 1b: e-EFKA Contributory Pension (PAYG DB/NDC, mandatory); Pillar 1c: Supplementary Pension — e-EFKA branch (DB/NDC, legacy) or TEKA (funded DC, mandatory for new entrants from 2022); Pillar 2: Occupational Pension Funds / TEA (voluntary DC; Open TEA reform under consultation July 2026); Pillar 3: Individual private pension insurance (voluntary)","replacement_rate_gross":"79.6% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, modelled retirement at age 66 in 2068); net replacement rate 88.5%","min_qualifying_period":"15 years (4,500 contribution days) for national pension at age 67; 40 years (12,000 contribution days) for full unreduced early retirement at age 62","min_qualifying_partial":"15 years insurance + 15 years residence for minimum national pension; reduced national pension possible with 15–20 years insurance (reduced by 2% per year below 20); reduced early pension available at 62 with minimum 15 years insurance (recent insurance connection required)","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA/Switzerland: Insurance periods from all EU member states, EEA countries and Switzerland are fully recognized and totalized toward Greek pension eligibility under EC Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009. The entire foreign insurance period is always taken into account as communicated by the competent foreign institution. Non-EU bilateral agreement countries: aggregation applies per the terms of each bilateral agreement. Note: EU regulations do not coordinate supplementary pensions — TEKA/e-EFKA supplementary pension requires periods completed exclusively under Greek supplementary insurance.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA member states (all 27 EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)","Switzerland","United States (since 01.09.1994)","Canada (revised, since 01.12.1997)","Quebec (revised, since 01.11.2010)","Ontario (specific agreement — industrial accidents and occupational diseases only)","Australia (since 01.10.2008)","Argentina (since 01.05.1988)","Brazil (since 01.09.1988)","Venezuela (since 01.02.1995)","Egypt","Libya (transfer of contributions/pensions for workers)","Syria (limited — Syrian Airlines workers seconded to Greece only)","Serbia"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Monthly insurable earnings cap: €7,572.62 from 1 January 2025; increased to €7,761.94 from 1 January 2026 (per PwC Tax Summaries and OECD data). Total social security contribution rate is 35.16% (unchanged from 2025 to 2026). TEKA contributions (3% employee / 3% employer) are paid separately with a distinct payment ID and collected by e-EFKA then transferred to TEKA. For arduous/unhealthy professions: higher rates apply (employee 16.82%, employer 32.427%), enabling retirement 5 years earlier.","employee_pct":"13.37% total (2025–2026): 6.67% primary pension + 3% supplementary (e-EFKA branch or TEKA) + 2.05% health + 1.65% other branches","employer_pct":"21.79% total (2025–2026): 13.33% primary pension + 3% supplementary (e-EFKA branch or TEKA) + 4.05% health + 1.41% other branches","self_employed_pct":"Fixed monthly amounts by insurance category (6 categories); not linked to declared income since 1 January 2020. Categories chosen annually. Increased from 1 January 2026 per e-EFKA Circular 6/2026 (aligned with 2025 inflation of ~2.6–2.8%)."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":null,"available":true,"annual_cost":null,"benefit_per_year":null,"eligibility_conditions":"Long-term unemployed persons can make voluntary contributions to e-EFKA up to five years prior to retirement. Non-contributory periods can be purchased (bought back) for pension entitlement purposes: 300 days for first child, 600 days for each subsequent child (up to 1,500 days for 3 children). Unemployment periods (up to 300 days) can be recognized as fictitious insurance periods. Conditions: eligibility for old-age pension under post-2011 rules and completion of at least 3,600 working days (12 years)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+0.5% per month (6% per year) for each month of deferral past age 67 (available for self-employed in private sector; not available for public sector workers)","early_reduction":"Reduced pension available from age 62 with minimum 15 years insurance (recent insurance connection required); National Pension component reduced by 1/200th (0.5%) per month short of full retirement age (67). Full unreduced pension available at 62 only with 40 years of contributions."},"access_options":{"notes":"Main pension (e-EFKA primary): lifetime monthly annuity only. Supplementary pension (e-EFKA legacy branch): lump sum benefit available (two-part calculation: DB rules for rights up to 31 December 2013; NDC rules from 1 January 2014). TEKA supplementary pension: lifelong monthly annuity after 15 years of contributions; individuals with fewer than 15 years receive a lump sum of contributions adjusted for inflation. Occupational DC plans (TEA): lump sum or periodic payments available at retirement, taxed at 5%–20% depending on years of participation (contributions from 1 January 2024). Employment after retirement permitted without pension reduction as of 1 January 2024 (previous 30% reduction abolished for post-62 pensioners); working pensioners pay a special 10% contribution on salary to e-EFKA.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension payable worldwide to qualifying contributors. EU portability applies under EC 883/2004. Greece has bilateral agreements with several non-EU countries. Non-resident withholding per applicable DTA. Annual life certificate required for overseas payments. Pensions paid to bank accounts in any EU/EEA country or Switzerland integrated in SEPA system."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Occupational DC plan lump sums (contributions from 1 January 2024): taxed at 5%–20% depending on years of plan participation; early redemption increases rates by 50%. For those enrolled after age 55, rates for participation under 5 years (20% lump sum / 10% periodic) are increased by 5% for each year below the 5-year threshold. Legacy supplementary pension lump sum: taxed under progressive rates. TEKA: individuals with fewer than 15 years of contributions receive a lump sum return of contributions adjusted for inflation (tax treatment follows general rules); those with 15+ years receive annuity only.","special_tax_regimes":"Foreign Pensioners Non-Dom Regime (Article 5B, Law 4172/2013, introduced 2020; updated by Law 5246/2025 effective 1 January 2026): qualifying foreign pensioners who transfer tax residence to Greece pay a flat 7% annual tax on all foreign-sourced income (pensions, dividends, interest, capital gains, rental income from abroad) for up to 15 consecutive years. Requirements: (1) receive foreign pension income; (2) not been Greek tax resident for 5 of the prior 6 years; (3) transfer tax residence from a country with an administrative cooperation agreement or DTA with Greece; (4) spend 183+ days/year in Greece. Application submitted by 31 March each year to Tax Office of Foreign Tax Residents in Athens. Tax paid in one lump sum by last working day of July. DTTs remain applicable; foreign taxes paid may be credited against the 7%. Greek-source income taxed at standard progressive rates. Note: US citizens subject to US worldwide taxation receive limited benefit from this regime. High-Net-Worth Non-Dom Regime (Article 5A): flat €100,000/year on all foreign income for investors with €500,000+ Greek investment; up to 15 years; family members €20,000/year each (streamlined application process introduced under decision A1147/2026).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty. Greece has DTTs with approximately 57–58 countries. Under the US-Greece treaty, private pensions are exempt from taxation by the source state (taxed only in country of residence). Government pensions taxed only by the paying state. Many DTTs (e.g. UK, Netherlands, Canada) exempt pensions in the country of origin and credit income entirely to Greece.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens/green card holders remain subject to US worldwide income taxation regardless of Greek tax treatment. Greek state pension is generally reportable on US tax return; treaty benefits may apply. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to Greek pension accounts. WEP/GPO rules for US Social Security were repealed effective January 2025 (retroactive to January 2024), benefiting those receiving both US Social Security and Greek pension.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Under most DTTs (including US-Greece), government/public service pensions are taxed exclusively by the paying state; private pensions are taxed only in the country of residence.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive rates 9%–44% on Greek-source pension income for non-residents (subject to applicable DTA). Standard progressive income tax scale under Law 5246/2025 (effective 1 January 2026): 9% up to €10,000; 22% €10,001–€20,000; 28% €20,001–€30,000; 36% €30,001–€40,000; 39% €40,001–€60,000; 44% above €60,000."},"indexation":{"notes":"Pensions paid abroad are uprated on the same basis as domestic pensions. From January 2026, all pensioners receive a 2.4% increase. The 'personal difference' (paid to pre-2016 pensioners whose recalculated pension was lower) is being phased out: reduced by 50% in 2026 (benefiting ~671,000 pensioners), fully abolished from January 2027 (Law 5264/2025). From 2027, all pensioners receive 100% of annual increases without offset. An annual €250 social support payment in November is available for low-income pensioners over 65 (income thresholds: €14,000 unmarried / €26,000 married).","method":"Annual adjustment using formula: min(CPI, 50% CPI + 50% GDP growth). Indexation was frozen from 2016 to 2022 (crisis period). Resumed from 2023 onwards. Pensions increased 2.4% from January 2025 and 2.4% from January 2026. From 2026 onwards, past earnings valorisation for new pensioners' contributory pension calculation uses annual wage growth index (ELSTAT) instead of CPI, expected to produce 5–10% higher pensions for new retirees.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU/EEA/Switzerland: Full portability under EC Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009. e-EFKA coordinates with EU pension institutions via the EESSI (Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information) system. Insurance periods from all EU/EEA/Swiss institutions are totalized. Pensions payable to SEPA bank accounts across EU/EEA/Switzerland. Non-EU: bilateral agreement terms apply (US, Canada, Quebec, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Egypt, Libya, Serbia). Note: EU regulations do not cover supplementary pensions — TEKA/e-EFKA supplementary requires Greek-only insurance periods. Occupational TEA funds: full portability of accumulated rights when changing jobs is a key feature of the 2026 reform under consultation."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply online at e-EFKA portal (www.efka.gov.gr) using Taxisnet credentials and Greek AMKA (social security number). Upon submission, applicant receives an application number and protocol number. Processing time has dramatically improved: average time to award a main pension fell from ~500 days in 2019 to less than 42 days as of mid-2026 (per Minister Kerameus, July 2026). Digitisation of 53 million handwritten social security stamp cards is being finalised to further accelerate supplementary pension processing. Residents abroad may send pension request to the competent e-EFKA department directly or via the foreign institution (EU/EEA cases via EESSI). For US-Greece totalization claims, can apply at any US Social Security office and request simultaneous Greek claim. e-EFKA International Division handles bilateral agreement cases.","advance_timeline":"Applications can be submitted in advance of retirement date; provisional pension may be granted pending final calculation","payment_frequency":"Monthly (paid at end of each month; January pension paid at end of December as Christmas bonus equivalent). Payments staggered between employee and self-employed pensioner groups.","required_documents":["Greek ID card or passport","AMKA (Greek social security number)","AFM (Greek tax registration number)","Taxisnet account credentials","Birth certificate","Marriage certificate (if applicable)","Employment records and contribution history","Proof of residence","For EU/EEA claims: relevant European forms (E-forms or SED forms via EESSI)","For bilateral agreement claims: relevant bilateral agreement forms","Bank account details (IBAN)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"e-EFKA online portal (www.efka.gov.gr) accessible from abroad using Taxisnet credentials and AMKA. myTEKA portal (www.teka.gov.gr) accessible from abroad for TEKA account holders. EFKA portal interface primarily in Greek; some services available in English. e-EFKA International Division: Phone +30 210-8808779 / +30 210-8808782; Email: ekaa.greece@efka.gov.gr; Address: 28 Oktovriou 54, 10682 Athens, Greece.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual life certificate (Certificate of Life / Attestation de Vita) required for pensioners residing abroad. Obtained through Greek embassy or consulate in country of residence. Virtual appointments available via MyConsulLive platform (video conference with consular employee). In-person appointments also available. Fee approximately €10 (paid in local currency equivalent). After completion, certificate mailed to e-EFKA. Available at Greek embassies/consulates worldwide including Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, London, New York, and others.","international_contact":{"phone":"e-EFKA International Division; Phone: +30 210-8808779 / +30 210-8808782; Email: ekaa.greece@efka.gov.gr; Address: 28 Oktovriou 54, 10682 Athens, Greece"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Greek (primary); English accepted for international/bilateral agreement correspondence with e-EFKA International Division","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Primary Pension (Old-Age) — e-EFKA","type":"state","description":"Main statutory old-age pension with two components: (1) National Pension — flat-rate, state-financed benefit of €426.17/month (OECD 2025 baseline for 20 years insurance and 40 years residence; uprated 2.4% from January 2026). Reduced by 2% per year of insurance below 20 years (minimum €383.55 at 15 years per OECD 2025), and by 1/40 per year of residence below 40 years. Minimum 15 years insurance and 15 years residence required. (2) Contributory Pension — earnings-related, based on contributions from 1 January 2002 to retirement date. Accrual rate varies from 0.77% per year (up to 15 years) to 2.55% per year (36th–40th year), reduced to 0.5% beyond 40 years. Pensionable earnings ceiling: €7,373.53/month (OECD 2025 baseline). Past earnings valorised by CPI up to 2024/2025; by wage growth index from 2025/2026 onwards for new pensioners. Maximum combined pension: approximately €5,900/month. From 1 January 2024, pensions are paid in full for working pensioners (previous 30% reduction abolished); a special 10% contribution on salary applies instead.","officialUrl":"https://www.efka.gov.gr","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years (4,500 contribution days) for national pension at age 67; 40 years (12,000 days) for full unreduced early retirement at 62","contributionRateEmployee":"6.67% (primary pension only); 13.37% total including supplementary and health (2025–2026 rates)","contributionRateEmployer":"13.33% (primary pension only); 21.79% total including supplementary and health (2025–2026 rates)"},{"name":"Auxiliary/Supplementary Pension — TEKA (Hellenic Auxiliary Pensions Defined Contributions Fund)","type":"state","description":"Funded, defined contribution supplementary statutory pension scheme launched January 2022. Mandatory for all persons born on or after 1 January 2004 and all new labour market entrants from 1 January 2022. Also open (optionally) to those born on or after 1 January 1987 who were previously in e-EFKA's supplementary branch (transfer window was 1 January–31 December 2023). Contributions credited to individual accounts, professionally managed with life-cycle investment structure. During the transitional period, contributions are invested in deposits managed by the Bank of Greece; thereafter in a diversified securities portfolio. State guarantees return of contributions in real terms. After at least 15 years of TEKA contributions, participants receive a lifelong monthly supplementary pension (provided they also receive a main pension from e-EFKA). Individuals with fewer than 15 years of TEKA contributions at retirement receive a lump sum of employee and employer contributions adjusted for inflation. Contribution rates: 3% employee / 3% employer (since June 2022). Accounts accessible online via myTEKA portal.","officialUrl":"https://www.teka.gov.gr","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years of TEKA contributions required for lifelong monthly supplementary pension; fewer than 15 years results in lump-sum return of contributions","contributionRateEmployee":"3%","contributionRateEmployer":"3%"},{"name":"Auxiliary/Supplementary Pension — e-EFKA Branch (Legacy)","type":"state","description":"Supplementary pension branch of e-EFKA for those insured before 1 January 2022 (or born before 1 January 2004) who have not switched to TEKA. Managed on a mixed DB/NDC system: DB rules apply for insurance time up to 31 December 2014; NDC rules apply from 1 January 2015 onwards. Eligibility conditions same as main pension. Lump sum benefit also available (two-part calculation: DB rules for accrued rights up to 31 December 2013; NDC rules from 1 January 2014 onwards).","officialUrl":"https://www.efka.gov.gr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"3%","contributionRateEmployer":"3%"},{"name":"Occupational Pension Funds (TEA)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored occupational pension schemes, offered exclusively as Defined Contribution (DC) plans under Greek law. Contributions from employers are not taxed; employee contributions up to 20% of total cash compensation are tax-deductible. For contributions from 1 January 2024 onwards, lump-sum retirement benefits are taxed at 5%–20% depending on years of plan participation; early redemption increases rates by 50%. Regulated under Law 5078/2023 (effective 1 January 2024). A major reform (draft law under public consultation July 2026) proposes: (1) Open TEA funds (umbrella funds accessible to small businesses and self-employed without requiring 100-member threshold); (2) a new group professional pension insurance product (OAPES) supervised by the Bank of Greece with same tax treatment as TEAs; (3) full portability of accumulated rights when changing jobs. The reform aims to expand Pillar 2 coverage across the Greek economy where ~90% of businesses employ up to 10 people.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to 20% of total cash compensation (combined employee+employer)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; employer contributions not taxed"},{"name":"Private Voluntary Pension Insurance","type":"private","description":"Individual voluntary pension insurance arrangements and private insurance plans (Pillar 3). Employees can make tax-deductible contributions to individual private insurance arrangements. Contributions to voluntary occupational insurance funds and qualifying private pension plans that do not exceed 20% of gross employment income are deductible from taxable income. Benefits taxed at retirement under progressive rates or special DC lump-sum rates depending on plan type.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 apply for EU/EEA/Switzerland coordination. EESSI system enables electronic information exchange between social security institutions. All EU insurance periods totalized in full for Greek pension eligibility.","EU regulations do NOT coordinate supplementary pensions. TEKA and e-EFKA supplementary pension require insurance periods completed exclusively under Greek supplementary insurance. Residents abroad living in EU/EEA/Switzerland must contact e-EFKA directly for supplementary pension claims.","Foreign Pensioners Non-Dom Regime (Article 5B, Law 4172/2013, updated by Law 5246/2025 effective 1 January 2026): qualifying foreign retirees who transfer tax residence to Greece pay a flat 7% annual tax on all foreign-sourced income for up to 15 years. Requirements: foreign pension income, non-Greek tax resident for 5 of prior 6 years, transfer from DTA/cooperation agreement country, 183+ days/year in Greece. Application by 31 March annually. US citizens receive limited benefit due to US worldwide taxation rules.","Greek expatriates can claim pensions from abroad through e-EFKA online portal or via consular services. Multiple support services through Greek embassies and consulates worldwide.","Pensions paid to bank accounts in any EU/EEA country or Switzerland integrated in SEPA system. Non-SEPA payments available to bilateral agreement countries.","US-Greece Totalization Agreement in force since 1 September 1994. US citizens can apply for Greek pension at any US Social Security office. WEP/GPO rules repealed effective January 2025 (retroactive to January 2024), benefiting those receiving both US Social Security and Greek pension.","Greece has DTTs with approximately 57–58 countries. Under most DTTs, government pensions are taxed exclusively by the paying state; private pensions taxed only in country of residence. DTTs remain applicable even under the non-dom regime for pensioners.","Employment after retirement permitted without pension reduction as of 1 January 2024 (previous 30% reduction rule abolished for post-62 pensioners). Working pensioners pay a special 10% contribution on salary to e-EFKA and must declare their employment to EFKA.","TEKA (new supplementary DC fund): mandatory for all new labour market entrants from 1 January 2022 and all persons born on or after 1 January 2004. Those born on or after 1 January 1987 already in e-EFKA supplementary insurance could voluntarily switch to TEKA (transfer window: 1 January–31 December 2023). TEKA and e-EFKA contributions paid separately with different payment IDs.","Retirement age frozen until at least 2030: Deputy Labour Minister confirmed in June 2026 that no increase in retirement age will occur in 2027; the next review will not be possible until 2030. Current rules remain: age 62 with 40 years insurance, or age 67 with minimum 15 years insurance.","Personal difference abolition: The 'personal difference' allowance (paid to ~671,000 pre-2016 pensioners) is being phased out — reduced by 50% from January 2026 (Law 5264/2025), fully abolished from January 2027. From 2027, all pensioners receive 100% of annual increases without offset.","Occupational pension reform (Pillar 2): Draft legislation under public consultation until July 27, 2026 proposes Open TEA umbrella funds (accessible to small businesses and self-employed), a new group professional pension insurance product (OAPES) supervised by the Bank of Greece, and full portability of accumulated rights when changing jobs.","Pension processing times dramatically improved: average time to award a main pension fell from ~500 days in 2019 to less than 42 days as of mid-2026. Digitisation of 53 million handwritten insurance records is being finalised to further accelerate supplementary pension processing."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.efka.gov.gr","title":"Open the e-EFKA portal","detail":"e-EFKA is the single social security fund created by merging Greece's previous funds (IKA, OAEE, OGA and others)."},{"n":2,"title":"Log in with Taxisnet","detail":"The same credentials used for Greek tax filing. They are usually retained after leaving Greece, which makes this one of the more accessible southern-European portals from abroad."},{"n":3,"title":"Open your individual insurance account","detail":"It shows insured days (ημέρες ασφάλισης) by employer and year. Greek entitlement is counted in insured days, so the day count is the number that matters."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.teka.gov.gr","title":"Check auxiliary and lump-sum entitlements","detail":"Many Greek employees also have an auxiliary pension, and newer entrants have TEKA accounts. These are separate from the main pension and easy to overlook."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Download the PDF and keep the protocol number of any request you file."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have no AMKA, or it was never issued","whatToDo":"AMKA is required for essentially every interaction with the Greek system. It can be issued through a KEP citizen service centre, and Greek consulates advise on the process from abroad."},{"symptom":"Periods under an old fund are missing","whatToDo":"Pre-merger records were migrated unevenly. Ask e-EFKA for a certificate covering the predecessor fund by name, and keep any old insurance booklet (ένσημα) you still have — it is accepted evidence."},{"symptom":"The portal is Greek-only and the terms are unfamiliar","whatToDo":"gov.gr publishes English guidance on social security services, and e-EFKA's international department handles cases for people living abroad."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.efka.gov.gr","portalName":"e-EFKA","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your AMKA (Greek social security number) and your AFM (tax number).","Taxisnet credentials — the Greek tax portal login, which is what e-EFKA authenticates against.","Your Greek employers and years. Greece merged many separate funds into e-EFKA, so older periods may be recorded under a predecessor fund's name."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether Taxisnet registration is currently possible for someone without a Greek address.","documentNameLocal":"Ατομικός Λογαριασμός Ασφάλισης","documentNameEnglish":"Individual insurance account statement"}},{"country":"Hungary","country_code":"HU","continent":"europe","currency":"HUF","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Hungary operates a mandatory pay-as-you-go (PAYG) defined-benefit social insurance pension system covering all employees and self-employed persons. The statutory retirement age is 65 for both men and women (fully phased in since January 2022). From January 1, 2026, a significant reform came into force: reaching age 65 is no longer an automatic mandatory retirement trigger — workers born from 1961 onward can choose when to retire at or after 65, provided they meet the minimum service requirements. The mandatory private pension fund pillar introduced in 1998 was effectively abolished in 2010–2011, with assets transferred back to the state. The system is financed primarily through social security contributions — employees pay 18.5% of gross earnings (of which approximately 54% is allocated to the Pension Insurance Fund) and employers pay a 13% social contribution tax (of which approximately 71.63% goes to the Pension Insurance Fund) — supplemented by general budget transfers. A 13th monthly pension payment was reintroduced gradually from 2021 and has been paid in full since 2024. In November 2025, the government announced the phased introduction of a 14th monthly pension beginning in February 2026, with the first instalment (one quarter of a full month's pension) paid in February 2026 alongside the 13th-month pension. Pensions were increased by 3.6% as of January 1, 2026, bringing the average monthly pension above HUF 250,000.\n\nPension benefits are calculated as a percentage of average net lifetime earnings (valorised to the year before retirement), with a progressive accrual formula: 43% for the first 15 years of service, +2% per year for years 15–25, +1% per year for years 25–36, +1.5% per year for years 36–40, and +2% per year thereafter. A minimum pension of HUF 28,500/month (unchanged since 2008) applies to those with at least 20 service years. A special 'Women-40' scheme allows women with 40 years of eligibility period (including employment and certain child-care years) to retire at any age without penalty. Since January 2012, pensions in payment are indexed solely to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with an annual adjustment in January and a corrective adjustment in November if actual inflation exceeds the budgeted rate. The net replacement rate stands at approximately 78% for men (as cited by the Hungarian government), reflecting the full tax exemption of pension income.\n\nVoluntary supplementary savings are available through Voluntary Mutual Pension Funds (Önkéntes Nyugdíjpénztár), which offer a 20% personal income tax refund on contributions up to a maximum refund of HUF 150,000 per year, and through Pension Savings Accounts (NYESZ), with a 20% PIT refund up to HUF 100,000 per year. The sole occupational pension fund (Foglalkoztatói Nyugdíj) ceased to exist in October 2024. From January 2025, voluntary pension fund savings may also be used tax-free for qualifying housing purposes. Hungary has an extensive network of bilateral social security (totalization) agreements and participates in EU coordination regulations (EC 883/2004). The US–Hungary income tax treaty was terminated effective 1 January 2024, though the US–Hungary totalization agreement (in force since September 2016) remains active.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/","name":"Magyar Államkincstár – Pension (Hungarian State Treasury)"},{"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/pension-payment/payment-of-pensions","name":"Magyar Államkincstár – Payment of Pensions"},{"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/international-cases/","name":"Magyar Államkincstár – International Pension Cases"},{"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/international-cases/data-checking-up-of-beneficiaries-living-abroad","name":"Magyar Államkincstár – Data Checking-Up of Beneficiaries Living Abroad"},{"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/government-securities/securities-account/treasury-pension-savings-account","name":"Magyar Államkincstár – Treasury Pension Savings Account (NYESZ)"},{"url":"https://nav.gov.hu/en","name":"NAV – National Tax and Customs Administration (Hungary)"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/hungary.html","name":"SSA – US-Hungary Totalization Agreement"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/hu/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/hu","system_type":"Bismarckian (Pay-as-You-Go Defined Benefit)","pillar_structure":"Effectively single-pillar: mandatory PAYG DB public pension + voluntary supplements (Voluntary Mutual Pension Funds, Pension Savings Accounts). Mandatory private pillar abolished 2010–2011. The only occupational pension fund ceased to exist in October 2024.","replacement_rate_gross":"~54.8% for average male earner (OECD 2024); net replacement rate ~78% for men (pension income exempt from PIT and social contributions in Hungary)","min_qualifying_period":"20 years for full pension (with minimum pension guarantee of HUF 28,500/month); Women-40 scheme requires 40 years of eligibility period (minimum 32 years of gainful activity, reducible to 30 in certain circumstances)","min_qualifying_partial":"15 years for partial pension (no minimum amount guarantee); partial pension only available upon reaching age 65","aggregation_rules":"EC Regulation 883/2004: periods of insurance in EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK counted cumulatively for eligibility; pro-rata benefit calculation. Bilateral totalization agreements apply for non-EU countries. Under the US–Hungary agreement, Hungary requires a minimum of 20 years of combined coverage (with at least some Hungarian coverage) to pay a totalized benefit.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA Member States (via EC 883/2004)","Switzerland","United Kingdom (EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement)","United States","Canada","Quebec (Canada)","Australia","Japan","Korea","India","Albania","Bosnia and Herzegovina","North Macedonia","Moldova","Mongolia","Montenegro","Russia","Serbia","Turkey","Ukraine (via former USSR agreement)","Kosovo (via former Yugoslavia agreement)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employee 18.5% covers pension (~10% effective rate, 54% of total allocated to Pension Insurance Fund), healthcare, unemployment, and work accident components. Employer 13% social contribution tax: ~71.63% allocated to Pension Insurance Fund (~9.3% effective pension rate). Self-employed pay both the 18.5% social security contribution and the 13% social contribution tax on their income. No contribution assessment ceiling. In Hungarian law, employees pay 'social security contributions' (társadalombiztosítási járulék) while employers and self-employed pay 'social contribution tax' (szociális hozzájárulási adó).","employee_pct":18.5,"employer_pct":"13","self_employed_pct":"18.5 (social security contribution) + 13 (social contribution tax) on income base"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"annual_cost":"Voluntary; member-determined contributions to Önkéntes Nyugdíjpénztár or NYESZ","benefit_per_year":"20% PIT tax refund on contributions (up to HUF 150,000 for voluntary pension funds; up to HUF 100,000 for NYESZ); combined maximum refund across all voluntary pension/savings schemes is HUF 280,000 per year","eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary Mutual Pension Funds (Önkéntes Nyugdíjpénztár): open to anyone over 16, including persons living abroad. 20% PIT refund on contributions, maximum refund HUF 150,000/year. Tax-exempt withdrawal after 10 years of membership at retirement age. From January 2025, savings may also be used tax-free for qualifying housing purposes. Pension Savings Accounts (NYESZ): 20% PIT refund up to HUF 100,000/year (requires ≥HUF 500,000 annual contribution to reach maximum). Persons not compulsorily insured may also make voluntary social security contributions to maintain service record."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+0.5% per 30-day period of deferral beyond statutory retirement age (~6% per year). From January 2026, workers may continue working past 65 without mandatory retirement, accruing additional service years and late-retirement bonuses.","early_reduction":"No general early retirement option since 2012. Women-40 scheme: 0% reduction (full pension at any age with 40 years eligibility period). Disability/rehabilitation benefits available for those with reduced working capacity."},"access_options":{"notes":"State pension: lifetime annuity only; no lump sum option. Voluntary pension funds (Önkéntes Nyugdíjpénztár): lump sum or phased/annuity withdrawal available after 10 years of membership at retirement age (tax-exempt); early withdrawal subject to 15% PIT. Minimum pension HUF 28,500/month for those with ≥20 service years (unchanged since 2008). No maximum pension cap. From June 2026, old-age pension can be received without terminating employment or insurance contract.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension payable worldwide to qualifying contributors regardless of country of residence. EU portability applies under EC 883/2004. Non-EU: bilateral agreements with listed countries. Voluntary pension fund withdrawal available after 10 years of membership regardless of residency. Pension paid in HUF; currency conversion risk applies for non-HUF residents."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Voluntary fund withdrawals: tax-exempt if conditions met (≥10 years membership + retirement age reached). Early/non-qualifying withdrawals subject to 15% PIT.","special_tax_regimes":"Pension income exempt from PIT and social security contributions in Hungary. From January 2025, voluntary pension fund savings may be used tax-free for qualifying housing purposes under the Act on Voluntary Mutual Funds (ongoing legislative change, not a one-year measure).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Hungary has DTTs with 60+ countries; pension articles vary by treaty. No DTA with the USA (terminated 1 January 2024); US-Hungary totalization agreement remains in force for social security purposes.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to voluntary pension fund accounts held abroad. US-Hungary income tax treaty terminated 1 January 2024; no treaty protection for US persons on Hungarian-source income. US-Hungary totalization agreement (in force since September 2016) remains active for social security purposes.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"State pension: fully tax-exempt in Hungary. Voluntary pension fund withdrawals: tax-exempt if member for ≥10 years and at retirement age; otherwise 15% PIT applies on taxable portion. Benefits from privately managed pension funds are also tax-exempt.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% (Hungarian state pension benefits are exempt from Hungarian personal income tax and social security contributions for all recipients, resident and non-resident alike)"},"indexation":{"notes":"Prior to 2012, indexation was a mixed wage-price ('Swiss') formula. The abolition of wage-linking means pensions decline relative to average wages over time. The 13th monthly pension (fully restored from 2024) and the 14th monthly pension (phased in from February 2026, first instalment = one quarter of a monthly pension) provide additional purchasing power support beyond CPI indexation. The OECD (2024) notes the net replacement rate is expected to decline from 78.8% at age 65 to 65.4% by age 80 due to CPI-only indexation.","method":"CPI-only indexation since January 2012. Annual adjustment in January based on budgeted CPI for the year (e.g., 3.6% increase applied January 2026). Corrective adjustment in November if actual CPI exceeds budgeted CPI (pensioners' CPI used if higher). No wage-linking. Pensions paid abroad receive the same indexation as domestic pensions.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU regulations (EC 883/2004): full portability within EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK; periods aggregated, pro-rata benefits paid by each country. Bilateral totalization agreements with non-EU countries listed above. Hungarian state pension exportable worldwide to qualifying contributors. Voluntary pension fund balances remain in Hungary but benefits payable abroad."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to the Government Office of the place of residence (for domestic claims) or the Government Office of the Capital City Budapest (for international/cross-border claims). The Pension Payment Directorate of the Hungarian State Treasury (Nyugdíjfolyósító Igazgatóság, 1139 Budapest, Váci út 73) is responsible for paying pensions. EU/EEA residents may submit through their local social security authority under EC 883/2004. Non-EU residents outside bilateral agreement countries must apply directly to the Pension Payment Directorate. Claims can be submitted in person, by post, or electronically (if resident in Hungary). From June 2026, it is possible to receive an old-age pension without terminating the employment or insurance contract.","advance_timeline":"Applications should be submitted at or before reaching retirement age; the Pension Payment Directorate begins payment within 10 working days of receiving the determination from the pension authority.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (paid in the current month; e.g. March pension paid in March). Benefits paid in HUF.","required_documents":["TAJ card (Hungarian social security number)","Hungarian ID card or passport","Employment records / labour book (munkakonyv)","Completed pension claim form (standard form from pension authority)","Certified/notarised signature if not submitting in person","Documents relating to foreign insurance periods (for international cases)","Bank account details for payment","Supplementary form for self-employment periods (if applicable)","Supplementary form for child-related periods (if applicable)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Magyar Államkincstár website (allamkincstar.gov.hu) provides information and forms accessible internationally. Electronic submission available for residents in Hungary. Non-residents must submit paper applications by post or in person.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual data verification (proof of life) form sent to pensioners living abroad, typically in March. Must be returned within one month, accurately completed, signed, and authenticated by a public notary, pension insurance body, foreign authority, pension fund, payment service provider, or Hungarian diplomatic mission/consular post. If staying in a health or social institution, the head of the institution or their doctor may also certify. Failure to return suspends payment; retroactive payment for up to 5 years if entitlement subsequently proved. Pensioners registered in Australia or Germany are exempt from the form requirement due to automatic data exchange agreements with those countries' pension insurance bodies.","international_contact":{"phone":"Országos Nyugdíjbiztosítási Főigazgatóság (ONYF) International Division, Pension Payment Directorate (NYUFIG), 1139 Budapest, XIII. Váci út 73, Hungary"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Hungarian (official); EU official languages accepted for international cases under EC 883/2004","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Social Insurance Pension (Társadalombiztosítási Nyugdíj)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory PAYG defined-benefit scheme covering all employees and self-employed. Benefit calculated as a percentage of average valorised net lifetime earnings: 43% for first 15 years of service, +2%/year for years 15–25, +1%/year for years 25–36, +1.5%/year for years 36–40, +2%/year above 40. Minimum pension HUF 28,500/month (unchanged since 2008) for those with ≥20 service years. 13th monthly pension paid in full since 2024; 14th monthly pension being phased in from February 2026 (first instalment: one quarter of a full month's pension). Women-40 scheme allows penalty-free retirement at any age with 40 years of eligibility period. From January 2026, reaching age 65 is no longer an automatic mandatory retirement trigger — workers born from 1961 onward may choose when to retire at or after 65. From June 2026, old-age pension can be received without terminating employment or insurance contract.","officialUrl":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years for partial pension (no minimum amount guarantee); 20 years for full pension with minimum guarantee","contributionRateEmployee":"18.5% (total social security contribution; ~54% allocated to Pension Insurance Fund, ~10% effective pension rate)","contributionRateEmployer":"13% (social contribution tax; ~71.63% allocated to Pension Insurance Fund, ~9.3% effective pension rate)"},{"name":"Voluntary Mutual Pension Funds (Önkéntes Nyugdíjpénztár)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary DC individual accounts with a 20% personal income tax refund on annual contributions, capped at HUF 150,000 refund per year. Withdrawals are tax-exempt after 10 years of membership and upon reaching retirement age. Available to anyone over 16, including persons living abroad. Assets managed by member-owned mutual funds. From January 2025, voluntary fund savings may also be used tax-free for qualifying housing purposes under the Act on Voluntary Mutual Funds.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years for tax-exempt withdrawal","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; no statutory minimum","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary employer top-up possible"},{"name":"Occupational Pension Scheme (Foglalkoztatói Nyugdíj)","type":"occupational","description":"Employer-sponsored DC scheme regulated under EU occupational pension law (IORP Directive). The only such fund in Hungary ceased to exist in October 2024. The scheme exists in law but has no active funds as of late 2024.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; employer-determined"},{"name":"Pension Savings Accounts (Nyugdíj-előtakarékossági Számla, NYESZ)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual DC savings accounts (securities accounts) with tax incentives: 20% PIT refund on contributions, up to HUF 100,000 refund per year (requires annual contributions of at least HUF 500,000 to reach the maximum refund). Accessible tax-free at retirement age after minimum holding period (for accounts opened after January 1, 2013). Separate from voluntary pension funds. Available through the Hungarian State Treasury (NYESZ-R) and commercial providers. Combined maximum PIT refund across all voluntary pension/savings schemes is HUF 280,000 per year.","officialUrl":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/government-securities/securities-account/treasury-pension-savings-account","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; no statutory minimum","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC Regulation 883/2004 applies; Hungary is a Type A Member State (pays independent pension if qualifying periods met without aggregation, and pro-rata pension using aggregation).","US–Hungary income tax treaty (DTA) terminated effective 1 January 2024; withholding tax exemptions under the old treaty ceased. US–Hungary totalization agreement (in force since 1 September 2016) remains active for social security/pension purposes.","Pre-2021 UK periods: EU Coordination Regulations apply; post-2020 UK periods: EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement apply.","Hungary has bilateral social security agreements with Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada (and Quebec), India, Japan, Korea, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine (via USSR agreement), Kosovo (via Yugoslavia agreement), and the United States.","Voluntary pension fund (Önkéntes Nyugdíjpénztár) balances are inheritable and payable to designated beneficiaries regardless of residency.","From January 2025, voluntary pension fund savings may be used tax-free for qualifying housing/mortgage purposes under the Act on Voluntary Mutual Funds (ongoing legislative change).","14th monthly pension being phased in from February 2026 (first instalment = one quarter of a full month's pension paid in February 2026 alongside the 13th-month pension). Full phase-in timeline mirrors the gradual introduction of the 13th-month pension.","The only occupational pension fund (Foglalkoztatói Nyugdíj) in Hungary ceased to exist in October 2024; the scheme exists in law but has no active funds.","From January 1, 2026, reaching age 65 is no longer an automatic mandatory retirement trigger; workers born from 1961 onward may choose when to retire at or after 65 with 20 years of service. From June 2026, old-age pension can be received without terminating employment.","OECD (2024) has recommended Hungary consider raising the statutory retirement age and reforming the Women-40 scheme to improve long-term fiscal sustainability. Without reform, pension expenditure is projected to increase by 4.3% of GDP by 2070.","Minimum pension remains HUF 28,500/month — unchanged since 2008, making it the second lowest in the OECD as a percentage of gross average earnings (OECD 2024)."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/","title":"Start at the Treasury's pension pages","detail":"The Hungarian State Treasury administers pensions; the Pension Payment Directorate handles payments, including abroad. The English pages are the better entry point."},{"n":2,"title":"Request your service-time certificate","detail":"The certificate lists your recognised service time (szolgálati idő) — the years that determine eligibility. You can request it well before pension age, and it is the document to check for gaps."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/international-cases/","title":"Use the international channel if you live abroad","detail":"Cross-border cases are handled by the Government Office of the Capital City Budapest rather than a local office."},{"n":4,"title":"Check pre-1998 and private-fund periods","detail":"Hungary reversed its mandatory private pillar in 2010-11 and most members were returned to the state system. If you were in a private fund, confirm how those years are now recorded."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/international-cases/data-checking-up-of-beneficiaries-living-abroad","title":"Save the certificate","detail":"Keep it. If you are already receiving a Hungarian pension abroad, note that the Treasury runs an annual data check for beneficiaries living outside Hungary."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot register for Ügyfélkapu from abroad","whatToDo":"Hungarian consulates can register you. The Treasury also accepts written requests by post for a service-time certificate, which needs no online identity."},{"symptom":"Employment before 1990 is missing","whatToDo":"Records from state enterprises that no longer exist were transferred to archives. The Treasury can search them, but the request must name the employer as precisely as possible."},{"symptom":"You never had a TAJ number","whatToDo":"If you worked legally in Hungary, one was issued. It appears on Hungarian payslips and health documents; the Treasury can trace it from your name, mother's name and date of birth."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/en/Pension/","portalName":"Magyar Államkincstár (Hungarian State Treasury)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Hungarian TAJ number (social insurance number) and your personal identification data as registered in Hungary.","An Ügyfélkapu / Ügyfélkapu+ account for online services, or willingness to use the postal route.","Your Hungarian employers and years, including any state-owned predecessor names."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the service-time certificate can be requested fully online, or requires the postal form for applicants abroad.","documentNameLocal":"Nyugdíjbiztosítási hatósági bizonyítvány","documentNameEnglish":"Official certificate of pension insurance periods"}},{"country":"Indonesia","country_code":"ID","continent":"asia","currency":"IDR","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":59,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"Indonesia operates BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (formerly Jamsostek), a mandatory social security system providing old-age savings (JHT – Jaminan Hari Tua), pension insurance (JP – Jaminan Pensiun), work accident insurance (JKK), death benefits (JKM), and job-loss insurance (JKP). JHT is a mandatory defined-contribution provident fund paying a lump sum at retirement or qualifying events; JP is a defined-benefit pension program introduced in 2015 paying a monthly annuity after 15 years of contributions (or a lump sum if fewer). Both are administered by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan under Law No. 24 of 2011 and regulated by Government Regulation No. 45 of 2015. Coverage is mandatory for all formal sector workers; informal sector coverage is being expanded. As of May 2025, OJK recorded approximately 23.47 million mandatory pension participants and 5.38 million voluntary pension participants.\n\nThe JP retirement age is 59 as of January 2025 (confirmed for 2026), rising by one year every three years until it reaches 65 in 2043, per PP No. 45/2015. The JP wage ceiling for contribution calculation is adjusted annually based on the prior year's GDP growth rate; effective March 2026, the ceiling is IDR 11,086,300 per month (reflecting Indonesia's 5.11% GDP growth in 2025). Monthly JP pension benefits for 2026 range from IDR 411,400 (minimum) to IDR 4,932,300 (maximum). The Indonesian Ministry of Finance estimates replacement rates of approximately 14.5% from BPJS-JP and 12.6% from BPJS-JHT under a realistic 32-year service scenario. The JKP (job loss insurance) program was significantly reformed under PP No. 6 of 2025 (effective February 7, 2025), raising benefits to a flat 60% of salary for six months and reducing the contribution rate from 0.46% to 0.36%. Tapera (mandatory housing savings) reached full enforcement for private sector employees in 2026 at a total rate of 3% (0.5% employer, 2.5% employee).\n\nVoluntary supplementary pensions are available through employer pension funds (DPPK) and financial institution pension funds (DPLK), supervised by the Financial Services Authority (OJK). OJK's POJK No. 35/2024 (effective March 2025) expanded DPLK eligibility to investment management companies, with PT Sinarmas Asset Management becoming the first asset manager to establish a DPLK in June 2026. Civil servants and military personnel are covered by separate schemes (Taspen and Asabri respectively), with the Ministry of Finance exploring a transfer of civil servant pension payment functions to the Directorate General of Treasury.","has_totalization_treaties":false,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","name":"BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Official)"},{"url":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id/en","name":"BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (English)"},{"url":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id/jmo/","name":"JMO – Jamsostek Mobile App (BPJS)"},{"url":"https://asik.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","name":"LAPAK ASIK – Online Claims Portal"},{"url":"https://ojk.go.id/en/kanal/iknb/Pages/Dana-Pensiun.aspx","name":"OJK – Pension Fund Supervision"},{"url":"https://www.pajak.go.id/en/income-tax-article-26-income-tax-foreign-taxpayers","name":"Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) – Article 26 / e-SKD"},{"url":"https://www.bptapera.go.id","name":"BP Tapera – Housing Savings Program"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/id/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/id","system_type":"Mixed: Mandatory defined-contribution provident fund (JHT) and mandatory defined-benefit pension (JP), both administered by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan; supplemented by voluntary occupational (DPPK) and financial institution (DPLK) pension funds supervised by OJK","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: BPJS Ketenagakerjaan – JP (mandatory DB pension) + JHT (mandatory DC provident fund); Pillar 2: Dana Pensiun – DPPK (employer pension funds, voluntary occupational) and DPLK (financial institution pension funds, voluntary; now open to asset managers under POJK 35/2024); Pillar 3: Individual savings and private insurance","replacement_rate_gross":"~27% combined (14.5% JP + 12.6% JHT) under 32-year service scenario per Ministry of Finance (2024); maximum ~53.5% for full career to age 65","min_qualifying_period":"JP: 15 years (180 months) for monthly pension benefit; JHT: no minimum for full withdrawal at retirement/departure; 10 years for partial withdrawal (10% or 30%)","min_qualifying_partial":"JHT: 10 years of participation for partial withdrawal (10% general or 30% housing); JP: fewer than 15 years results in lump-sum payment instead of monthly pension; JKP: minimum 12 months of contributions within 24-month period before layoff","aggregation_rules":"Indonesia has no comprehensive bilateral social security totalization agreements in force. Indonesia is not party to any US or major EU totalization agreement. Contribution periods from other countries generally cannot be aggregated with Indonesian periods for JP benefit qualification. Foreign workers from countries without bilateral agreements who contributed to JP may receive a refund of JP contributions upon permanent departure. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan has limited MOU-level cooperation with some countries for migrant worker protection, but these do not constitute full totalization agreements.","totalization_partners":[],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"JP wage ceiling adjusted annually by prior-year GDP growth rate per PP No. 45/2015. Effective March 2026: IDR 11,086,300/month (up from IDR 10,547,400 in 2025), reflecting Indonesia's 5.11% GDP growth in 2025. JHT has no salary cap. BPJS Kesehatan (health): 4% employer + 1% employee, capped at IDR 12,000,000/month salary base. JKP contribution rate reduced from 0.46% to 0.36% under PP No. 6/2025 (Permenaker No. 3/2025). Tapera (housing savings) became mandatory for all private sector employees in 2026 at 3% total (0.5% employer + 2.5% employee). All BPJS contributions due by the 15th of the following month; 2% per month penalty for late payment.","employee_pct":"JHT: 2% (no cap); JP: 1% (capped at IDR 11,086,300/month from March 2026); Tapera: 2.5%; BPJS Kesehatan: 1% (capped at IDR 12,000,000/month salary base); Total mandatory: ~6.5%","employer_pct":"JHT: 3.7% (no cap); JP: 2% (capped at IDR 11,086,300/month); JKK: 0.24%–1.74% (risk-based); JKM: 0.3%; Tapera: 0.5%; BPJS Kesehatan: 4% (capped); Total mandatory: ~10.74%–12.24%+","self_employed_pct":"Self-employed may voluntarily contribute to JHT (5.7% total, self-funded) and JP (3% total, self-funded) as non-wage recipients (BPU segment). Tapera: 3% self-funded (mandatory from 2026 for qualifying self-employed)."},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"annual_cost":"Flexible; DPLK contributions set by participant (minimum IDR 50,000/month; can be suspended without penalty); employer DPPK contributions typically 6–8% of salary","benefit_per_year":"DPLK: defined-contribution; benefit depends on contributions and investment returns. DPPK DB: accrual rate varies by plan (maximum 2.5% of salary per year of service, up to 80% overall per ILO/OJK rules). Employer DPPK contributions can offset statutory severance obligations if fund balance equals or exceeds severance entitlement.","eligibility_conditions":"DPLK (Dana Pensiun Lembaga Keuangan): open to any individual regardless of employment status; managed by OJK-supervised banks, life insurance companies, or (from March 2025) investment managers with minimum AUM of IDR 25 trillion. DPPK (Dana Pensiun Pemberi Kerja): employer-established occupational funds. Self-employed and informal workers may also voluntarily join BPJS Ketenagakerjaan as BPU (non-wage recipient) participants for JHT and JKK/JKM coverage."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"JP: benefit may be deferred; participants who continue working past pension age may start receiving JP benefits at pension age or upon cessation of employment, but must begin receiving benefits no later than 3 years after reaching pension age. Pension benefits increase annually per CPI indexation regulation without requiring additional contributions.","early_reduction":"JP: no formal early retirement reduction — participants who have not reached pension age but have been unemployed for 6+ months with at least 5 years of contributions may access JHT early. JP monthly pension only available from pension age (59 in 2025–2027); those with fewer than 15 years receive lump sum instead of monthly pension."},"access_options":{"notes":"JHT (old-age savings): paid as lump sum upon retirement, resignation (after 1-month wait), layoff, permanent disability, death, or permanent departure from Indonesia. Partial withdrawals: 10% after 10 years (general preparation) or 30% after 10 years (housing purchase). JP (pension security): monthly annuity from pension age (59 in 2025–2027) with minimum 15 years of contributions; lump sum if fewer than 15 years. JHT paid as lump sum or monthly installments (up to 5 years if balance > IDR 3 million). DPLK/DPPK: lump sum if savings < IDR 500M (DC) or monthly benefit < IDR 1.6M (DB); otherwise 20% lump sum + periodic payments or annuity.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Foreign workers: JHT lump-sum withdrawal available upon permanent departure from Indonesia. Required documents: BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership card, signed statement confirming permanent departure, valid passport. JP contributions by foreign workers are generally refundable on departure (foreign workers are typically excluded from JP). Processing through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan regional office or online via LAPAK ASIK portal. Tapera contributions also refunded to foreign workers upon departure."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"JHT withdrawal: if paid in year 1 or 2, taxed at final progressive rates under Article 21; if paid in year 3 or later, subject to PPh 21 progressive rates under Article 17. Partial withdrawals may trigger progressive tax on subsequent withdrawals if interval exceeds 2 years. BPJS contributions into pension and old-age security programs are not subject to income tax on contributions. Non-resident pension income subject to 20% Article 26 withholding (reducible under applicable DTAs).","special_tax_regimes":"Expatriate resident taxpayers meeting specific job type and skill criteria may apply to be taxed only on Indonesia-sourced income for up to 4 fiscal years from becoming an Indonesian tax subject. DPLK contributions are tax-deductible for employees (up to limits) and tax-deductible business expenses for employers; investment returns grow tax-deferred within DPLK. Government PPh 21 DTP (tax borne by government) applies to employees in five labor-intensive sectors (footwear, textile/apparel, furniture, tourism, leather) under PMK-105/2025 for the 2026 fiscal year.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; US-Indonesia DTA caps pension withholding at 15% for US residents. Other treaty partners may have different rates. Treaty relief requires Certificate of Domicile (SKD/DGT form) registered via e-SKD system on pajak.go.id.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"No US-Indonesia totalization agreement exists. US persons with BPJS accounts may have FBAR/FATCA reporting obligations depending on account balances. Indonesia-US DTA (1988) covers pension income; US residents receiving Indonesian pension income may claim treaty benefit to cap withholding at 15% with valid Certificate of Domicile.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No formal distinction in withholding treatment between government and private pension payments for non-residents; both subject to Article 26 at 20% (or treaty rate). Civil servant pensions (Taspen) are government-sourced but same withholding rules apply to non-residents.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"20"},"indexation":{"notes":"JP benefit indexation is mandated by PP No. 45/2015. Annual proof of life required for overseas pensioners, typically via Indonesian embassy or consulate. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is expanding digital verification options via JMO app. Indexation applies regardless of country of residence, but payment abroad is subject to 20% Article 26 withholding (or treaty rate) and annual proof-of-life verification.","method":"JP pensions in payment are indexed to prices (CPI) annually per regulation. JHT earns government-set investment returns. Pension benefits increase annually without requiring additional contributions.","abroad_status":"conditional"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"JHT can be withdrawn as a lump sum on permanent departure from Indonesia (full portability for foreign workers). JP monthly pension is generally not available to foreign workers (excluded from JP program); JP contributions may be refunded on departure. Indonesian citizens living abroad can receive JP monthly pension subject to 20% Article 26 withholding (or treaty rate) and annual proof-of-life requirements. High portability within Indonesia's formal sector via centralized BPJS Ketenagakerjaan administration — membership follows the worker across employers. DPLK funds may be partially withdrawn upon permanent departure from Indonesia for expatriates. Tapera contributions refunded to foreign workers upon departure from Indonesia."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"JHT claims can be submitted: (1) Online via JMO (Jamsostek Mobile) app (available on Google Play and App Store) for balances up to IDR 15 million — includes biometric face verification; (2) Online via LAPAK ASIK portal (asik.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id) with video call interview for larger claims; (3) In person at nearest BPJS Ketenagakerjaan branch office (online queue via JMO app required before visiting). JP monthly pension claims require visiting a BPJS Ketenagakerjaan branch. Foreign workers claiming JHT on departure should visit a BPJS regional office or use LAPAK ASIK portal with required documents. JKP claims must be filed within 6 months of termination (extended from 3 months under PP 6/2025). Claim status can be tracked via JMO app.","advance_timeline":"JHT: claims can be submitted immediately upon qualifying event (resignation, layoff, retirement, departure); 1-month waiting period applies after resignation/layoff before disbursement. JP: claims submitted at or after pension age (59 in 2025–2027). JKP: must be filed within 6 months of termination date.","payment_frequency":"JP: monthly annuity. JHT: lump sum (or installments up to 5 years if balance > IDR 3 million). JKM: lump sum. JKP: monthly for up to 6 months.","required_documents":["BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership card (KPJ) — digital card available via JMO app","KTP (Indonesian national ID card) or passport (for foreign nationals)","Family card (Kartu Keluarga / KK) — for Indonesian citizens","Bank account passbook or account details (must be in claimant's name; Indonesian bank account not required for overseas recipients)","Employment termination letter, resignation letter, or retirement decision letter","NPWP (Tax ID) — required for balances above IDR 50 million or if partial claim previously made","Signed permanent departure statement (for foreign workers leaving Indonesia)","Medical certificate from treating doctor (for permanent disability claims)","Certificate of heirs from competent authority (for death benefit claims)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"JMO (Jamsostek Mobile) app is accessible internationally for balance checks, JHT claim submission (up to IDR 15 million), contribution simulations, and data updates. LAPAK ASIK portal (asik.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id) also accessible abroad for larger claims via video call verification. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan hotline: 175 (within Indonesia); email: care@bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id. For overseas assistance, contact nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual proof-of-life verification required for JP monthly pension recipients living abroad. Can be completed at the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate in country of residence. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is expanding digital verification options via JMO app and video call interviews.","international_contact":{"phone":"BPJS Ketenagakerjaan hotline 175 (within Indonesia); foreign pensioners should contact nearest Indonesian embassy/consulate for proof of life and withdrawal assistance"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); English available via BPJS Ketenagakerjaan English website and embassy/consulate assistance","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"JHT – Jaminan Hari Tua (Old-Age Savings Fund)","type":"mandatory_dc","description":"Mandatory defined-contribution provident fund providing a lump-sum benefit based on accumulated contributions plus investment returns. Payable at retirement age (59 for JP, but JHT accessible at age 56 or upon qualifying events), permanent disability, or death. Partial withdrawals allowed: 10% after 10 years of participation (for general preparation) or 30% after 10 years (for housing down payment). Full withdrawal also available upon resignation (after 1-month waiting period), layoff, or permanent departure from Indonesia. JHT funds are invested primarily in government bonds and deposits. No salary cap applies to JHT contribution calculations.","officialUrl":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum vesting for full withdrawal at retirement/departure; 10 years for partial withdrawal","contributionRateEmployee":"2% of monthly salary (no cap)","contributionRateEmployer":"3.7% of monthly salary (no cap)"},{"name":"JP – Jaminan Pensiun (Pension Security)","type":"mandatory_db","description":"Mandatory defined-benefit pension providing monthly annuity income upon retirement. Benefit accrues at 1% of career-average salary per year of contribution. Requires minimum 15 years (180 months) of contributions for monthly pension; fewer than 15 years results in lump-sum payment. Pension age is 59 in 2025–2027, rising to 65 by 2043. Contributions are capped at a maximum wage ceiling adjusted annually by GDP growth rate (IDR 11,086,300/month effective March 2026, up from IDR 10,547,400 in 2025). Minimum monthly benefit IDR 411,400; maximum IDR 4,932,300 (2026 figures). Pensions in payment are indexed to prices annually. Foreign workers are generally excluded from JP.","officialUrl":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years (180 months) for monthly pension; lump sum if fewer than 15 years","contributionRateEmployee":"1% of monthly salary (capped at IDR 11,086,300/month from March 2026)","contributionRateEmployer":"2% of monthly salary (capped at IDR 11,086,300/month from March 2026)"},{"name":"JKK – Jaminan Kecelakaan Kerja (Work Accident Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Employer-funded insurance providing cash compensation and healthcare services for work-related accidents or occupational illness, including medical care, rehabilitation, and a Return to Work Program. Contribution rate varies by industry risk category (0.24%–1.74% of monthly salary), paid entirely by the employer. A 50% discount on JKK contributions was extended until 30 June 2026 for labor-intensive industries (food manufacturing, textiles, furniture) under PP No. 36 of 2025.","officialUrl":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"0.24%–1.74% of monthly salary (risk-based; employer only)"},{"name":"JKM – Jaminan Kematian (Death Benefit Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Employer-funded insurance providing a lump-sum cash benefit to heirs upon participant death outside of a work-accident context. Includes funeral cost coverage, 24-month regular compensation (paid at once), and educational scholarships for dependent children. Contribution is 0.3% of monthly salary, paid entirely by the employer.","officialUrl":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"0.3% of monthly salary (employer only)"},{"name":"JKP – Jaminan Kehilangan Pekerjaan (Job Loss Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Unemployment insurance program reformed under PP No. 6 of 2025 (effective February 7, 2025). Now provides a flat 60% of last reported salary for up to six months (replacing the previous tiered 45%/25% structure). Benefits are capped at a maximum salary base of IDR 5,000,000 (maximum monthly payout IDR 3,000,000). Also provides job training and job placement assistance. Contribution rate reduced from 0.46% to 0.36% of monthly salary under PP 6/2025. Funded by government contributions and inter-program transfers from JKK/JKM — no additional standalone employer or employee contributions required. Workers must file claims within six months of termination. Employees remain eligible even if employer becomes insolvent (up to 6 months of arrears).","officialUrl":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 12 months of JKP contributions within the 24-month period before layoff","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (government-funded via inter-program transfers)","contributionRateEmployer":"0% additional (0.36% total JKP rate funded by government and JKK/JKM recomposition per Permenaker No. 3/2025)"},{"name":"DPPK – Dana Pensiun Pemberi Kerja (Employer Pension Fund)","type":"voluntary_occupational","description":"Voluntary occupational pension fund established by employers, offering either defined-benefit (DB) or defined-contribution (DC) plans. Supervised by OJK under POJK No. 35/2024 and OJK Regulation No. 27 of 2023. Employer contribution rates typically 6–8% of salary; employee contributions around 3% if required. As of February 2024, approximately 1.25 million participants (around 3% of employees of large and medium enterprises). Benefits can be paid as lump sum (if monthly benefit < IDR 1.6M or present value < IDR 500M for DB; or savings < IDR 500M for DC); otherwise 20% lump sum with remainder as periodic payments or annuity. Early access permitted from 5 years before normal retirement age per Law 4/2023 (previously 10 years).","officialUrl":"https://ojk.go.id/en/kanal/iknb/Pages/Dana-Pensiun.aspx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Early access permitted from 5 years before normal retirement age (per Law 4/2023)","contributionRateEmployee":"Typically ~3% (if required; varies by plan)","contributionRateEmployer":"Typically 6–8% of salary (varies by plan)"},{"name":"DPLK – Dana Pensiun Lembaga Keuangan (Financial Institution Pension Fund)","type":"voluntary_personal","description":"Voluntary defined-contribution pension fund established by banks, life insurance companies, or (from March 2025 under POJK No. 35/2024) investment management companies with minimum AUM of IDR 25 trillion. Open to individuals regardless of employment status. Supervised by OJK. As of February 2024, approximately 3 million participants. PT Sinarmas Asset Management became the first asset manager to establish a DPLK (licensed June 2026), with a second application in process. Contributions are tax-deductible for employees (up to limits) and tax-deductible business expenses for employers. Investment returns grow tax-deferred. Minimum contribution from IDR 50,000/month; contributions can be suspended without penalty. Early withdrawal restricted; partial withdrawals permitted for terminal illness, permanent disability, or permanent departure from Indonesia.","officialUrl":"https://ojk.go.id/en/kanal/iknb/Pages/Dana-Pensiun.aspx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Early access from 5 years before normal retirement age; restricted early withdrawal for specific circumstances","contributionRateEmployee":"Flexible (voluntary; tax-deductible up to limits; minimum IDR 50,000/month)","contributionRateEmployer":"Flexible (voluntary; tax-deductible as business expense)"},{"name":"Tapera – Tabungan Perumahan Rakyat (Public Housing Savings)","type":"mandatory_dc","description":"Mandatory housing savings program established under Government Regulation No. 21 of 2024 (amending GR No. 25/2020). Reached full enforcement for private sector employees in 2026. Managed by BP Tapera. Total contribution is 3% of monthly salary (employer: 0.5%, employee: 2.5%); self-employed pay the full 3% themselves. Mandatory for workers aged 20+ (or married) earning at least minimum wage, including foreign workers employed for 6+ months. Savings can be used for housing financing (KPR) at subsidized rates. Contributions refunded to foreign workers upon departure. Separate from BPJS and remitted to BP Tapera by the 10th of each month.","officialUrl":"https://www.bptapera.go.id","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 12 consecutive months for housing loan eligibility; full balance refunded at retirement, 5 years after leaving workforce, or death","contributionRateEmployee":"2.5% of monthly salary","contributionRateEmployer":"0.5% of monthly salary"}],"cross_border_notes":["Foreign workers with valid work permits employed for 6+ months must enroll in JHT, JKK, and JKM; they are generally excluded from the JP (pension) program per BPJS regulations.","JHT balance can be withdrawn as a lump sum upon permanent departure from Indonesia; required documents include BPJS membership card, signed departure statement, and valid passport.","Indonesian citizens can receive JP monthly pension while living abroad, subject to 20% Article 26 withholding tax (reducible under applicable DTAs with valid Certificate of Domicile).","Annual proof of life required for overseas JP pension recipients, typically via Indonesian embassy or consulate; digital verification options being expanded via JMO app.","Indonesia has no comprehensive bilateral social security totalization agreements; contribution periods from other countries cannot be aggregated with Indonesian periods for JP qualification.","The US-Indonesia DTA (1988) caps pension withholding at 15% for US residents; treaty relief requires a valid Certificate of Domicile registered via Indonesia's e-SKD system on pajak.go.id.","JP retirement age is 59 in 2025–2027, rising by one year every three years to reach 65 by 2043 per PP No. 45/2015.","JP wage ceiling for contribution calculation is adjusted annually by prior-year GDP growth; effective March 2026 it is IDR 11,086,300/month (up from IDR 10,547,400 in 2025), reflecting 5.11% GDP growth in 2025.","JP monthly pension benefits for 2026 range from IDR 411,400 (minimum) to IDR 4,932,300 (maximum), updated from 2025 figures of IDR 399,700–IDR 4,207,200.","JKP (job loss insurance) reformed under PP No. 6/2025 (effective February 7, 2025): flat 60% of salary for 6 months (capped at IDR 5M salary base), contribution rate reduced from 0.46% to 0.36%; claim deadline extended from 3 to 6 months.","DPLK voluntary pension funds allow partial withdrawal upon permanent departure from Indonesia for expatriates, subject to OJK regulations. Tapera housing savings contributions are also refunded to foreign workers upon departure.","OJK's POJK No. 35/2024 (effective March 2025) allows investment management companies with minimum AUM of IDR 25 trillion to establish DPLKs; PT Sinarmas Asset Management became the first such DPLK (licensed June 2026).","Tapera (mandatory housing savings) reached full enforcement for private sector employees in 2026: total 3% contribution (0.5% employer + 2.5% employee), managed by BP Tapera, separate from BPJS.","OJK's 2024–2028 Pension Fund Roadmap aims to harmonise mandatory and voluntary pension schemes, digitalise services, and create a national pension database by 2028."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id/en","title":"Install JMO or open the BPJS site","detail":"BPJS Ketenagakerjaan administers Indonesia's employment social security, including JHT (old-age savings) and JP (pension)."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id/jmo/","title":"Check your JHT balance","detail":"JHT is a savings balance with returns credited to it — the part most foreign workers actually hold."},{"n":3,"title":"Check whether you were also in the JP pension scheme","detail":"JP is the monthly pension programme, and foreign workers are generally excluded from it. If you are a foreign national, expect JHT only — and treat that as the correct answer rather than a missing record."},{"n":4,"url":"https://asik.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id","title":"If you have left Indonesia, claim the JHT balance","detail":"JHT can be withdrawn as a lump sum on permanent departure. Smaller balances can be claimed through the JMO app with face verification; larger ones go through LAPAK ASIK or a branch."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the balance statement and the claim reference number."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot find your KPJ number","whatToDo":"It is on the membership card and on payslips. BPJS can trace it from your identity document and employer, and the app can search by identity number."},{"symptom":"Face verification in the app fails from abroad","whatToDo":"The LAPAK ASIK online channel and branch submissions are the alternatives. Claims above the app's limit have to go that way regardless."},{"symptom":"Your employer deducted but never registered you","whatToDo":"Report it to BPJS with payslips showing the deduction — this is a compliance matter they pursue, and the contributions can be recovered."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id/en","portalName":"BPJS Ketenagakerjaan","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your KPJ number (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership number), on your membership card or payslips.","The JMO (Jamsostek Mobile) app, or access to the LAPAK ASIK online claims portal.","Your Indonesian employers and dates, and your identity document as registered — passport number for foreign workers."],"couldNotVerify":"The current JHT withdrawal rules and waiting periods for foreign workers who have left Indonesia.","documentNameLocal":"Saldo JHT (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan)","documentNameEnglish":"Old-age savings (JHT) balance"}},{"country":"Ireland","country_code":"IE","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":66,"retirement_age_full":66,"retirement_age_max":70,"pension_system_summary":"Ireland operates a flat-rate state pension (State Pension Contributory) funded through Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, supplemented by voluntary occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs). The State Pension (Contributory) pays a maximum of €299.30 per week (from January 2026, up from €289.30 in 2025) to those with 2,080 or more PRSI contributions, and is not means-tested. From 2025, the calculation method is transitioning from the Yearly Average approach to the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) over a 10-year phased period, with full TCA implementation by 2034. The standard pension age is 66, with an option to defer up to age 70 for a higher rate (approximately €363.90/week at 70 in 2026). The Pensions Commission has recommended a gradual increase to 67 by 2031 and 68 by 2039, but this has not yet been legislated.\n\nA landmark reform — the MyFutureFund auto-enrolment scheme — officially launched on 1 January 2026, automatically enrolling employees aged 23–60 earning over €20,000 per year who are not already in a qualifying workplace pension. As of mid-2026, over 800,000 employees across nearly 104,000 employers have been enrolled, with over €400 million in contributions invested. Contributions start at 1.5% each from employee and employer, plus a State top-up of 0.5% (equivalent to €1 for every €3 contributed by the employee), rising to 6% each (plus 2% State) by 2035. The scheme is administered by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA). PRSI rates are also on a phased upward trajectory, with employee and employer Class A rates rising incrementally through 2028 to support the long-term sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.\n\nIreland's gross replacement rate from mandatory schemes alone is among the lowest in the OECD (below 30% at average wages per OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025), making supplementary occupational and private pensions critical. The Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) — the lifetime cap on tax-relieved pension benefits — rose from €2 million to €2.2 million in 2026, increasing by €200,000 per year to €2.8 million by 2029, then indexed to earnings growth from 2030. The State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested alternative for those who do not qualify for the contributory pension, but it requires Irish residency and is not payable abroad. Ireland has totalization agreements with the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Quebec, and the UK, as well as EU/EEA coordination under Regulation 883/2004.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.mywelfare.ie","name":"MyWelfare (Department of Social Protection)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/state-pension-contributory/","name":"Gov.ie – State Pension (Contributory)"},{"url":"https://myfuturefund.ie","name":"MyFutureFund (NAERSA – Auto-Enrolment)"},{"url":"https://www.pensionsauthority.ie","name":"The Pensions Authority"},{"url":"https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/pensions/","name":"Citizens Information – Pensions"},{"url":"https://www.revenue.ie/en/jobs-and-pensions/pension/index.aspx","name":"Revenue – Taxation of Pensions"},{"url":"https://www.gov.ie/ae","name":"Gov.ie – Auto-Enrolment Information"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ie/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ie","system_type":"Flat-rate state pension (social insurance/PRSI-funded) + mandatory auto-enrolment DC (MyFutureFund from 2026) + voluntary occupational DB/DC + voluntary PRSAs and personal pensions","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: State Pension Contributory (flat-rate, PRSI-funded, age 66); Pillar 2: Occupational pensions (DB/DC, employer-sponsored) + MyFutureFund auto-enrolment DC (mandatory from Jan 2026); Pillar 3: PRSAs and personal pensions (voluntary, tax-relieved)","replacement_rate_gross":"<30% (mandatory schemes only, OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); ~35% including voluntary occupational pensions","min_qualifying_period":"520 full-rate PRSI contributions (10 years) for minimum State Pension (Contributory); 2,080 contributions (40 years) for maximum rate under TCA","min_qualifying_partial":"Pro-rata pension available for those with 520–2,079 contributions under TCA; voluntary contributions can supplement gaps (minimum 260 full-rate employment contributions required to use voluntary contributions toward the 520 minimum)","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation 883/2004 applies for EU/EEA countries. Bilateral social security agreements with Australia, Canada, Quebec, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, and US allow combination of insurance records using a pro-rata formula (A×B/C, where A = notional pension, B = Irish contributions, C = total Irish + foreign contributions). Minimum 52 reckonable Irish contribution weeks required for bilateral agreements to apply (except Guardian's Payment). Contributions from different bilateral agreement countries cannot be combined with each other — each is calculated separately against Irish contributions.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA (all member states via Regulation 883/2004)","United Kingdom","United States","Canada","Quebec","Australia","New Zealand","Japan","South Korea"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"PRSI rates are on a phased upward trajectory under the PRSI Roadmap: +0.1pp from Oct 2024, +0.1pp from Oct 2025 (to 4.2%), +0.15pp from Oct 2026 (to 4.35%), +0.15pp from Oct 2027, +0.2pp from Oct 2028. Employees earning €352 or less per week are exempt from employee PRSI. A sliding PRSI credit of up to €12/week applies for earnings between €352 and €424. MyFutureFund auto-enrolment contributions are separate from PRSI and start at 1.5% employee + 1.5% employer from January 2026, rising to 6% each by 2035. Employer PRSI threshold for reduced rate increased to €552/week from 1 January 2026.","employee_pct":"4.2% (PRSI Class A, Jan–Sep 2026); rising to 4.35% from 1 October 2026","employer_pct":"11.25% (PRSI Class A, earnings above €552/week, Jan–Sep 2026); 9% for earnings up to €552/week; rising to 11.4%/9.15% from 1 October 2026","self_employed_pct":"4.2% (PRSI Class S, 2026; blended rate 4.2375% for full 2026 tax year given Oct rate change to 4.35%); minimum annual contribution €650"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Voluntary contributions can be made for the current year only (unlike UK, no ability to pay for prior years). Payment for self-employed included with preliminary tax by 31 October each year.","available":true,"annual_cost":"High-rate voluntary PRSI contributions; minimum Class S flat-rate contribution €650/year (for those who last paid at Classes A, E or H, minimum is €500; for Classes B, C or D, minimum is €250)","benefit_per_year":"Each year of voluntary contributions adds approximately €7.48/week to the State Pension (Contributory) for life (based on 2026 rates)","eligibility_conditions":"Available to those under age 66 who are no longer in compulsory PRSI employment in Ireland or another EU country. Must have at least 520 prior PRSI contributions. Covers long-term benefits (pension) only, not short-term benefits. At least 260 full-rate employment contributions required for voluntary contributions to count toward the 520 minimum. PRSAs and personal pensions available for additional voluntary retirement savings with tax relief at marginal rate."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Deferral past age 66 (available only to those born on or after 1 January 1958): approximately +4.2% at 67, +8.8% at 68, +13.6% at 69, +18.6% at 70. In 2026 rates: €299.30 at 66, ~€313.40 at 67, ~€328.90 at 68, up to ~€363.90 at 70. Increases are permanent and paid for life. Deferral also allows additional PRSI contributions to be accrued.","early_reduction":"No early State Pension (Contributory) available before age 66. A bridging payment (Pay-Related Benefit from March 2025, replacing Jobseeker's Benefit) is available from age 65 to 66 for those who retire early. The Transition Pension (previously payable at 65) was discontinued in 2014."},"access_options":{"notes":"State Pension (Contributory): annuity-style weekly payment from age 66 (or deferred age up to 70). Occupational DC pensions: at retirement, tax-free lump sum up to €200,000 lifetime cap (25% of fund or 1.5x final salary for DB); next €300,000 (€200,001–€500,000) taxed at 20% standard rate; above €500,000 at marginal rate + USC. Remainder can purchase annuity or invest in ARF (Approved Retirement Fund). ARFs require minimum imputed distribution of 4% per year (ages 61–70), 5% from age 71, 6% if fund exceeds €2 million. DB pensions: typically 1.5x final salary tax-free lump sum (subject to €200,000 lifetime cap). PRSAs: same options as DC (25% lump sum + annuity/ARF/vested PRSA). Standard Fund Threshold (SFT): €2.2 million in 2026, rising by €200,000/year to €2.8 million by 2029, then indexed to average earnings growth from 2030. Chargeable Excess Tax (CET) of 40% applies on benefits above SFT; CET rate under review in 2030. MyFutureFund: access rules at retirement age to be determined; savings remain invested if contributions cease.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State Pension (Contributory) is payable worldwide to qualifying contributors regardless of residency. EU portability applies under Regulation 883/2004. Occupational pensions and PRSAs accessible at normal retirement age regardless of residency. ARFs remain accessible from abroad but subject to Irish withholding tax (25% for non-residents, reducible under DTA). If you stop working or move abroad before retirement under MyFutureFund, existing savings continue to be invested and remain accessible at retirement age; no new contributions are made while not employed in Ireland."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Tax-free up to €200,000 lifetime aggregate (all pension schemes, domestic and foreign, combined). Next €300,000 (€200,001–€500,000) taxed at 20% standard rate. Any amount above €500,000 taxed at marginal income tax rate plus USC. The €300,000 band is fixed as a monetary amount and will not increase with the SFT beyond 2029. The maximum tax-efficient lump sum cap remains at €500,000 even as the SFT rises to €2.8 million by 2029.","special_tax_regimes":"MyFutureFund (auto-enrolment): employee contributions are made from net income (no income tax relief); instead, the State provides a top-up of 0.5% of gross salary (equivalent to €1 per €3 contributed, or ~25% top-up on employee contribution). Employer contributions to MyFutureFund are exempt from USC. AE scheme providers are exempt from investment undertaking tax. Standard Fund Threshold (SFT): €2.2 million in 2026, rising by €200,000/year to €2.8 million by 2029; from 2030 indexed to average earnings growth (CSO data). Excess above SFT subject to 40% Chargeable Excess Tax (CET); CET rate under review in 2030. The €300,000 lump sum band (taxed at 20%) is fixed and decoupled from the SFT.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Most DTAs provide that private/occupational pension income is taxed only in the country of residence (0% Irish withholding if DTA applies and Form IC2 is filed with Revenue). Government pensions generally taxed only in the paying country (Ireland). Non-residents must complete Form IC2 to claim DTA exemption or repayment.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Irish State Pension and occupational pensions are generally reportable as foreign pension income on US tax returns. Irish PRSAs and ARFs may require FBAR and/or FATCA (Form 8938) reporting if balances exceed thresholds. The US-Ireland DTA provides that pension income is taxed only in the country of residence. As of January 2025, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) have been repealed under the Social Security Fairness Act, so US Social Security benefits are no longer reduced due to receipt of an Irish pension.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Most DTAs distinguish between government/public service pensions (taxed in source country, i.e. Ireland) and private/occupational pensions (taxed in country of residence). Under the US-Ireland DTA (Article 18), pension income is generally taxed only in the recipient's country of residence.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"25% (standard Irish withholding on pension payments to non-residents under PAYE; Revenue does not issue PAYE exclusion orders for ARF/vested PRSA withdrawals to non-residents)"},"indexation":{"notes":"The State Pension (Contributory) is payable worldwide and is uprated annually through the Irish Budget process (discretionary, not automatic). Increases are applied universally regardless of where the pensioner resides — there is no 'frozen pension' policy for Irish state pensions (unlike the UK). The pension increased by €12/week in January 2025 (to €289.30) and by €10/week in January 2026 (to €299.30). The State Pension (Non-Contributory) requires Irish residency and is NOT payable abroad. Occupational pension indexation varies by scheme rules.","method":"Discretionary annual increases set by the Irish Government in the annual Budget (typically linked to inflation and/or wage growth considerations). Rates are reviewed annually in October as part of the Budget process.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"State Pension (Contributory) is fully portable worldwide for qualifying contributors. EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates contributions across EU/EEA. Bilateral agreements with Australia, Canada, Quebec, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, and US allow pro-rata pension calculation. Occupational pension portability is limited — members can transfer to a new employer's scheme, a PRSA, or a Personal Retirement Bond (PRB) on leaving employment. MyFutureFund accounts are fully portable between employers within Ireland. Transfer of Irish occupational pensions to overseas schemes is possible in limited circumstances (e.g., to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme/QROPS for UK transfers), subject to Revenue approval. Minimum 52 Irish contribution weeks required for bilateral totalization agreements to apply."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) via MyWelfare.ie (online, requires verified MyGovID) or by completing form SPC1 and posting to: Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384. Applications can be made from abroad by contacting the DSP directly. The DSP will assess entitlement using all available calculation methods (TCA and/or Yearly Average blend) and award the highest rate. For EU/EEA claims, the DSP coordinates with other member states. For bilateral agreement countries, the DSP requests contribution records directly from the other country.","advance_timeline":"Apply 3–6 months before your chosen pension start date (between age 66 and 70). Applications can be backdated up to a maximum of 6 months.","payment_frequency":"Weekly (paid in arrears; can be paid directly to a bank account in Ireland or abroad via international bank transfer)","required_documents":["PPSN (Personal Public Service Number)","Birth certificate or passport","Employment and PRSI contribution records (DSP accesses these directly via Revenue)","Bank account details (IBAN) for payment","Marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable, for qualified adult increase)","Evidence of foreign social insurance contributions (if claiming under EU rules or bilateral agreement)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"MyWelfare.ie is accessible from abroad with a verified MyGovID account. MyGovID can be set up online. The MyFutureFund participant portal (myfuturefund.ie) is also accessible abroad via verified MyGovID — employees can view contributions, select investment plans, monitor returns, and exercise opt-out or suspension options.","proof_of_life_notes":"The Department of Social Protection may periodically request a Certificate of Life (proof of life) from pensioners living abroad. This can be verified through local authorities, notaries, Irish embassies/consulates, or other recognised officials in the country of residence.","international_contact":{"phone":"Department of Social Protection - EU Pensions Section, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"English (Irish/Gaeilge also accepted)","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"State Pension (Contributory)","type":"state","description":"Flat-rate PRSI-based pension. Maximum rate €299.30/week from January 2026 (€289.30 in 2025) for those with 2,080+ contributions. Minimum 520 weeks (10 years) of full-rate PRSI required. From 2025, calculation transitions from Yearly Average to Total Contributions Approach (TCA) over 10 years, fully TCA-based by 2034. DSP calculates both methods and pays the higher. Not means-tested; payable worldwide to qualifying contributors. Pensioners aged 80+ receive €309.30/week in 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/state-pension-contributory/","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"520 full-rate PRSI contributions (10 years) minimum; 2,080 contributions (40 years) for maximum rate under TCA","contributionRateEmployee":"4.2% PRSI (Class A, Jan–Sep 2026); rising to 4.35% from 1 October 2026","contributionRateEmployer":"11.25% PRSI (Class A, earnings above €552/week, Jan–Sep 2026); 9% for weekly earnings up to €552; rising to 11.4%/9.15% from 1 October 2026"},{"name":"Occupational Pensions (DB and DC)","type":"occupational","description":"Employer-sponsored defined benefit (DB) or defined contribution (DC) schemes; voluntary; approximately two-thirds of workers have some supplementary pension cover (CSO Q3 2024). Tax-relieved contributions at marginal rate (20% or 40%). DC schemes allow lump sum + ARF or annuity at retirement; DB schemes typically provide 1/60th or 1/80th of final salary per year of service. ARFs require minimum imputed distribution of 4% per year (ages 61–70), 5% from age 71, 6% if fund exceeds €2 million.","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsauthority.ie","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by scheme rules","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by scheme; tax relief available up to age-related % of earnings","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by scheme"},{"name":"PRSAs (Personal Retirement Savings Accounts)","type":"private","description":"Individual DC pension accounts available through employers or directly; tax-relieved contributions at marginal rate. Maximum tax-free lump sum of 25% of fund (up to €200,000 lifetime cap). Remainder can be used to purchase annuity, invest in ARF, or remain as vested PRSA. Available to employees, self-employed, and those not in occupational schemes.","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsauthority.ie","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"N/A (individual savings vehicle)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary, tax-relieved at marginal rate (20% or 40%)","contributionRateEmployer":"Optional employer contribution"},{"name":"MyFutureFund (Auto-Enrolment)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory auto-enrolment DC scheme launched 1 January 2026 under the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024. Administered by NAERSA. Targets employees aged 23–60 earning over €20,000/year not already in a qualifying workplace pension. As of mid-2026, over 800,000 employees enrolled across ~104,000 employers, with over €400 million invested. Contributions phased over 10 years: 2026–28: employee 1.5% + employer 1.5% + State 0.5%; 2029–31: 3%/3%/1%; 2032–34: 4.5%/4.5%/1.5%; 2035+: 6%/6%/2%. Employer and State contributions capped on salary up to €80,000. No income tax relief on employee contributions (replaced by State top-up). Employees can opt out during months 7–8 after enrolment and receive refund of their own contributions only — employer and State contributions remain invested in the employee's pot. Automatically re-enrolled after 2 years if still eligible. Account is portable between employers. Management fee capped at 0.5% of assets (55 cent/week flat fee). Four investment fund options (conservative to higher risk); default fund if no choice made.","officialUrl":"https://myfuturefund.ie","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate participation upon enrolment; opt-out window in months 7–8 only","contributionRateEmployee":"1.5% (2026–2028), 3% (2029–2031), 4.5% (2032–2034), 6% (2035+)","contributionRateEmployer":"1.5% (2026–2028), 3% (2029–2031), 4.5% (2032–2034), 6% (2035+); plus State top-up of 0.5%/1%/1.5%/2% respectively; all capped on earnings up to €80,000"}],"cross_border_notes":["State Pension (Non-Contributory) requires Irish residency and habitual residence — it is NOT payable abroad (except to Northern Ireland recipients for up to 5 years after moving).","State Pension (Contributory) is payable worldwide and is uprated annually — Ireland does NOT operate a 'frozen pension' policy for its contributory pension.","MyFutureFund (auto-enrolment, launched 1 January 2026): over 800,000 employees enrolled as of mid-2026. If you stop working or move abroad, existing savings remain invested and accessible at retirement age. No new contributions are made while not employed in Ireland.","MyFutureFund opt-out: employees can opt out during months 7–8 after enrolment and receive a refund of their own contributions only. Employer and State contributions are NOT refunded — they remain invested in the employee's pot.","Non-residents receiving Irish occupational pension or ARF payments are subject to 25% Irish withholding tax unless a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) applies — Form IC2 must be filed with Revenue to claim DTA relief.","Under most Irish DTAs, private/occupational pension income is taxed only in the country of residence; government pensions are generally taxed only in Ireland.","EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates social insurance across EU/EEA; Ireland has bilateral agreements with Australia, Canada, Quebec, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, and US for pension totalization.","Minimum 52 reckonable Irish PRSI weeks required for bilateral totalization agreements to apply (except Guardian's Payment Contributory).","PRSI rates are increasing annually under the PRSI Roadmap: employee Class A at 4.2% (Jan–Sep 2026), rising to 4.35% from 1 October 2026, with further increases planned through 2028.","The Social Security Fairness Act (US, January 2025) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), meaning US Social Security benefits are no longer reduced for those also receiving an Irish pension.","Voluntary PRSI contributions in Ireland can only be made for the current year (no ability to pay for prior years, unlike the UK system). At least 260 full-rate employment contributions are required before voluntary contributions count toward the 520 minimum.","Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) rose to €2.2 million in 2026 (from €2 million), increasing by €200,000/year to €2.8 million by 2029, then indexed to earnings growth from 2030. The maximum tax-free lump sum cap remains fixed at €500,000 regardless of SFT increases.","The Pensions Commission has recommended increasing the State Pension age to 67 by 2031 and 68 by 2039 (gradual increases of 3 months/year from 2028), but this has not yet been enacted into legislation as of 2026."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.mywelfare.ie","title":"Go to MyWelfare.ie","detail":"This is the Department of Social Protection's online service, and the fastest route to your PRSI record."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in with MyGovID","detail":"A basic MyGovID account covers some services; a contribution statement generally needs a verified account."},{"n":3,"title":"Request your contribution statement","detail":"The statement lists your reckonable paid and credited contributions by year — these are what the State Pension (Contributory) is assessed on."},{"n":4,"title":"Check for gaps and credited contributions","detail":"Credits (for example while receiving certain payments) can count toward eligibility even in years you did not pay PRSI, so a year with no paid contributions is not automatically an empty year."},{"n":5,"title":"If you can't verify online, request it by post","detail":"The Department's PRSI Records section in Waterford will issue a contribution statement by post on written request quoting your PPS number, full name, date of birth and address."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You can't get a verified MyGovID because you have no Public Services Card","whatToDo":"Use the postal route to PRSI Records. This is the common case for people who left Ireland before the card existed."},{"symptom":"You don't know your PPS number","whatToDo":"It appears on old Irish payslips, P60s and correspondence from Revenue. The Department can trace it with your full name, date of birth, mother's birth surname and your Irish address at the time."},{"symptom":"Your record is short of the minimum for a contributory pension","whatToDo":"EU rules and bilateral agreements can let contributions from other countries count toward the qualifying conditions. Raise it when you apply — it is not applied automatically."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.mywelfare.ie","portalName":"MyWelfare.ie","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your PPS number (Personal Public Service number).","A verified MyGovID account. Note that full verification has historically depended on holding a Public Services Card, which is difficult to obtain from outside Ireland."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether a basic (rather than verified) MyGovID is now sufficient for a contribution statement, and the current postal address for PRSI Records, both need confirming against the live site.","documentNameLocal":"PRSI Contribution Statement","documentNameEnglish":"Social insurance (PRSI) contribution record"}},{"country":"Italy","country_code":"IT","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":64,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":71,"pension_system_summary":"Italy operates a predominantly public, pay-as-you-go pension system administered by INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale). The system is built around a Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) framework introduced by the Dini Reform of 1995, though a transitional mixed DB/NDC calculation still applies to workers with contributions before 1996. As of 2025, more than 90% of new pensioners have their pensions calculated based on NDC rules for more than half of their careers, with full NDC application expected for all new pensioners from around 2040. Public pension expenditure stands at approximately 16% of GDP — second only to Greece in the OECD — with at least one-quarter not financed by pension contributions. The statutory retirement age is 67 for 2026, with the life-expectancy link to retirement ages restored from 2027 under the 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199/2025): the qualifying age rises to 67 years and 1 month in 2027 and 67 years and 3 months in 2028. The main early retirement pathways are: contribution-only early retirement (42 years 10 months for men, 41 years 10 months for women in 2026, rising by 1 month in 2027 and 3 months total from 2028), and flexible early retirement at 64 with 25 years of contributions (NDC-only calculation, rising to 30 years from 2030). Quota 103 (age 62 + 41 years) and Opzione Donna were both phased out by the 2026 Budget Law. APE Sociale (the social hardship bridge allowance) was extended for 2026. Mothers benefit from a reduction of the statutory retirement age by 4 months per child, up to 12 months, if they forgo the pension bonus for having children.\n\nThe supplementary pension system (previdenza complementare) consists of occupational closed funds (fondi negoziali), open pension funds, and individual insurance-based plans (PIP). Participation is voluntary but incentivised through tax deductions of up to EUR 5,164.57 per year on contributions. A major structural reform under the 2026 Budget Law introduced automatic enrolment of new private-sector hires into supplementary pension funds from 1 July 2026, with a 60-day opt-out window (reduced from the previous 6-month window). Supplementary pension assets totalled EUR 262 billion at end-2025, with 10.5 million members — still under 40% of the workforce. COVIP (Commissione di Vigilanza sui Fondi Pensione) regulates the supplementary pension sector.\n\nItaly has an extensive network of international social security agreements, including EU coordination under EC 883/2004 and bilateral totalization treaties with over 20 non-EU countries, including Albania (effective July 1, 2025). Pensions are paid abroad via Citibank N.A., with an annual proof-of-life verification requirement (2026 first phase: March–July 2026 for Americas, Asia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe). Italy offers a notable 7% flat tax regime for foreign pensioners relocating to qualifying southern municipalities (population threshold raised to 30,000 as of April 7, 2026 under Law No. 34/2026), valid for up to 10 years.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en.html","name":"INPS Official Portal (English)"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.myinps.html","name":"MyINPS Personal Portal"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.fascicolo-previdenziale-del-cittadino-50865.fascicolo-previdenziale-del-cittadino.html","name":"Citizens' Social Security Dossier (Fascicolo Previdenziale)"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-strumenti.pensami-simulatore-scenari-pensionistici.pensami---simulatore-scenari-pensionistici.html","name":"PensAMI — Pension Scenarios Simulator"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-strumenti.la-mia-pensione-futura-simulazione-della-propria-pensione-50033.la-mia-pensione-futura-simulazione-della-propria-pensione.html","name":"My Future Pension (La mia pensione futura)"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","name":"Pension Claim Application (Domanda di Pensione)"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.la-domanda-di-pensione-in-regime-di-convenzione-bilaterale-50590.la-domanda-di-pensione-in-regime-di-convenzione-bilaterale.html","name":"Bilateral Agreement Pension Claim"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.domanda-di-pensione-in-regime-ue.html","name":"EU Regime Pension Claim"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.accertamento-dell-esistenza-in-vita-cos-e-come-funziona--50197.accertamento-dell-esistenza-in-vita-cos-e-come-funziona-.html","name":"Verification of Existence in Life (Proof of Life — INPS)"},{"url":"https://www.citibank.com/tts/sa/inps/en/index.html","name":"Citibank INPS Pensioner Portal (Proof of Life & Payments)"},{"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/sedi-e-contatti/contatti/contact-center-multicanale.html","name":"INPS Multichannel Contact Centre"},{"url":"https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/web/english","name":"Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency — English)"},{"url":"https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/web/english/taxation-of-pensions-received-from-other-eu-countries","name":"Agenzia delle Entrate — Pension Taxation (Non-Residents)"},{"url":"https://www.covip.it/en","name":"COVIP — Supplementary Pensions Regulator"},{"url":"https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/italiani-all-estero/sicurezzasociale/","name":"Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Italians Abroad / Social Security"},{"url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.inps.mobile.app.servizi.activity&hl=en","name":"INPS Mobile Application (Google Play)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/it/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-03","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/it","system_type":"NDC (Notional Defined Contribution) PAYG + transitional mixed DB/NDC + voluntary supplementary (DC)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: INPS mandatory public pension (NDC/mixed DB-NDC, PAYG); Pillar 2: Fondi Pensione Negoziali/Chiusi (occupational DC, auto-enrolment from July 2026 for new hires); Pillar 3: Fondi Aperti + PIP (individual/open DC, voluntary)","replacement_rate_gross":"≥70% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025; Italy among highest in OECD for mandatory schemes)","min_qualifying_period":"20 years of contributions for old-age pension at age 67 (2026); 5 years for contributory-only workers at age 71; 42 years 10 months (men) / 41 years 10 months (women) for contribution-based early retirement (no age requirement) in 2026 — all thresholds rising from 2027 per life-expectancy link","min_qualifying_partial":"1 year (52 weeks) of Italian contributions required for EU/EEA totalization aggregation; bilateral agreement terms apply for non-EU partners","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA: contributions from all member states totalized under EC 883/2004 and EC 987/2009. Minimum 1 year (52 weeks) of Italian contributions required for aggregation. Non-EU bilateral partners: totalization per bilateral agreement terms, with pro-rata calculation of Italian benefit based on Italian contributions only. Foreign contributions used only to establish entitlement, not to increase the Italian benefit amount.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA member states (all 27 EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)","Switzerland","United Kingdom","United States","Canada (including Quebec)","Australia","Argentina","Brazil","South Korea","Japan","Turkey","Tunisia","Uruguay","Venezuela","Israel","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Cape Verde","North Macedonia","Monaco","San Marino","Holy See (Vatican)","Jersey and Channel Islands","Serbia","Montenegro","Moldova","Philippines","Albania","Croatia","Slovenia","Libya"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total pension contribution rate for employees under AGO (compulsory general insurance) is approximately 33% of gross salary (employee + employer combined). For FY2026, the Gestione Separata income cap is EUR 122,295; the minimum income threshold for contribution credit is EUR 18,808. Above the cap, only minor contributions (~1%) are due by the employer only. TFR (severance pay) accrues at ~7.407% of annual salary (1/13.5 of annual salary) and is paid as a lump sum on termination or can be redirected to a supplementary pension fund. From 1 July 2026, new private-sector hires are auto-enrolled in supplementary funds unless they opt out within 60 days.","employee_pct":"9.19% (standard private sector; 10.19% on earnings above EUR 55,448 ceiling for executives)","employer_pct":"~23.81% (standard private sector pension component; total employer social security 27–32% including non-pension contributions; varies by sector and company size)","self_employed_pct":"24% (artisans/craftsmen and traders); 26.07% (professionals without other pension coverage in Gestione Separata, FY2026); 24% (professionals with other mandatory coverage in Gestione Separata); 33.72–35.03% (co.co.co. collaborators and company directors)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Annual tax return deadline (typically 30 September for prior year); supplementary fund contributions can be made throughout the year","available":true,"annual_cost":"Voluntary contributions to supplementary pension funds (fondi negoziali, fondi aperti, PIP) are deductible up to EUR 5,164.57/year from taxable income. Voluntary INPS contributions (riscatto laurea — buying back university years; ricongiunzione — consolidating contribution periods) also available at actuarially determined cost.","benefit_per_year":null,"eligibility_conditions":"Supplementary pension funds: available to all workers and self-employed. Voluntary INPS contributions (riscatto): requires prior mandatory contribution history; minimum 5 years prior contributions for some schemes. Riscatto laurea (degree buyback) available to workers who graduated and have at least one week of INPS contributions."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Actuarial increase through higher transformation coefficients at later retirement ages. 'Bonus Maroni': workers who continue working beyond qualifying age can receive the employer's pension contribution share added to their salary (tax-free option). Public sector employees can continue working until age 70 under 2025 Budget Law. Mothers who forgo the pension bonus for children receive a pension amount increase of 3–4% for one or two children and 6–8% for three or more children.","early_reduction":"NDC system: actuarial reduction through lower age-based transformation coefficients at younger retirement ages. Flexible early retirement at 64: full NDC-only calculation results in substantial reduction vs mixed system. APE Sociale: capped at EUR 1,500/month gross, not indexed. Quota 103 (phased out from 2026): pension was capped at ~4x minimum pension (~EUR 2,300–2,450/month) until standard retirement age of 67; full NDC calculation applied."},"access_options":{"notes":"State pension (INPS): annuity only — no lump sum option. TFR (severance pay): mandatory lump sum paid upon termination of employment (approximately 7.407% of annual salary per year of service, or 1/13.5 of annual salary); if redirected to a supplementary fund, it accumulates and is paid at retirement. Supplementary pension funds (fondi negoziali, fondi aperti, PIP): up to 50% as lump sum at retirement; 100% as lump sum if the resulting annuity would be below 50% of the assegno sociale threshold. Early access: up to 30% of supplementary fund after 8 years for any reason; up to 75% for medical expenses (any time) or home purchase/renovation (after 8 years). From 2026, the supplementary pension annuity can no longer be combined with the main INPS pension to reach the minimum threshold for flexible early retirement at 64.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension (INPS) is payable worldwide to qualifying recipients. EU portability applies under EC 883/2004. Italy has bilateral agreements with 20+ non-EU countries (including Albania from July 2025). TFR is paid upon termination of employment regardless of residency. Supplementary pension funds are accessible at retirement age from abroad. Non-resident withholding applies per applicable DTA. Social pensions (assegno sociale) and minimum pension supplements are generally not payable to persons residing permanently abroad."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"TFR (severance pay) taxed at average effective IRPEF rate of the preceding 5 years (separate taxation — tassazione separata). Supplementary pension fund lump sums taxed at 15% (reducible to 9% after 35 years of participation). State pension is annuity-only; no lump sum available.","special_tax_regimes":"7% flat substitute tax on all foreign-source income for foreign pensioners relocating to qualifying southern Italian municipalities (population threshold raised from 20,000 to 30,000 as of April 7, 2026 under Law No. 34/2026, Article 26, amending Article 24-ter TUIR). This unlocked approximately 74 new municipalities. Applies to regions: Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia, plus certain seismic-zone municipalities in Marche, Umbria and Lazio. Valid for up to 10 consecutive tax years. Requires: not having been Italian tax resident in the prior 5 years; receipt of foreign pension income; registration in a qualifying municipality. Replaces IRPEF, regional and municipal surcharges on foreign income; exempts from IVIE/IVAFE wealth taxes on foreign assets. Separate 'new resident' lump-sum regime (€200,000/year flat tax) available for high-net-worth individuals (non-pension specific). IRPEF second bracket (EUR 28,000–50,000) reduced from 35% to 33% for 2026 under the 2026 Budget Law.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty. Under the US-Italy DTA (1984, updated 1999): private pensions taxable only in country of residence (Article 18); government/public pensions generally taxable only in the paying country (Article 19), with exceptions for nationals of the other state. Non-residents may apply to INPS (withholding agent) for DTA relief to reduce or eliminate Italian withholding.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Italian INPS pension is a foreign pension for US tax purposes — reportable on Form 1040. May require FBAR (FinCEN 114) if Italian bank accounts exceed USD 10,000. Form 8938 (FATCA) may apply. Supplementary pension funds may require Form 3520/3520-A if treated as foreign trusts. US-Italy totalization agreement prevents dual social security contributions. WEP/GPO provisions repealed as of January 2025 (Social Security Fairness Act), so US Social Security benefits are no longer reduced due to receipt of Italian pension.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes — double taxation conventions generally treat public (government service) pensions and private pensions differently. Government pensions are typically taxed only in the paying country; private pensions are typically taxed only in the country of residence. Specific treaty terms must be verified for each bilateral agreement.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"23–43% (IRPEF progressive rates apply as withholding on Italian-source pension income for non-residents, subject to DTA relief). Note: for 2026, the second IRPEF bracket (EUR 28,000–50,000) was reduced from 35% to 33%."},"indexation":{"notes":"The life-expectancy link to retirement ages was suspended between 2019 and 2026 and has been restored from 2027 under the 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199/2025): retirement age increases by 1 month in 2027 and 3 months total from 2028. Workers in hazardous or arduous jobs are excluded from the retirement age increases. The 2026 indexation rate is 1.4% (based on 2025 FOI inflation, confirmed by MEF/Ministry of Labour joint decree published in GU No. 277 of 28 November 2025). The 2025 definitive indexation rate was confirmed at 0.8%. Note: pensions paid to non-residents above the minimum INPS threshold (trattamento minimo) may not receive the full perequazione under certain rules; minimum-level pensions remain protected.","method":"Partial CPI indexation (perequazione automatica): 100% for pensions up to 4x the minimum pension (trattamento minimo, EUR 611.85/month in 2026); 90% for 4–5x; 75% for 5–6x; 50% for 6–8x; 40% for 8–10x; 35% above 10x minimum. NDC notional accounts revalued annually based on 5-year moving average of nominal GDP growth. For 2026, the indexation rate is 1.4%. Social pensions (assegno sociale, EUR 546.24/month in 2026) indexed to price inflation.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU/EEA: full portability under EC 883/2004 and EC 987/2009 — contributions aggregated across all member states, pro-rata benefit paid by each country. Non-EU bilateral partners: portability per bilateral agreement terms (totalization of periods, pro-rata calculation). No transfer of accrued INPS pension rights to another country's system (rights remain with INPS and are paid at retirement). Supplementary pension funds: accrued rights portable between Italian funds; employer contributions are now portable under the 2026 Budget Law reform. No international transfer mechanism for supplementary funds. TFR: paid as lump sum on termination regardless of destination country."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply online via MyINPS portal (SPID or CIE credentials required) or with assistance from a patronato (authorised welfare assistance body). EU/EEA residents submit claim to the social security institution in their country of residence, which forwards to INPS under EC 883/2004 coordination. Non-EU residents with bilateral agreements apply via the INPS bilateral agreement service or through the Italian consulate in their country of residence. Non-EU residents without bilateral agreements apply directly to INPS. Processing deadline is 30 days under Law 241/1990 (longer for international cases). Pensions paid on the first working day of each month via bank transfer (domestic) or via Citibank N.A. (abroad).","advance_timeline":"Applications can be submitted in advance of the qualifying date. A waiting window ('finestra mobile') applies for some early retirement schemes (e.g., 3 months for private sector, 6 months for public sector) between meeting requirements and first payment.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (credited on the first working day of each month; advanced to preceding working day if that date falls on a weekend or public holiday)","required_documents":["Codice fiscale (Italian tax identification number)","Work history / contribution statement (estratto conto contributivo — downloadable from MyINPS)","Valid identity document (passport or national ID card)","Birth certificate (apostilled if from non-EU country)","Proof of current residence","Bank account details (IBAN) for payment","Foreign contribution records (if claiming under EU coordination or bilateral agreement)","Proof of cessation of employment (for early retirement schemes requiring it)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"MyINPS portal accessible internationally with SPID (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale) or CIE (Carta d'Identità Elettronica) credentials. SPID can be obtained abroad via authorised identity providers. The PensAMI simulator and 'La mia pensione futura' tools are publicly accessible without login. Citibank INPS pensioner portal (www.citibank.com/tts/sa/inps/en/index.html) accessible for pension payment queries and proof-of-life submissions.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual Certificato di Esistenza in Vita (proof-of-life certificate) required for all pensions paid abroad. Administered by Citibank N.A. on behalf of INPS. For the 2026 cycle, two phases apply: Phase 1 (March–July 2026) covers Americas, Asia, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe — Citibank began sending forms from 20 March 2026, with a return deadline of 18 July 2026; failure to return by 18 July 2026 results in August 2026 payment being redirected to Western Union; non-compliance by 19 August 2026 leads to suspension from September 2026. Phase 2 (September 2025–January 2026) covered Europe (excluding Scandinavia/Eastern Europe), Africa, and Oceania — forms sent from 17 September 2025, deadline 15 January 2026. Certificate must be countersigned by an acceptable witness (Italian consulate/embassy, or a locally recognised public official). Video call verification via consular offices is available (INPS/Ministry of Foreign Affairs joint project). Patronato institutes abroad can also submit forms electronically via Citibank's portal. Pensioners in countries with social security data-exchange agreements with INPS are excluded from the standard verification.","international_contact":{"phone":"INPS Direzione Centrale Pensioni - Convenzioni Internazionali; Phone from abroad: +39 06 164 164"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Italian (primary); INPS contact centre available in Italian, English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese for international inquiries","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Public Old-Age Pension (Pensione di Vecchiaia)","type":"state","description":"Primary state pension provided by INPS. Requires age 67 and at least 20 years of contributions (standard) in 2026. From 2027, the life-expectancy link is restored: qualifying age rises to 67 years and 1 month in 2027 and 67 years and 3 months in 2028. Workers with contributions exclusively from 1 January 1996 (contributory-only cohort) must also meet a minimum pension threshold equal to the assegno sociale; if not met, an alternative door opens at age 71 (rising to 71y1m in 2027, 71y3m in 2028) with 5 years of effective contributions. Calculated under NDC rules for post-1995 contributions and retributive method for pre-1996 periods (mixed system). Mothers benefit from a reduction of the statutory retirement age by 4 months per child, up to 12 months, if they forgo the pension bonus for having children.","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":20,"vestingPeriod":"20 years (standard); 5 years at age 71 for contributory-only workers","contributionRateEmployee":"9.19%","contributionRateEmployer":"~23.81% (varies by sector)"},{"name":"Early Retirement — Pensione Anticipata (Contribution-Based)","type":"state","description":"Early retirement without age requirement, based solely on contribution length. In 2026 requires 42 years and 10 months of contributions for men, or 41 years and 10 months for women. From 2027, requirements increase by 1 month (43y1m men, 42y1m women) and by 3 months total from 2028. A waiting window ('finestra') of 3 months (private sector) or 6 months (public sector) applies before first payment. No cap on pension amount. Permanent scheme, not subject to expiry.","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"42 years 10 months (men) / 41 years 10 months (women) in 2026; rising from 2027","contributionRateEmployee":"9.19%","contributionRateEmployer":"~23.81%"},{"name":"Flexible Early Retirement at 64 (NDC-only)","type":"state","description":"Allows retirement at age 64 for workers in the contributory-only system (post-1995). Requires 25 years of contributions in 2025–2029 (increased from 20 in 2025); rising to 30 years from 2030. Pension calculated entirely under NDC rules, meaning substantial actuarial adjustments compared to the mixed system. Pension must exceed 3x the assegno sociale (approximately EUR 1,638 gross/month in 2026); from 2026, the supplementary pension annuity can no longer be added to the main pension to reach this threshold. Rising to 3.2x from 2030. Introduced by 2025 Budget Law.","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":25,"vestingPeriod":"25 years (2025–2029); 30 years from 2030","contributionRateEmployee":"9.19%","contributionRateEmployer":"~23.81%"},{"name":"Quota 103 (Phased Out from 2026)","type":"state","description":"Temporary flexible early retirement scheme that was available through 2025 (age 62 + 41 years of contributions). The 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199/2025) did not extend Quota 103 beyond 2025. Workers who had already accrued rights under Quota 103 by 31 December 2025 retain those acquired rights. From 2024, the entire pension was calculated under NDC-only rules (actuarial reduction), with a cap of approximately 4x the minimum pension (~EUR 2,300–2,450/month) until standard retirement age. No longer available for new claims from 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"41 years contributions + age 62 (no longer available for new claims from 2026)","contributionRateEmployee":"9.19%","contributionRateEmployer":"~23.81%"},{"name":"Opzione Donna (Abolished from 2026)","type":"state","description":"Gender-specific early retirement scheme for women that was available through 2025. The 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199/2025) abolished Opzione Donna — no extension was granted and an amendment to reinstate it was declared inadmissible in Parliament. Under the scheme (when active), women with at least 35 years of contributions and aged 58 (employed) or 59 (self-employed) by 31 December 2021 could retire early with pension calculated entirely under NDC rules. Acquired rights of those who already qualified remain protected. No longer available for new claims from 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":35,"vestingPeriod":"35 years by 31 December 2021 (scheme abolished from 2026; acquired rights protected)","contributionRateEmployee":"9.19%","contributionRateEmployer":"~23.81%"},{"name":"APE Sociale (Social Allowance for Hardship)","type":"state","description":"Monthly state allowance (not a pension) paid by INPS to individuals in specific hardship situations (unemployed after specific events, caregivers, workers with ≥74% disability, or those in legally defined strenuous/arduous jobs). Extended for 2026 by the 2026 Budget Law. In 2026, requires age 63 years and 5 months and at least 30 years of contributions (higher thresholds for strenuous roles). Capped at EUR 1,500 gross/month, paid 12 months/year, not indexed. Ends when the recipient qualifies for a regular pension. Cannot be combined with employment income (except occasional self-employment up to EUR 5,000).","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":30,"vestingPeriod":"30 years (standard); higher for strenuous roles","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Quota 41 (Early Workers)","type":"state","description":"Early retirement for workers who can claim 12 months of actual contributions before age 19 ('early workers') and are in specific hardship conditions (strenuous/arduous jobs or other qualifying categories). Requires 41 years of contributions (rising by 1 month in 2027 and 3 months total from 2028 due to life-expectancy link). No age requirement. Resources for this scheme were reduced by the 2026 Budget Law.","officialUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/previdenza/domanda-di-pensione.html","vestingYears":41,"vestingPeriod":"41 years in 2026; rising from 2027 per life-expectancy link","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Occupational Pension Funds (Fondi Pensione Negoziali/Chiusi)","type":"occupational","description":"Sector-specific closed pension funds established by collective bargaining agreements between employers and trade unions. Defined contribution, funded. From 1 July 2026, new private-sector hires are automatically enrolled in the applicable CCNL-designated fund unless they opt out within 60 days (2026 Budget Law reform). Employer contributions and minimum employee contributions under CBAs are also now included in the auto-enrolment mechanism. Workers may redirect TFR (severance accrual) into these funds. Regulated by COVIP. Total supplementary pension assets reached EUR 262 billion at end-2025, with 10.5 million members. After 8 years of membership, up to 75% of accrued rights can be accessed for home purchase or renovation; up to 30% for other needs; up to 75% at any time for medical expenses.","officialUrl":"https://www.covip.it/en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by collective agreement","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by collective agreement"},{"name":"Open Pension Funds (Fondi Pensione Aperti)","type":"private","description":"Open-market pension funds offered by banks, insurance companies, and asset managers. Available to all workers regardless of employment sector. Defined contribution, funded. Contributions deductible up to EUR 5,164.57/year. Benefits taxed at 15% (reducible by 0.30% per year of participation beyond 15 years, up to a maximum reduction of 6%, giving a minimum rate of 9%). Investment returns taxed at 20% (vs 26% for standard financial instruments). Regulated by COVIP.","officialUrl":"https://www.covip.it/en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to EUR 5,164.57/year deductible","contributionRateEmployer":"Optional employer top-up"},{"name":"Individual Pension Plans (PIP — Piani Individuali Pensionistici)","type":"private","description":"Individual insurance-based retirement plans offered by insurance companies, linked to life insurance contracts. Defined contribution, funded. Available to all individuals. Contributions deductible up to EUR 5,164.57/year. Benefits taxed at 15% (reducible by 0.30% per year beyond 15 years, max 6% reduction, minimum 9%). Investment returns taxed at 20% (vs 26% for standard financial instruments). Regulated by COVIP and IVASS.","officialUrl":"https://www.covip.it/en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to EUR 5,164.57/year deductible","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC 883/2004 and EC 987/2009 apply to all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. Single claim to institution of current residence; coordinated pro-rata calculation across all countries of contribution.","Pensions paid to residents of 130+ countries via Citibank N.A. Monthly EUR payments; currency conversion available in some countries.","Annual proof-of-life (Certificato di Esistenza in Vita) required for all pensions paid abroad. 2026 cycle: Phase 1 (Americas, Asia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe) — forms sent from 20 March 2026, deadline 18 July 2026; Phase 2 (Europe, Africa, Oceania) — forms sent from 17 September 2025, deadline 15 January 2026. Non-compliance leads to payment suspension. Video call verification via Italian consulates available.","7% flat substitute tax on all foreign-source income for foreign pensioners relocating to qualifying southern Italian municipalities. Population threshold raised from 20,000 to 30,000 inhabitants as of 7 April 2026 (Law No. 34/2026, Article 26), unlocking approximately 74 new municipalities. Duration: up to 10 consecutive tax years. Eligible regions: Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia, plus certain seismic-zone municipalities in central Italy.","US Social Security Fairness Act (effective January 2025) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). US recipients of Italian INPS pensions no longer face reduced US Social Security benefits due to the Italian pension.","Social pensions (assegno sociale), minimum pension supplements, and disability allowances are generally not payable to persons residing permanently abroad.","Italy's life-expectancy link to retirement ages (suspended 2019–2026) was restored from 2027 under the 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199/2025): old-age pension qualifying age rises to 67 years and 1 month in 2027 and 67 years and 3 months in 2028. Early retirement contribution requirements also increase accordingly (43y1m for men, 42y1m for women from 2027). Workers in hazardous or arduous jobs are excluded from these increases.","Quota 103 (age 62 + 41 years contributions) was phased out from 2026 by the 2026 Budget Law. Opzione Donna was also abolished from 2026. APE Sociale was extended for 2026.","Italy–Albania bilateral social security agreement entered into force on 1 July 2025, allowing totalization of contribution periods and pro-rata pension calculation for workers who contributed in both countries.","Double taxation conventions generally distinguish between government/public pensions (taxed in paying country) and private pensions (taxed in country of residence). Non-residents may apply to INPS for DTA relief to reduce or eliminate Italian withholding at source.","Italy has bilateral social security agreements with 20+ non-EU countries. Pro-rata calculation applies: foreign contributions establish entitlement only; Italian benefit is calculated solely on Italian contributions.","From 1 July 2026, new private-sector hires in Italy are automatically enrolled in supplementary pension funds (fondi negoziali) unless they opt out within 60 days. Employer contributions under CBAs are also included in the auto-enrolment mechanism. This is a significant structural reform to Pillar 2 coverage.","From 2026, the supplementary pension annuity can no longer be combined with the main INPS pension to reach the minimum threshold (3x assegno sociale) required for flexible early retirement at age 64 under the NDC-only pathway.","IRPEF second bracket (EUR 28,000–50,000) reduced from 35% to 33% for 2026 under the 2026 Budget Law, benefiting approximately 13.6 million taxpayers including pensioners in that income range."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.myinps.html","title":"Open MyINPS","detail":"INPS administers the main Italian pension system. The Fascicolo Previdenziale is your personal social security dossier inside it."},{"n":2,"title":"Authenticate with SPID or CIE","detail":"Both are national digital identities. CIE needs the physical card and an NFC phone; SPID is a credential and generally travels better."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.fascicolo-previdenziale-del-cittadino-50865.fascicolo-previdenziale-del-cittadino.html","title":"Open the estratto conto contributivo","detail":"This lists every contribution period by employer and fund. Italy's system is contribution-based for most workers now, so the accumulated contributions are the substance of the entitlement."},{"n":4,"title":"Check for gaps and request corrections","detail":"INPS provides a formal channel for contesting a contribution statement. Gaps from short contracts and agency work are common."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.inps.it/it/en/dettaglio-scheda.en.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-strumenti.pensami-simulatore-scenari-pensionistici.pensami---simulatore-scenari-pensionistici.html","title":"Save the statement","detail":"Download the PDF. The PensAMI simulator can then show what those contributions produce under current rules."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot obtain SPID from outside Italy","whatToDo":"This is the most common Italian obstacle. Use a patronato instead — these are authorised welfare assistance bodies, they are free to the user, many have offices abroad, and they can retrieve your INPS record and file applications on your behalf."},{"symptom":"Your contributions are split across several funds","whatToDo":"Employment, self-employment and some professions sit in separate funds. They can be combined, but the mechanisms differ (ricongiunzione, cumulo, totalizzazione) and the choice affects the outcome — a patronato is the practical way through it."},{"symptom":"You do not know your codice fiscale","whatToDo":"It is derived from your name, date and place of birth, and appears on any Italian contract or payslip. Italian consulates issue and confirm it."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.inps.it/it/en.html","portalName":"INPS — Fascicolo Previdenziale del Cittadino","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your codice fiscale (Italian tax code).","SPID or a CIE (electronic identity card). SPID can be obtained from abroad through some providers, and Italian consulates assist — but it is the usual blocker.","Your Italian employers and years, including any periods as autonomo (self-employed), which sit in a different INPS fund."],"couldNotVerify":null,"documentNameLocal":"Estratto conto contributivo","documentNameEnglish":"Contribution statement"}},{"country":"Japan","country_code":"JP","continent":"asia","currency":"JPY","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":75,"pension_system_summary":"Japan operates a mandatory two-tier public pension system underpinned by the National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin), which provides a flat-rate basic pension to all residents aged 20–59 regardless of nationality, and the Employees' Pension Insurance (Kosei Nenkin), an earnings-related scheme covering company employees and public-sector workers. Both tiers are pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and administered by the Japan Pension Service under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The standard retirement age is 65, with early claiming from 60 (at a reduction) and deferred claiming up to 75 (with a bonus). The minimum qualifying period is 10 years (reduced from 25 years in 2017). For FY2026, the full basic National Pension is ¥847,300/year (¥70,608/month), up 1.9% from FY2025, and the model couple Employees' Pension benefit is ¥237,279/month. Pension benefits are indexed annually via a macroeconomic slide mechanism: for FY2026, wages rose 2.1% and the slide factor was -0.2%, yielding a net +1.9% increase for National Pension and +2.0% for Employees' Pension — the fourth consecutive year of positive adjustment.\n\nComplementing the public system are voluntary private and occupational tiers: iDeCo (individual-type defined contribution pension) for individuals, corporate DC plans sponsored by employers, and legacy defined-benefit corporate pension funds. The 2025 Pension Reform Act (enacted June 13, 2025) introduced significant changes: the restriction on employee voluntary DC contributions exceeding employer contributions was abolished from April 1, 2026; iDeCo contribution limits for employees without corporate DC plans will rise from ¥23,000 to ¥62,000/month and for self-employed from ¥68,000 to ¥75,000/month, effective December 1, 2026; the corporate DC ceiling rises from ¥55,000 to ¥62,000/month from January 2027; the iDeCo enrollment age limit will be raised to 70 (effective within 3 years of promulgation, expected December 2026); and the lump-sum withdrawal cap for departing foreigners will rise from 60 to 96 months (effective within 4 years of promulgation, ~2029, by Cabinet Order). The Employees' Pension earnings ceiling remains ¥650,000/month as of mid-2026, with a planned increase to ¥750,000/month under the 2025 reforms.\n\nFor cross-border workers, Japan has concluded social security totalization agreements with 24 countries (as of December 2025), allowing combination of coverage periods to meet the 10-year minimum qualifying period. Foreign nationals who leave Japan with 6+ months but fewer than 10 years of contributions may claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment (Dattai Ichijikin) within 2 years of departure, currently capped at 60 months (5 years) of contributions. Japan's public pension benefits are fully payable abroad with periodic proof of life required. From June 2027, Japan will formally check pension and health insurance payment compliance during visa renewals for all foreign residents.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/index.html","name":"Japan Pension Service (English)"},{"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/nationalpension/nationalpension.html","name":"Japan Pension Service — National Pension System"},{"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/withdrawalpayment/payment.html","name":"Japan Pension Service — Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments"},{"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/english/agreement/status.html","name":"Japan Pension Service — Totalization Agreements Status"},{"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/n_net/","name":"NENKIN-NET Online Portal"},{"url":"https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/pension/pension/index.html","name":"Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (English)"},{"url":"https://www.pfa.or.jp/english/deferred/howto/index.html","name":"Pension Fund Association (English — DC/iDeCo overseas claims)"},{"url":"https://www.nta.go.jp/english/taxes/individual/12005.htm","name":"National Tax Agency — Lump-sum Withdrawal Tax"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.html","name":"US Social Security Administration — Japan Totalization Agreement"},{"url":"https://www.ideco-koushiki.jp/english/","name":"iDeCo Official Website (English)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/jp/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/jp","system_type":"Bismarckian/Mixed — mandatory two-tier public PAYG system with voluntary occupational and individual DC components","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Mandatory public pension — National Pension (flat-rate, universal) + Employees' Pension Insurance (earnings-related). Pillar 2: Voluntary occupational DC plans (corporate-type DC, 企業型確定拠出年金) and legacy DB corporate pensions. Pillar 3: Individual voluntary savings — iDeCo (individual DC), National Pension Fund, and NISA investment accounts.","replacement_rate_gross":"~33% (mandatory public schemes only for average earner, per OECD Pensions at a Glance 2023); government target is 50% of average net wage for model couple (one earner, 40-year career) including both National Pension and Employees' Pension combined; current replacement rate estimated at 61.2% by Japanese government method for model household","min_qualifying_period":"10 years (120 months) of combined contribution-paid, contribution-exempted, and credited periods for basic old-age pension eligibility. Full pension requires 40 years (480 months). Reduced from 25 years to 10 years effective August 2017.","min_qualifying_partial":"Any period between 10 and 40 years yields a proportionally reduced pension (e.g., 20 years = 50% of full basic pension)","aggregation_rules":"Totalization agreements with 24 partner countries allow combination of Japanese and foreign coverage periods to meet the 10-year minimum qualifying period. Benefits are calculated and paid separately by each country proportional to its own coverage periods. Dual-coverage periods are not counted twice. Japanese coverage periods can also help meet partner-country eligibility requirements. Kara kikan (credited periods for time spent abroad after age 20) may apply for those who later obtain permanent residency.","totalization_partners":["United States","United Kingdom","Germany","Belgium","France","Canada","Australia","Netherlands","Czech Republic","Spain","Ireland","Brazil","Switzerland","Hungary","India","Luxembourg","Philippines","Slovakia","Finland","Sweden","South Korea","China","Italy","Austria"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employees' Pension contribution rate has been fixed at 18.3% since September 2017. The earnings ceiling for Employees' Pension contributions is ¥650,000/month standard monthly remuneration (planned to rise to ¥750,000/month under 2025 Pension Reform Act, effective date by Cabinet Order). National Pension contributions are flat-rate regardless of income. Advance payment discounts available (e.g., 2-year prepayment saves ~¥17,000). Contribution exemptions available for low-income individuals (full, 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4 exemption). Maternity and parental leave periods are contribution-exempt without affecting benefit calculation.","employee_pct":"Employees' Pension Insurance: 9.15% of standard monthly remuneration (fixed since September 2017)","employer_pct":"Employees' Pension Insurance: 9.15% of standard monthly remuneration (equal split; total combined rate 18.3%)","self_employed_pct":"National Pension flat rate: ¥17,920/month (FY2026, April 2026–March 2027); projected ¥18,290/month (FY2027). Optional additional premium of ¥400/month available for a modest benefit boost."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"iDeCo contributions must be made by the last business day of each month. Annual enrollment/change deadlines vary by financial institution. Changing contribution amounts typically takes 1–2 months for processing.","available":true,"annual_cost":"iDeCo (until November 2026): up to ¥816,000/year for self-employed (¥68,000/month × 12); up to ¥276,000/year for employees without corporate DC (¥23,000/month × 12). From December 1, 2026: up to ¥900,000/year for self-employed (¥75,000/month × 12); up to ¥744,000/year for employees without corporate DC (¥62,000/month × 12). Corporate DC: employer-determined up to ¥660,000/year (¥55,000/month × 12, rising to ¥744,000 from January 2027). Optional National Pension additional premium: ¥4,800/year (¥400/month).","benefit_per_year":"iDeCo: Investment-based; returns depend on fund performance. Tax benefits: contributions fully deductible from income tax; investment growth tax-free; withdrawals receive retirement income deduction (lump sum) or public pension deduction (annuity). National Pension additional premium: ¥200/month additional benefit per month of additional premium paid.","eligibility_conditions":"iDeCo: Available to residents aged 20 up to 65 (rising to 70 from December 2026 under 2025 reforms) not already receiving old-age pension or iDeCo benefits. Employees in corporate DC plans may also contribute to iDeCo up to applicable sub-limits. Self-employed (Category 1) have the highest iDeCo limits. Corporate DC: Available to employees of participating companies; employer enrollment required. Voluntary National Pension: Japanese nationals and certain foreign nationals aged 20–65 residing abroad may voluntarily continue National Pension contributions."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+0.7% per month of deferral (+8.4% per year); maximum +84% for deferring 10 years to age 75. Late claiming available between ages 65 and 75.","early_reduction":"-0.4% per month of early claiming (-4.8% per year); maximum -24% for claiming 5 years early at age 60. Early claiming available from age 60."},"access_options":{"notes":"National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) and Employees' Pension (Kosei Nenkin): Monthly annuity from age 65 (standard). Early claiming from age 60 at reduced rate (-0.4%/month); deferred claiming up to age 75 at enhanced rate (+0.7%/month). Minimum 10 years of contributions required. iDeCo (individual DC): Lump sum, annuity, or combination from age 60 (with 10+ years of iDeCo participation); deadline to begin receiving extended from age 70 to 75 under 2025 reforms. Corporate DC plans: Per scheme rules, generally same as iDeCo. DB corporate pensions: Per scheme rules.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment (Dattai Ichijikin, 脱退一時金): Available to non-Japanese nationals who leave Japan with 6+ months of National Pension or Employees' Pension contributions and do not meet the 10-year qualifying period for old-age pension. Must apply within 2 years of losing Japanese residence registration. Current cap: 60 months (5 years) of contributions used in calculation — even if contributed longer, only 5 years are refunded but all contribution records are permanently erased. Under the 2025 Pension Reform Act (enacted June 13, 2025), the cap will rise to 96 months (8 years), effective by Cabinet Order within 4 years of promulgation (~2029); as of mid-2026, the effective date has not yet been fixed and the 60-month cap continues to apply. Additionally, once the reform takes effect, those leaving Japan with a valid re-entry permit will not be able to claim the lump-sum while that permit remains valid. National Pension lump-sum withdrawal is tax-free; Employees' Pension lump-sum withdrawal is subject to 20.42% withholding tax (refundable via tax agent filing). Claiming the lump-sum permanently erases all contribution history and precludes future Japanese pension eligibility or totalization for those periods."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump-sum withdrawal (Dattai Ichijikin) for departing non-Japanese nationals: Employees' Pension portion subject to 20.42% withholding tax at source (20% income tax + 0.42% reconstruction surtax). National Pension portion is tax-free. Tax refund available by appointing a Japanese tax agent before departure and filing a tax return (Form 1/2/3) after receiving the payment notice. Under selective taxation provisions, recipients may opt to be taxed as residents on retirement income, potentially reducing the effective rate. iDeCo/corporate DC lump-sum withdrawals: Taxed as retirement income with retirement income deduction (退職所得控除) — first several million yen tax-free depending on years of participation.","special_tax_regimes":"Selective taxation option for lump-sum withdrawal: non-residents may elect to be taxed as residents on retirement income, potentially reducing effective tax rate below 20.42% flat withholding. Treaty-based exemptions may apply for certain government pension recipients.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Under the US-Japan Tax Treaty (Article 17), private pensions and social security payments received by a resident of one contracting state are taxable only in that state of residence. Government/public pensions (Article 18(2)) paid for government service are taxable only in the paying country. However, the US saving clause means US citizens/residents may still owe US tax on Japanese pension income. Japan has tax treaties with 74+ jurisdictions covering 81+ countries; treaty terms vary.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Japanese public pension (National Pension and Employees' Pension) received by US persons must be reported on US federal tax returns as foreign pension income. FBAR (FinCEN 114) filing required if Japanese pension account balances exceed $10,000. Form 8938 (FATCA) may apply. iDeCo accounts are generally not recognized as tax-deferred under US law — contributions are not US-tax-deductible and growth may be currently taxable. US-Japan tax treaty Article 17 provides residence-country-only taxation for private pensions, but the saving clause limits this benefit for US citizens. The Social Security Fairness Act (effective January 2025) eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), restoring full US Social Security benefits for those also receiving Japanese pensions.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Under most treaties, government pensions (paid for public service) are taxable only in the source country (Japan), while private/social security pensions are generally taxable only in the recipient's country of residence. The US-Japan treaty distinguishes between these categories under Articles 17 and 18.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"20.42"},"indexation":{"notes":"FY2026 National Pension benefit increased from ¥69,308 to ¥70,608/month (+1.9%); Employees' Pension model couple benefit increased from ¥232,784 to ¥237,279/month (+2.0%) — the fourth consecutive year of positive adjustment. For FY2026, average wages rose 2.1% and the macroeconomic slide factor was -0.2%, yielding net +1.9% for National Pension (under-68 recipients) and +2.0% for Employees' Pension. The 2025 Pension Reform Act includes provisions to simultaneously terminate the modified indexation of the basic pension and earnings-related portion if the basic pension benefit level is projected to decline, as a benefit floor protection measure. Benefits paid abroad receive the same indexation as domestic benefits — no frozen pension policy.","method":"Macroeconomic slide (マクロ経済スライド) adjustment: Annual benefit adjustment equals wage growth (for recipients under age 68) or CPI growth (for recipients aged 68+), minus a sustainability factor reflecting changes in the number of insured persons and increases in average life expectancy. FY2026: wages +2.1%, slide -0.2%, net +1.9% (National Pension) / +2.0% (Employees' Pension). The slide factor is not applied if it would result in a nominal reduction in benefits.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Bilateral totalization agreements with 24 countries allow combination of Japanese and foreign coverage periods to meet the 10-year minimum qualifying period; each country pays benefits proportional to its own coverage periods. Lump-sum withdrawal (Dattai Ichijikin) available for departing non-Japanese nationals with 6+ months but fewer than 10 years of contributions — currently capped at 60 months (5 years); cap rising to 96 months (8 years) under 2025 reforms (effective by Cabinet Order within 4 years of promulgation, ~2029; not yet in force as of mid-2026). iDeCo and corporate DC balances are portable between employers (rollover to new employer plan or iDeCo upon job change). DC assets of departing foreign nationals with 5 years or less of participation (or balance ≤¥250,000) may be withdrawn as a lump sum before age 60."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Old-age pension: Apply at the Japan Pension Service branch office responsible for your last address in Japan, or by mail from abroad. Applications can also be initiated through a US Social Security office (for US residents) or equivalent agency in totalization partner countries. Processing typically takes several months. Pension is paid bimonthly (every 2 months) directly to a designated bank account (Japanese or overseas). Lump-sum withdrawal: Submit the Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment Claim Form to the Japan Pension Service (3-5-24 Takaido-nishi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-8505) by mail after leaving Japan and deregistering residence. Must apply within 2 years of losing Japanese residence. Processing takes approximately 3–4 months. Payment is deposited to designated overseas bank account in foreign currency (approximately 27 currencies supported) or Japanese yen to a non-resident Japanese account.","advance_timeline":"Apply for old-age pension approximately 3 months before desired start date. Lump-sum withdrawal must be filed within 2 years of departure/residence deregistration.","payment_frequency":"Bimonthly (every 2 months); payments made in even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, December) covering the preceding 2 months","required_documents":["Basic Pension Number notice or Nenkin Techo (pension handbook)","Copy of passport (pages showing name, date of birth, nationality, signature, and residence status/departure stamp)","Overseas bank account details (bank name, branch name, branch address, account number, account holder name — must accept international wire transfers)","Certificate of removed residence (住民票の除票) or proof of residence deregistration","Employer's disqualification certificate (資格喪失証明) if enrolled in Employees' Pension","Proof of life certificate (dated within last 6 months) — for ongoing pension payments from abroad","Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment Claim Form (available in multiple languages from Japan Pension Service website)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"NENKIN-NET (ねんきんネット) online portal accessible from abroad for checking contribution records, estimated benefits, and pension statements. Requires Basic Pension Number and Japanese mobile phone number or MyNumber card for initial registration. MyNaPortal also accessible for some pension procedures.","proof_of_life_notes":"Required periodically (typically annually) to continue receiving pension payments from abroad. Acceptable documentation includes: certificate from a public institution, consulate certificate, government-issued ID with photo, or notary attestation. Japan Pension Service sends proof-of-life request forms to overseas recipients.","international_contact":{"phone":"Japan Pension Service International Department: +81-3-6700-1165 (9:00-17:30 JST weekdays); Mail: 3-5-24 Takaido-nishi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-8505, Japan"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Japanese (primary); Japan Pension Service provides multilingual guides and claim forms in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian, Filipino (Tagalog), Thai, Vietnamese, Myanmar, Cambodian, Russian, Nepali, and Mongolian. International inquiries: +81-3-6700-1165 (weekdays, JST).","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin, 国民年金)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory flat-rate basic pension for all residents of Japan aged 20–59, including Japanese citizens and legal foreign residents regardless of nationality. Three insured categories: Category 1 (self-employed, students, unemployed — pay flat-rate premium directly); Category 2 (employees covered by Employees' Pension — contributions included in EPI); Category 3 (dependent spouses of Category 2 — no direct contribution required). Full pension (FY2026: ¥847,300/year = ¥70,608/month, up 1.9% from FY2025) requires 40 years (480 months) of contributions. Benefits are proportionally reduced for shorter contribution periods. Minimum 10 years required for any benefit.","officialUrl":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/nationalpension/nationalpension.html","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years (120 months) minimum for any old-age benefit; 40 years for full benefit","contributionRateEmployee":"Flat rate: ¥17,920/month (FY2026, April 2026–March 2027); projected ¥18,290/month (FY2027). Category 2 insured (employees) have this included within their Employees' Pension contribution.","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A for National Pension (flat-rate; employer share is embedded in Employees' Pension for Category 2 insured)"},{"name":"Employees' Pension Insurance (Kosei Nenkin, 厚生年金)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related pension for all employees in private and public sectors whose employer is enrolled. Covers workers up to age 70. Contributions are earnings-related (18.3% of standard monthly remuneration, split equally between employee and employer). The earnings ceiling for contributions and benefit calculation is ¥650,000/month (planned to rise to ¥750,000/month under 2025 reforms, effective date by Cabinet Order). Employees' Pension benefit is paid in addition to the National Pension basic benefit. Model couple benefit for FY2026: ¥237,279/month (up 2.0% from FY2025's ¥232,784/month). The working pension (zaishoku rōrei nenkin) threshold for benefit reduction was raised from ¥510,000 to ¥650,000/month in April 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/employeespension/employeespension.html","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 1 month of Employees' Pension coverage required for earnings-related benefit (subject to overall 10-year qualifying period for old-age pension)","contributionRateEmployee":"9.15% of standard monthly remuneration (total rate 18.3%, fixed since September 2017)","contributionRateEmployer":"9.15% of standard monthly remuneration (equal split with employee; total 18.3%)"},{"name":"Individual-type Defined Contribution Pension (iDeCo, 個人型確定拠出年金)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual DC pension available to residents aged 20 up to 65 (being raised to 70 effective December 2026 under 2025 Pension Reform Act, within 3 years of promulgation by Cabinet Order). Contributions are fully income-tax deductible; investment growth is tax-free; withdrawals receive retirement income deduction. Monthly contribution limits (current, until November 2026): self-employed/Category 1 — up to ¥68,000/month; employees without corporate DC — up to ¥23,000/month. From December 1, 2026: self-employed to ¥75,000/month; employees without corporate DC to ¥62,000/month; Category 2 insured persons (company employees/public servants) unified to ¥62,000/month ceiling. Benefits accessible from age 60 (with 10+ years of participation) up to age 75. Lump sum, annuity, or combination payout options available.","officialUrl":"https://www.ideco-koushiki.jp/english/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10 years of iDeCo participation required to access benefits from age 60; shorter participation periods push the earliest access age later (e.g., 5 years = access from age 61)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to ¥68,000/month for self-employed (until November 2026), rising to ¥75,000/month from December 1, 2026; up to ¥23,000/month for employees without corporate DC (until November 2026), rising to ¥62,000/month from December 1, 2026","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A (individual plan; employer may offer matching via corporate DC instead)"},{"name":"Corporate Defined Contribution (DC) Plans (企業型確定拠出年金)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored DC plans contracted through a vendor. Employer sets contribution rates and investment menu; employees choose investment allocations. Monthly employer contribution ceiling: ¥55,000/month (rising to ¥62,000/month from January 2027). Employee voluntary matching contributions: restriction that employee contributions could not exceed employer contributions was abolished from April 1, 2026, allowing employees to contribute more than their employer within the overall ceiling. Portable upon job change (rollover to new employer plan or iDeCo). Benefits accessible from age 60 (with 10+ years of participation). Enrollment age extended from 65 to 70 under 2025 reforms (effective within 3 years of promulgation).","officialUrl":"https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/pension/pension/index.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10 years of DC participation for access from age 60; shorter periods push earliest access age later","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary matching contributions; restriction that employee contributions cannot exceed employer contributions abolished April 1, 2026; subject to overall ¥55,000/month ceiling (rising to ¥62,000/month from January 2027)","contributionRateEmployer":"Employer-determined; total combined (employer + employee) capped at ¥55,000/month (rising to ¥62,000/month from January 2027)"}],"cross_border_notes":["Lump-sum withdrawal (Dattai Ichijikin): Available to non-Japanese nationals with 6+ months but fewer than 10 years of contributions who permanently leave Japan. Must apply within 2 years of residence deregistration. Currently capped at 60 months (5 years) of contributions in calculation — rising to 96 months (8 years) under 2025 Pension Reform Act (effective by Cabinet Order within 4 years of promulgation, ~2029; not yet in force as of mid-2026). Once the new rules take effect, those leaving Japan with a valid re-entry permit will not be able to claim the lump-sum while that permit remains valid. Permanently erases all contribution history.","Old-age pension payable abroad: Recipients with 10+ years of qualifying contributions receive full monthly pension payments to overseas bank accounts. Benefits are uprated annually (not frozen). Periodic proof of life required.","Totalization agreements: Japan has agreements with 24 countries (as of December 2025) allowing combination of coverage periods to meet the 10-year minimum. Agreements cover elimination of dual contributions for posted workers (generally up to 5 years) and totalization of periods for benefit eligibility. Each country pays benefits proportional to its own coverage periods only.","Tax treaties: Japan has income tax treaties with 74+ jurisdictions covering 81+ countries. Under most treaties, private pension income is taxable only in the recipient's country of residence; government pensions are taxable only in the source country. US persons face saving clause limitations — Japanese pension income may still be subject to US tax despite treaty provisions.","US-Japan specifics: The US-Japan Totalization Agreement (in force October 1, 2005) eliminates dual social security contributions. US residents can apply for Japanese pension benefits through any US Social Security office using Form J/USA 1 (retirement/disability) or J/USA 2 (survivors). The Social Security Fairness Act (effective January 2025) eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), restoring full US Social Security benefits for those also receiving Japanese pensions.","2025 Pension Reform Act (enacted June 13, 2025): Key changes include abolishing the employee DC matching contribution cap (April 1, 2026 — implemented); raising iDeCo contribution limits and enrollment age to 70 (December 1, 2026); raising corporate DC ceiling to ¥62,000/month (January 2027); raising Employees' Pension earnings ceiling to ¥750,000/month (effective date by Cabinet Order); and raising lump-sum withdrawal cap from 5 to 8 years (~2029 by Cabinet Order). Expanded Employees' Pension coverage for part-time workers at smaller enterprises also planned in stages over 10 years.","Visa compliance: From June 2027, Japan's Immigration Services Agency will formally check pension and health insurance payment compliance during visa renewals and status changes for all foreign residents. Unapproved non-payment of National Pension may result in denial of visa renewal. Approved exemptions and deferrals are fully compliant. Permanent residents face a separate risk under a 2024 Immigration Act revision allowing revocation of permanent residence for failure to meet public obligations.","FY2026 benefit amounts: Full National Pension ¥70,608/month (¥847,300/year); model couple Employees' Pension ¥237,279/month — both increased for the fourth consecutive year under macroeconomic slide adjustment."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/index.html","title":"Start at the Japan Pension Service international pages","detail":"The English international section is written for exactly this situation: someone who worked in Japan and now lives elsewhere."},{"n":2,"title":"Retrieve your record with your Basic Pension Number","detail":"Nenkin Net shows your contribution months. From abroad, a written request to the branch office for your last Japanese address is often the more reliable route than the online service."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/english/agreement/status.html","title":"Check whether you reach 10 years","detail":"Japan's minimum qualifying period is 10 years. If you are short, a totalisation agreement with your other countries may bridge the gap — Japan has agreements with more than 20 countries."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/withdrawalpayment/payment.html","title":"If you left Japan, check the lump-sum withdrawal deadline","detail":"Foreign nationals who paid in for at least six months and have left Japan can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment — but the claim must be made within two years of leaving. Taking it also erases those months from any future totalisation, so it is a real trade-off, not free money."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep whatever the Japan Pension Service sends. If you later claim through a totalisation agreement, your other country's authority will need it."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have lost your Basic Pension Number","whatToDo":"The Japan Pension Service can trace it from your name, date of birth, and former addresses and employers in Japan. Old payslips or the pension handbook are the fastest evidence."},{"symptom":"You are outside Japan and the online service will not accept you","whatToDo":"Nenkin Net is built around a Japanese address. Written requests by post to the branch office for your last Japanese address are accepted from abroad, and the international section publishes the forms."},{"symptom":"You already took the lump-sum withdrawal and now want a pension","whatToDo":"Months covered by a withdrawal payment are gone for good and cannot be counted again. Check what remains rather than assuming the whole period was erased — later periods still count."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/index.html","portalName":"Japan Pension Service (Nenkin Net)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Basic Pension Number (基礎年金番号), on your pension handbook (年金手帳) or any Japan Pension Service correspondence. Without it nothing else is possible, so find it first.","Your My Number, if you had one, and the address of your last registered residence in Japan — the branch office responsible for that address handles your case.","Your Japanese employers and dates, and whether you were in the Employees' Pension (厚生年金) or the National Pension (国民年金)."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether Nenkin Net can be registered for from outside Japan without a Japanese address.","documentNameLocal":"ねんきん定期便 / 年金記録 (Nenkin Net)","documentNameEnglish":"Pension record and annual pension notice"}},{"country":"Kenya","country_code":"KE","continent":"africa","currency":"KES","retirement_age_early":50,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Kenya operates a multi-pillar retirement system anchored by the mandatory National Social Security Fund (NSSF), supplemented by occupational pension schemes, individual retirement plans, and a dedicated public service scheme. The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), established under the Retirement Benefits Act No. 3 of 1997, regulates all occupational and individual schemes, while NSSF is governed by the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013. Total industry Assets Under Management reached KSh 2.81 trillion as of December 2025, reflecting 24.57% year-on-year growth driven by the phased NSSF reforms and strong investment performance. The PSSS manages 510,661 public servants with KES 291.24 billion in AUM as of December 2025, making it the second-largest pension scheme in the country. Over 1,032 registered schemes are active as of 2025. Pension access improved from 15.2% in 2021 to 20.4% in 2024, largely credited to NSSF Act implementation, though over 70% of workers still retire without adequate pension coverage.\n\nThe NSSF Act 2013 introduced a tiered contribution structure replacing the old flat-rate KES 200/month system. Implementation is phased over five years (2023–2027), with Year 4 (February 2026) raising the Tier I lower earnings limit to KES 9,000 and the Tier II upper earnings limit to KES 108,000. Both employees and employers contribute 6% each of pensionable earnings, with a combined maximum of KES 12,960/month. Tier II contributions may be contracted out to RBA-approved private pension schemes. The Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS), launched January 2021, covers civil servants, teachers, police, and other public servants on a defined contribution basis with employee contributions of 7.5% and government contributions of 15% of basic salary. Year 5 (February 2027) further NSSF limit increases are expected, though specific figures have not yet been officially announced.\n\nSignificant tax reforms have reshaped the pension landscape. The Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 (effective December 2024) broadened pension tax exemptions to cover benefits paid upon attainment of scheme retirement age, ill-health retirement, or after 20 years of membership — removing the previous age-65 threshold and raising the pension contribution deduction limit to KES 30,000/month (KES 360,000/year). The Finance Act 2025 (effective July 2025) further exempted all gratuity payments earned after 1 July 2025 from income tax for both public and private sector employees, while deleting older specific lump-sum exemptions (KES 600,000 cap and KES 300,000 annual pension exemption) in favour of the broader exemption framework. The Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026, currently before Parliament, seeks to empower KRA to collect unremitted pension contributions from employers using enforcement tools similar to tax recovery. Kenya has no bilateral social security totalization agreements; EAC portability provisions exist in law but remain operationally limited.","has_totalization_treaties":false,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.nssf.or.ke","name":"National Social Security Fund (NSSF)"},{"url":"https://selfservice.nssf.or.ke","name":"NSSF Member Self-Service Portal"},{"url":"https://diaspora.nssfkenya.co.ke","name":"NSSF Diaspora Portal"},{"url":"https://www.rba.go.ke","name":"Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA)"},{"url":"https://www.psss.go.ke","name":"Public Service Superannuation Fund (PSSF)"},{"url":"https://mss.pssf.go.ke","name":"PSSS Member Self-Service Portal"},{"url":"https://www.treasury.go.ke/public-service-superannuation-scheme","name":"National Treasury - Pensions Department"},{"url":"https://www.kra.go.ke","name":"Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) - Tax Exemptions"},{"url":"https://www.socialprotection.go.ke","name":"State Department for Social Protection (Inua Jamii)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ke/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ke","system_type":"Multi-pillar defined contribution system with mandatory and voluntary schemes","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: Social assistance — Inua Jamii Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT) of KES 2,000/month to persons aged 70+ (Social Protection Act 2025 introduces inflation-adjustment mechanism; 2026 Budget Policy Statement proposes lowering eligibility age to 60); Pillar 1: Mandatory NSSF (National Social Security Fund) — universal coverage for formal and informal sectors, tiered DC structure; Pillar 2: Occupational pension schemes (employer-based DC/DB) and Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS) for civil servants; Pillar 3: Individual retirement savings schemes (Individual Pension Plans / Individual Retirement Benefit schemes)","replacement_rate_gross":null,"min_qualifying_period":"36 months of contributions for invalidity pension; 6 months for funeral grant; no minimum for retirement benefit at age 60","min_qualifying_partial":null,"aggregation_rules":"Kenya does not have bilateral social security totalization agreements. Within the East African Community (EAC), the NSSF Act 2013 provides for portability of Tier II contributions to partner country social security schemes, but full operationalization remains limited due to pending legal and administrative frameworks. Periods of contribution in EAC member states are not formally aggregated for qualifying period purposes.","totalization_partners":[],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"NSSF contributions are 6% each from employee and employer of pensionable earnings, totalling 12%. Phased implementation under NSSF Act 2013: Year 3 (Feb 2025): LEL KES 8,000, UEL KES 72,000, max employee/employer contribution KES 4,320 each (total KES 8,640). Year 4 (Feb 2026): LEL KES 9,000, UEL KES 108,000, max employee contribution KES 6,480, max employer contribution KES 6,480 (total KES 12,960). Year 5 (Feb 2027) further increases expected but specific limits not yet officially announced. Tier I contributions (on earnings up to LEL) are mandatory to NSSF; Tier II contributions (on earnings between LEL and UEL) may be contracted out to RBA-approved private schemes. NSSF contributions are tax-deductible pre-tax deductions. Contributions due by 9th of following month; late payment penalty of 5% per month. Pension scheme contributions (including NSSF) deductible up to KES 30,000/month (KES 360,000/year) or 30% of pensionable income (whichever is lower), increased from KES 20,000/month under Tax Laws Amendment Act 2024. PSSS: employee 7.5%, government 15% of basic salary.","employee_pct":"6%","employer_pct":"6%","self_employed_pct":"12% (both tiers combined, paid entirely by self-employed member on a voluntary basis)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":null,"available":true,"annual_cost":null,"benefit_per_year":null,"eligibility_conditions":"All NSSF members and members of occupational/individual schemes may make Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) above mandatory rates. PSSS Regulations 2025 explicitly provide for AVCs by public servants. Self-employed and informal sector workers may contribute voluntarily to NSSF or registered individual retirement schemes. Diaspora members can contribute through designated channels including the NSSF diaspora portal. Tax deduction available up to KES 30,000/month (KES 360,000/year) or 30% of pensionable income. RBA has proposed allowing access to a savings sub-account before retirement age as part of the proposed 'two-pot' reform (not yet enacted as of August 2026)."},"adjustment_rates":{"early_reduction":"No statutory actuarial reduction formula for NSSF early retirement at age 50 — members receive their full accumulated account balance. For defined benefit occupational schemes, early retirement before age 60 may result in reduced benefits per scheme rules. Members leaving employment before retirement age in a defined benefit scheme receive no more than 50% of accrued benefits, with the remainder retained until normal retirement age."},"access_options":{"notes":"At retirement (age 60, or early retirement at age 50), members have three options: (1) purchase a life annuity from a registered insurer using the full accumulated balance; (2) take the Tier I balance as a partial lump sum and purchase an annuity with the Tier II balance; (3) take the Tier I balance as a partial lump sum and receive up to one-third of the Tier II balance as a lump sum with the remainder as scheduled withdrawals. Members may also access up to 40% of accumulated contributions (capped at KES 7 million) for residential house purchase. RBA is proposing a 'two-pot' reform to allow limited pre-retirement access to a savings sub-account while ring-fencing the bulk for retirement — not yet enacted as of August 2026. Under current law, pension savings are generally locked until scheme retirement age (usually 60), with early access only on grounds of ill health or permanent emigration.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Members emigrating permanently to non-EAC countries may withdraw all accumulated NSSF benefits as a lump sum upon providing proof of permanent emigration (valid passport/Alien ID, visa to destination country, sworn affidavit declaring permanent immigration). For EAC member states, contributions and benefits are in principle exportable to partner country social security schemes, though operationalization is limited."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Finance Act 2025 (effective 1 July 2025) deleted the previous specific exemptions including the KES 600,000 lump sum cap and KES 300,000 annual periodic pension exemption. Pension and lump sum payments from registered funds are now exempt from income tax if: (1) the individual has attained the retirement age as defined by the scheme rules; (2) the individual retires before retirement age due to ill health; or (3) the withdrawal is made after 20 years from the date of registration as a member. Gratuity earned after 1 July 2025 is fully exempt from income tax for both public and private schemes. Gratuity earned before 1 July 2025 remains taxable as employment income, taxable in the year it was earned. Early withdrawals not meeting these conditions are subject to income tax at the individual's marginal rate.","special_tax_regimes":"Pension scheme contributions deductible up to KES 30,000/month (KES 360,000/year) or 30% of pensionable income (whichever is lower) — increased from KES 20,000/month under Tax Laws Amendment Act 2024 (effective December 2024). NSSF contributions are pre-tax deductions reducing taxable income. Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 streamlined registration: funds now only need RBA registration (not dual KRA registration) to qualify for tax exemptions. Tax-free withdrawals available after 20 years of scheme membership regardless of age. Employer contributions to registered schemes within the allowable limit are not taxable to the employee. The Finance Act 2025 also introduced a requirement for employers to automatically apply tax deductions, allowances and exemptions under the ITA as part of payroll withholding.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty. Kenya has over 20 active double taxation agreements (DTAs) including with the UK, Germany, France, India, Canada, South Africa, UAE, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Singapore (in force from May 2025). Treaty rates on pension/annuity income vary by agreement. No Kenya-US income tax treaty exists.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"No Kenya-US totalization agreement. No Kenya-US income tax treaty. US persons with NSSF or Kenyan pension accounts may have FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations depending on account values. Kenyan pension funds are generally not treated as qualifying foreign pension plans under US tax law without a treaty.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Historically, gratuity from public pension schemes (Consolidated Fund) was exempt from December 2024 under Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024. Finance Act 2025 (effective 1 July 2025) extended full income tax exemption on gratuity to both public and private schemes for amounts earned after 1 July 2025. Pension benefits from registered funds are exempt upon attaining scheme retirement age, after 20 years of membership, or on ill-health grounds. Employer contributions to registered schemes within the KES 30,000/month limit are not taxable in the hands of the employee.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"5"},"indexation":{"notes":"Kenya does not have a statutory indexation mechanism for NSSF or occupational pension benefits in payment. For defined contribution schemes, the effective 'pension' in retirement is the investment return on accumulated contributions. Annuities purchased from registered insurers may or may not include inflation-linking depending on the product. The Inua Jamii social pension (KES 2,000/month for persons aged 70+) has historically been fixed, but the Social Protection Act 2025 introduces a mechanism for periodic adjustment of stipends in line with inflation. Pension benefits paid abroad are subject to the same terms as domestic payments — there is no separate 'frozen' policy for overseas pensioners, but no automatic uprating mechanism exists either.","method":"Investment performance-based for DC schemes; annuity terms for annuitized benefits; no statutory CPI or wage indexation for NSSF or occupational pensions; Social Protection Act 2025 introduces inflation-adjustment mechanism for Inua Jamii social pension","abroad_status":"conditional"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Tier II NSSF contributions are portable and can be transferred to another RBA-approved scheme when changing employers or contracting out. PSSS benefits are portable — members can transfer accrued pension benefits from one registered scheme to another of a similar type. For emigrants to EAC countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC), contributions and benefits are in principle exportable to partner country social security schemes under the NSSF Act 2013, though full operationalization remains limited. For emigrants outside EAC, lump sum withdrawal of all accumulated benefits is available upon proof of permanent migration. Kenya has no bilateral social security totalization agreements with any country."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Members must visit the nearest NSSF office in person with required documents to initiate a claim. Claims are processed within approximately 2–3 months. Benefits are paid via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to a Kenyan bank account. The NSSF Member Self-Service Portal (selfservice.nssf.or.ke) and diaspora portal (diaspora.nssfkenya.co.ke) allow members to check statements and manage accounts online, but the physical claims process still requires in-person attendance or correspondence with an NSSF office. Members can also check NSSF statements by dialing *303# on their mobile phone. PSSS members can use the PSSF Member Self-Service Portal or Mobile Application; the government directed all 529,635 PSSF members to update records by August 14, 2026 as part of pension modernisation.","payment_frequency":"Periodic payments (monthly pension) for qualifying retirees; lump sum for provident fund/emigration/invalidity benefits","required_documents":["NSSF membership card","National Identity Card OR Passport OR Alien ID","Certified copy of retirement/termination/dismissal letter OR certificate of service","Bank details for EFT payment","For invalidity/disability benefits: Medical/treatment report from hospital; member examined by Fund's appointed doctor","For emigration benefit (non-EAC): Valid passport/Alien ID, visa/proof of migration to destination country outside EAC, sworn affidavit declaring permanent immigration (for Kenyan citizens)"],"local_bank_required":true,"portal_access_notes":"NSSF Member Self-Service Portal available at https://selfservice.nssf.or.ke; Diaspora portal at https://diaspora.nssfkenya.co.ke; PSSS member portal at https://mss.pssf.go.ke and mobile application. Online portals allow statement viewing and account management but physical claims submission still required for benefit payments.","proof_of_life_notes":"Specific proof of life requirements for expatriate pensioners receiving periodic payments are not formally documented in publicly available NSSF regulations. Members receiving periodic payments abroad should contact NSSF directly.","international_contact":{"email":"info@nssfkenya.co.ke","phone":"+254 (20) 2729911, 2710552","postal_address":"P.O. Box 30599 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya"},"correspondence_language":"English","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"National Social Security Fund (NSSF)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory scheme for all employees in formal and informal sectors. Structured in two tiers: Tier I (earnings up to the Lower Earnings Limit, KES 9,000 from February 2026) must go to NSSF; Tier II (earnings between LEL and Upper Earnings Limit of KES 108,000 from February 2026) may be contracted out to RBA-approved private schemes. Combined maximum contribution is KES 12,960/month (KES 6,480 each from employee and employer) from February 2026. Year 5 (February 2027) further increases expected. Provides retirement pension, invalidity, survivor, and emigration benefits. NSSF AUM reached KES 558.1 billion as of June 2025. Contributions due by 9th of following month; late payment penalty of 5% per month.","officialUrl":"https://www.nssf.or.ke","vestingYears":3,"vestingPeriod":"36 months of contributions for invalidity pension; 6 months for funeral grant; no minimum qualifying period for retirement benefit at age 60","contributionRateEmployee":"6%","contributionRateEmployer":"6%"},{"name":"Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS)","type":"state","description":"Defined contribution scheme for civil servants, teachers (TSC), National Police Service, Prisons Service, and National Youth Service. Commenced 1 January 2021, replacing the old non-contributory Cap 189 defined benefit scheme for new entrants and those under 45 as of January 2021. Regulated by RBA. As of December 2025, manages 510,661 members (63% teachers) with KES 291.24 billion in AUM — the second-largest pension scheme in Kenya. Declared 17.68% interest return for 2024/2025 financial year. Members may access up to 40% (capped at KES 7 million) of accumulated contributions to purchase a residential house. New PSSS Regulations 2025 (gazetted June 2025) govern member accounts, AVCs, and benefit claims. Government directed all PSSF members to update records via Member Self-Service Portal by August 14, 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.psss.go.ke","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years for full vesting of employer contributions","contributionRateEmployee":"7.5%","contributionRateEmployer":"15%"},{"name":"Occupational Pension Schemes","type":"occupational","description":"Employer-sponsored defined contribution or defined benefit schemes regulated by the RBA. Tier II NSSF contributions may be redirected to these schemes. Members may assign up to 60% of benefits as mortgage guarantees or access up to 40% (capped at KES 7 million) for direct residential house purchases. As of December 2024, over 1,032 registered schemes managed approximately KES 2.25 trillion in assets. Consolidation trend ongoing: 946 schemes submitted audited accounts in 2025, down from 950 in 2024, as small occupational schemes merge into umbrella funds. Unremitted pension contributions stood at KES 66.41 billion at end of December 2025, with the KRA Amendment Bill 2026 before Parliament to enforce collection.","officialUrl":"https://www.rba.go.ke","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Variable (typically 5–10% of basic salary)","contributionRateEmployer":"Variable (typically 5–20% of basic salary)"},{"name":"Individual Pension Plans (IPPs) / Individual Retirement Benefit Schemes (IRBs)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary personal retirement savings plans regulated by the RBA. Available to employed and self-employed individuals. Contributions deductible up to KES 30,000/month (KES 360,000/year) or 30% of pensionable income, whichever is lower (limit increased from KES 20,000/month under Tax Laws Amendment Act 2024). Diaspora members can contribute voluntarily through designated channels. Tax-free withdrawals available upon attaining scheme retirement age, after 20 years of membership, or on ill-health grounds under the Finance Act 2025 framework.","officialUrl":"https://www.rba.go.ke","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Variable","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Kenya has no bilateral social security totalization agreements with any country. Confirmed by multiple sources including Tolley's Global Mobility (2025).","The NSSF Act 2013 provides in principle for portability of Tier II contributions to EAC partner states (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC), but full operationalization remains limited due to pending legal and administrative frameworks.","Members emigrating permanently outside the EAC may withdraw all accumulated NSSF benefits as a lump sum upon providing proof of permanent emigration including a sworn affidavit.","Kenya has over 20 active double taxation agreements (DTAs) including with the UK, Germany, France, India, Canada, South Africa, UAE, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Singapore (in force from May 2025), which may reduce withholding tax on pension income paid to non-residents. There is no Kenya-US income tax treaty.","Non-resident withholding tax on pension/annuity payments from Kenyan sources is 5%, subject to reduction under applicable double taxation agreements.","Finance Act 2025 (effective 1 July 2025) significantly restructured pension tax exemptions: the previous KES 600,000 lump sum cap and KES 300,000 annual pension exemption were deleted; exemptions now apply upon attaining scheme retirement age, after 20 years of membership, or on ill-health grounds regardless of age.","Gratuity earned after 1 July 2025 is fully exempt from income tax for both public and private sector employees under the Finance Act 2025. Gratuity earned before 1 July 2025 remains taxable in the year it was earned.","NSSF contributions are tax-deductible pre-tax deductions, reducing taxable income. Pension scheme contributions (including NSSF) are deductible up to KES 30,000/month (KES 360,000/year) or 30% of pensionable income — increased from KES 20,000/month under Tax Laws Amendment Act 2024 (effective December 2024).","The RBA is proposing a 'two-pot' pension reform to allow limited pre-retirement access to a savings sub-account while ring-fencing the bulk of contributions for retirement — not yet enacted as of August 2026. The KRA Amendment Bill 2026 (before Parliament) would empower KRA to collect unremitted pension contributions from employers using tax enforcement tools.","NSSF Year 4 rates (effective February 2026): Tier I LEL KES 9,000; Tier II UEL KES 108,000; maximum total contribution KES 12,960/month (KES 6,480 each from employee and employer). Year 5 (February 2027) further increases expected but specific limits not yet officially announced.","The Social Protection Act 2025 institutionalises the Inua Jamii programme into law and introduces a mechanism for periodic adjustment of the KES 2,000/month stipend in line with inflation. A 2026 Budget Policy Statement proposal seeks to lower the Inua Jamii eligibility age from 70 to 60.","Unremitted pension contributions stood at KES 66.41 billion at end of December 2025 (down from KES 72.5 billion in June 2025), with the public sector accounting for 93% of arrears. The KRA Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to address this through expanded enforcement powers."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://selfservice.nssf.or.ke","title":"Register on the NSSF self-service portal","detail":"The National Social Security Fund holds the mandatory contributions; the self-service portal shows your statement."},{"n":2,"url":"https://diaspora.nssfkenya.co.ke","title":"If you are abroad, use the diaspora portal","detail":"NSSF runs a separate diaspora channel, which is the right entry point for members outside Kenya."},{"n":3,"title":"Check your contributions against the tier changes","detail":"Contribution rates rose substantially under the NSSF Act 2013 as it was phased in, so recent years look very different from older ones. Both are yours."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.rba.go.ke","title":"Check any occupational scheme separately","detail":"Many Kenyan employers run their own registered schemes on top of NSSF. Those are regulated by the Retirement Benefits Authority and hold their own records."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF. Claims are generally initiated in person at an NSSF office and take a couple of months to process."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"The claim process expects you to attend an office in person","whatToDo":"This is the standard route. The diaspora portal exists for members abroad, and an authorised representative can attend on your behalf with the right documentation."},{"symptom":"Your employer deducted but did not remit","whatToDo":"NSSF pursues non-remitting employers. Payslips showing the deduction are the evidence, and the Retirement Benefits Authority handles complaints about occupational schemes."},{"symptom":"You cannot find your membership number","whatToDo":"It is on payslips and NSSF correspondence. NSSF can trace it from your ID or passport number and employer."}],"portalUrl":"https://selfservice.nssf.or.ke","portalName":"NSSF Self-Service / Diaspora Portal","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your NSSF membership number and national ID or passport number.","Your Kenyan employers and dates.","A Kenyan bank account if you expect a payment — benefits are paid by electronic transfer to a Kenyan bank."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether NSSF can pay a benefit to a non-Kenyan bank account.","documentNameLocal":"NSSF member statement","documentNameEnglish":"NSSF member statement"}},{"country":"Kuwait","country_code":"KW","continent":"asia","currency":"KWD","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":50,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"Kuwait operates a mandatory social insurance pension system administered by the Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS), established under Law No. 61 of 1976 and significantly amended by Law No. 110 of 2014. The system covers Kuwaiti nationals and GCC nationals working in Kuwait, providing three types of pension benefits: a basic pension, a supplemental pension, and a remuneration pension. The State Public Treasury also contributes to the system, making it a tripartite arrangement between employees, employers, and the government. Retirement ages are gender-differentiated: 50 for women and 55 for men, with a minimum of 15 years of qualifying service. An early retirement law also allows full benefits for men with 30 years of service and women with 25 years, regardless of age. As of September 2024, PIFSS officially confirmed that no changes to retirement ages or social insurance laws have been enacted, despite media speculation about raising the retirement age.\n\nExpatriate workers (non-GCC nationals) are entirely excluded from the PIFSS social insurance scheme and instead receive an end-of-service gratuity (indemnity) under Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010. This gratuity is calculated at 15 days' pay per year for the first five years and one month's pay per year thereafter for monthly-paid employees, capped at 18 months' total remuneration. Kuwait has no personal income tax, so all pension and gratuity payments are received gross. The GCC Unified Law on Insurance Protection Extension (Law 44 of 2007) allows Kuwaiti nationals working in other GCC states to maintain mandatory PIFSS contributions, ensuring cross-border pension continuity within the Gulf region. PIFSS is also implementing reforms to the self-employed contribution bracket system, aligning brackets with education level and income to improve pension adequacy.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.pifss.gov.kw","name":"PIFSS — Public Institution for Social Security"},{"url":"https://e.gov.kw/sites/kgoenglish/Pages/eServices/PIFFS/RetirementDayCalculator.aspx","name":"Kuwait Government Online — PIFSS e-Services (Retirement Day Calculator)"},{"url":"https://www.manpower.gov.kw","name":"Kuwait Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (Manpower)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/kw/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/kw","system_type":"Bismarckian (earnings-related social insurance for Kuwaiti/GCC nationals); employer-liability end-of-service gratuity for expatriate workers","pillar_structure":"Single mandatory pillar: PIFSS social insurance (basic + supplemental + remuneration pension) for Kuwaiti and GCC nationals; employer-funded end-of-service gratuity for expatriates under Labour Law","replacement_rate_gross":"65% of final salary at 15 years of service (minimum); 2% accrual per additional year up to a maximum of ~95% for long-service or disability cases","min_qualifying_period":"15 years of calculated service for standard pension; 24 months of contributions must be completed after 1 January 2015 (with exceptions for death, total invalidity, reaching mandatory retirement age, or 30 years of actual service)","min_qualifying_partial":"Pension calculated on actual years of service if less than 15 years in cases of disability or death; remuneration pension requires minimum 18 years of contributions for maximum benefit; partial pension available at age 50+ with at least 7.5 years of actual service upon service termination","aggregation_rules":"GCC Unified Law on Insurance Protection Extension (Law 44 of 2007, effective 1 Jan 2006) allows aggregation of contribution periods across all six GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) for Kuwaiti nationals. Previous service periods in eligible government and public entities can be conjoined upon application within 2 years of joining or obtaining citizenship. Nominal periods of up to 5 years may be added during service (in 3-month multiples). For Kuwaitis working in GCC states, registration with PIFSS is mandatory (not voluntary); the host country's social insurance agency collects contributions and remits to PIFSS.","totalization_partners":["Bahrain","Oman","Qatar","Saudi Arabia","United Arab Emirates"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Following Law 110 of 2014 (effective 1 Jan 2015): employee contributes 8% on salary up to KWD 2,750/month (basic + supplemental), plus an additional 2.5% on salary up to KWD 1,500/month (remuneration/gratuity component), totalling up to 10.5%. Employer contributes 11.5% on salary up to KWD 2,750/month. State Public Treasury contributes 10% to finance any deficit. Salary ceiling for basic insurance: KWD 1,500/month; overall pensionable salary cap: KWD 2,750/month. Expatriates have no PIFSS obligations. Both employer and employee also contribute 0.5% each to the unemployment insurance fund (private/oil sector Kuwaiti nationals only, from 2013). Contributions are due to PIFSS by the 15th of the following month.","employee_pct":"8–10.5","employer_pct":11.5,"self_employed_pct":"5–15% on chosen income band from 27 brackets (KWD 200–1,500/month); plus 3.5% benefit adjustment and 2.5% remuneration pension contribution"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary coverage available for: (1) Kuwaiti citizens working abroad for non-GCC employers or for diplomatic missions/international organizations in Kuwait; (2) self-employed Kuwaiti civilians who select contribution rates from 27 income brackets (KWD 200–1,500/month). For Kuwaitis working in GCC states, registration is mandatory (not voluntary). Self-employed contribution brackets are being reformed by PIFSS to align with education level and income, with mandatory progression to higher brackets for new members and gradual transition for existing members."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Supplemental pension increased by 5% for each year of deferral beyond normal retirement age; basic pension may be deferred with no upper age limit; maximum combined pension can reach approximately 95% of final salary in disability or long-service cases","early_reduction":"Approximately 2% per year before standard retirement age; early retirement (before age 50 for women / 55 for men) requires 30 years service (men) or 25 years (women) for full benefit with no reduction"},"access_options":{"notes":"PIFSS basic and supplemental pensions are paid as monthly annuities. The remuneration pension component may be paid as a lump sum. Pensioners may commute up to 25% of their pension (not exceeding 7 advance monthly payments) as a lump sum, provided they have at least 25 years of actual service and are under age 65; the commuted amount is repaid at 15% of monthly pension. Minimum combined basic and supplemental monthly pension ranges from KWD 577 (women and single men) to KWD 990 (men with 5+ dependent children). Expatriate end-of-service gratuity is paid as a lump sum upon termination/departure with no restriction on repatriation of funds.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Expatriate end-of-service gratuity paid as lump sum upon termination or departure; no restriction on repatriating funds. Non-Kuwaiti/non-GCC nationals cannot participate in PIFSS and have no withdrawal rights from it. GCC nationals may have reciprocal pension rights under the GCC Agreement."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Not taxed in Kuwait (no personal income tax). US persons receiving PIFSS or gratuity payments may have US tax obligations; Kuwait has no income tax treaty with the US, so no treaty relief is available for US taxpayers.","special_tax_regimes":"Kuwait has no personal income tax for individuals. Foreign companies operating in Kuwait are subject to 15% corporate income tax on Kuwait-sourced profits. Kuwait is implementing OECD Pillar Two 15% minimum top-up tax for qualifying MNEs. A Kuwait-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed in February 2024 and endorsed by Kuwait via Decree No. 7 of 2024, though it covers corporate/investment income rather than personal pension income.","treaty_relief_available":false,"us_reporting_obligations":"No US-Kuwait income tax treaty exists. US persons with PIFSS accounts may need to report on FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA Form 8938 if account values exceed thresholds. PIFSS is a defined benefit government social insurance scheme; defined benefit plans are generally not FBAR-reportable before retirement (no segregated account balance), but professional advice is recommended. Kuwait has a FATCA IGA (signed 29 April 2015) treating Kuwait retirement plans as deemed-compliant FFIs or exempt beneficial owners for US FATCA purposes.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction relevant for Kuwait tax purposes as there is no personal income tax. However, Kuwait has signed a FATCA IGA with the United States (signed 29 April 2015, Ministerial Order No. 48 of 2015), under which Kuwait retirement plans (including PIFSS) are treated as deemed-compliant FFIs or exempt beneficial owners for US FATCA purposes.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% — Kuwait has no personal income tax; all pension and gratuity payments are made gross"},"indexation":{"notes":"PIFSS basic, supplemental, and survivor pensions are explicitly not payable abroad per the Social Security Law and confirmed by ISSA 2025 country profile. Ad hoc flat-rate adjustments are made to in-payment pensions (generally every three years) by government decision — not automatic or CPI-linked. No legislated future increases are foreseen. Expatriate end-of-service gratuity is a one-time lump sum with no indexation.","method":"Flat-rate discretionary ad hoc adjustments generally every 3 years by government decree; not linked to CPI or wages","abroad_status":"frozen"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"PIFSS pensions are not payable abroad (basic, supplemental, and survivor pensions are Kuwait-resident only). Kuwaiti nationals who relocate abroad lose access to monthly pension payments. GCC coordination under Law 44 of 2007 allows Kuwaiti nationals working in other GCC states to maintain PIFSS contributions on a mandatory basis, with periods aggregated for benefit calculation. No bilateral social security agreements exist with non-GCC countries. Expatriates receive end-of-service gratuity as a portable lump sum with no restrictions on repatriation."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Applications for PIFSS retirement pension must be submitted to PIFSS directly, either during service or within one month of the retirement date. The employer must register the employee with PIFSS within 10 days of commencement of employment. For employees working abroad (Kuwaitis in GCC states), Form No. 104 must be completed and documents authenticated by the Kuwaiti embassy/consulate in the country of work. Employment must cease before pension payments commence. Pension is suspended immediately upon re-employment in a government entity. A new AS'HAL Portal mandating salary reporting for compliance was introduced in November 2025.","advance_timeline":"Application may be submitted during service or within 1 month of retirement date; service period conjoinment applications must be submitted within 2 years of joining or obtaining citizenship","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Kuwaiti civil ID (copy)","Nationality certificate (copy)","Birth certificate (copy)","Recent salary certificate from employer (indicating basic salary, social allowance, and gross salary by sector)","Service termination decision or employment records","Bank account details (Kuwait-based bank)","Form No. 103 (Notice of Enrollment/Termination of Insured's Service)","For employees abroad: Form No. 104 (Employee Abroad), employment contract or salary certificate authenticated by Kuwaiti embassy/consulate","For service conjoinment: certificate of previous service periods indicating start/end dates and reason for termination","For self-employed: academic certificate, business license or proof of business activity, company articles of incorporation"],"local_bank_required":true,"portal_access_notes":"The PIFSS web portal (pifss.gov.kw) is accessible internationally and provides retirement calculators, electronic forms, and service information for Kuwaiti and GCC nationals. The Kuwait Government Online portal (e.gov.kw) also provides PIFSS-related e-services including a Retirement Day Calculator. However, pension payments themselves are restricted to Kuwait-based bank accounts.","proof_of_life_notes":"PIFSS implements an annual updating process for non-Kuwaiti pensioners and beneficiaries (e.g., surviving spouses) to verify their legal standing and eligibility, in line with ISSA Guidelines on Error, Evasion and Fraud. Kuwaiti pensioners residing abroad face practical difficulties as pensions are not officially payable outside Kuwait.","international_contact":{"phone":"PIFSS, Block 1, Al Soor Street, Al Murqab, Kuwait City, Al Asimah 13104, Kuwait; Email: taminat@pifss.gov.kw; Website: https://www.pifss.gov.kw"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Arabic (official); English documentation accepted with Arabic translation for some processes","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"PIFSS Basic Pension (Social Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related basic pension for Kuwaiti nationals and GCC nationals employed in Kuwait's public and private sectors. Covers retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Contributory salary capped at KWD 1,500/month for basic insurance. Retirement age is 55 for men and 50 for women with at least 15 years of qualifying service. The pension is not payable abroad.","officialUrl":"https://www.pifss.gov.kw","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years minimum qualifying service","contributionRateEmployee":"5% of basic insurable salary (up to KWD 1,500/month); plus 2.5% gratuity/remuneration contribution effective Jan 2015","contributionRateEmployer":"10% of basic insurable salary (up to KWD 1,500/month); plus 1% benefit adjustment contribution"},{"name":"PIFSS Supplemental Pension (Social Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory supplemental pension layer for Kuwaiti and GCC nationals, calculated on insurable allowances and salary above the basic insurance ceiling. Contributory salary between KWD 1,501 and KWD 2,750/month. The supplemental pension is not payable abroad.","officialUrl":"https://www.pifss.gov.kw","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"Same qualifying conditions as basic pension","contributionRateEmployee":"5% of supplemental insurable salary (KWD 1,501–2,750/month); plus 2.5% benefit adjustment","contributionRateEmployer":"10% of supplemental insurable salary; plus 1% benefit adjustment"},{"name":"PIFSS Remuneration Pension","type":"state","description":"Additional pension component calculated on the insured's earnings used for the basic pension, multiplied by years of contributions up to a maximum of 18 years. Contributions cease after 18 years. Paid as a lump sum or monthly pension component.","officialUrl":"https://www.pifss.gov.kw","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Must qualify for basic or supplemental pension; minimum 24 months contributions after Jan 2015","contributionRateEmployee":"2.5% of monthly covered earnings (up to KWD 1,500/month); ceases after 18 years","contributionRateEmployer":"5% of monthly covered payroll (up to KWD 1,500/month)"},{"name":"Military Pension (Law on Retirement Pensions and Remunerations for Military Personnel)","type":"state","description":"Separate pension scheme for military personnel and armed forces. Government contributes 32.5% of monthly payroll. Governed by distinct legislation from civilian PIFSS.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":"32.5% of monthly payroll (government contribution)"},{"name":"End-of-Service Gratuity (Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, Articles 51–53)","type":"private","description":"Mandatory employer-funded lump-sum benefit for all private sector workers not covered by PIFSS social insurance, primarily expatriate (non-GCC) workers. Monthly-paid employees: 15 days' pay per year for first 5 years, then 1 month's pay per year thereafter. Capped at 18 months' total remuneration. Calculated on last drawn basic salary. Gratuity is reduced by 50% if employee resigns before completing 3 years, and by 33% if resigning after 3 but before 5 years. Full gratuity is paid upon termination without cause or resignation after 5+ years.","officialUrl":"https://www.manpower.gov.kw","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 1 year of continuous service for eligibility","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employer-funded only)","contributionRateEmployer":"Employer liability; no fixed percentage — accrues based on salary and service length"}],"cross_border_notes":["PIFSS basic, supplemental, and survivor pensions are NOT payable abroad — Kuwaiti nationals must reside in Kuwait to receive monthly pension payments (confirmed by ISSA 2025 country profile)","GCC Unified Law on Insurance Protection Extension (Law 44 of 2007): Kuwaiti nationals working in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or UAE are mandatorily covered by PIFSS; contributions are collected by the host country's social insurance agency and remitted to PIFSS","Expatriates (non-GCC nationals) are entirely excluded from PIFSS; they receive only end-of-service gratuity under Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 — a portable lump sum with no restrictions on repatriation","Kuwait has no bilateral social security (totalization) agreements with non-GCC countries; no agreement with the United States, UK, EU member states, or other major economies","Kuwait has no personal income tax; all pension and gratuity payments are made gross with 0% withholding","Kuwait signed a FATCA IGA with the United States on 29 April 2015 (Ministerial Order No. 48 of 2015); PIFSS and Kuwait retirement plans are treated as deemed-compliant FFIs or exempt beneficial owners for US FATCA purposes","No US-Kuwait income tax treaty exists; US persons with Kuwait pension interests should seek specialist advice on FBAR, Form 8938, and income tax treatment","PIFSS officially confirmed in September 2024 that retirement ages (50 for women, 55 for men) and social insurance laws remain unchanged, despite media reports of proposed reforms","Early retirement law allows full pension benefits for men with 30 years of service and women with 25 years of service, regardless of age","Self-employed Kuwaiti civilians are subject to ongoing PIFSS reforms aligning contribution brackets with education level and income to improve pension adequacy; new members are assigned brackets based on education with mandatory progression to higher brackets","A Kuwait-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed February 2024 and endorsed by Kuwait via Decree No. 7 of 2024; primarily relevant for corporate/investment income rather than personal pension income","A new AS'HAL Portal mandating salary reporting for payroll compliance was introduced in November 2025"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Establish whether PIFSS covered you","detail":"PIFSS administers Kuwait's social insurance for nationals and GCC nationals. If you were an expatriate employee, there is no PIFSS record to find."},{"n":2,"url":"https://e.gov.kw/sites/kgoenglish/Pages/eServices/PIFFS/RetirementDayCalculator.aspx","title":"Nationals: use PIFSS e-services","detail":"Kuwait's government portal exposes PIFSS services, including a retirement date calculator."},{"n":3,"title":"Nationals: check your contributory service","detail":"Employers must register employees within days of starting. Applications for a pension are made to PIFSS during service or shortly after the retirement date, so timing matters."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.manpower.gov.kw","title":"Expatriates: assemble the indemnity evidence","detail":"The Kuwaiti labour law sets the end-of-service indemnity formula, which varies with length of service and whether you resigned or were terminated."},{"n":5,"title":"Keep the documents","detail":"Save the statement or the settlement with your contract."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You were an expatriate employee, so the pension authority has no record of you","whatToDo":"That is the expected answer, not a lost record. Your entitlement is the end-of-service gratuity your employer owes, calculated from your basic salary and length of service under the labour law. Your employment contract and final settlement are the documents, and PensionChart's free Gulf gratuity calculator will show you what the statutory formula produces."},{"symptom":"You are a GCC national who worked in Kuwait","whatToDo":"Under the GCC extension of insurance protection your Kuwaiti service is recorded toward your home country's scheme. Contact your home authority, which holds the coordinated record."},{"symptom":"You cannot reach PIFSS from abroad","whatToDo":"PIFSS handles cases in person in Kuwait; an authorised representative with a power of attorney is the usual route for someone who has left."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.pifss.gov.kw","portalName":"PIFSS","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Whether you are a Kuwaiti or GCC national, or an expatriate — PIFSS covers nationals and GCC nationals working in Kuwait; expatriates receive an end-of-service indemnity from the employer.","Your civil ID number.","For expatriates: contract, salary history and service dates."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether PIFSS e-services are accessible to a former member outside Kuwait.","documentNameLocal":"بيان الاشتراكات (PIFSS)","documentNameEnglish":"Social security contribution statement"}},{"country":"Luxembourg","country_code":"LU","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":57,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Luxembourg operates one of the most generous pension systems in the OECD, built on a mandatory pay-as-you-go (PAYG) defined benefit first pillar managed by the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Pension (CNAP). The legal retirement age is 65, with early retirement possible from age 57 (with 480 months of compulsory contributions) or 60 (with a qualifying insurance record, gradually increasing from 480 to 488 months between July 2026 and 2030). The system is tripartite, financed equally by employees, employers, and the state. A major reform law (Law of 19 December 2025, Mémorial A-2025-606) raised the overall contribution rate from 24% to 25.5% effective 1 January 2026 (8.5% each from employee, employer, and state), introduced a progressive pension option for the private sector, tightened early retirement at 60 by gradually increasing the required contribution period, and raised the Pillar 3 tax deduction ceiling from EUR 3,200 to EUR 4,500 per year. The 25.5% rate is set to remain in force through 2032. A new index tranche triggered on 1 June 2026 raised all pensions by 2.5%, moving the cost-of-living index from 968.04 to 992.24.\n\nLuxembourg has an exceptionally large cross-border workforce of approximately 233,260 daily commuters as of 2025 (roughly 54% from France, 23% from Belgium, and 23% from Germany), making cross-border pension coordination a central feature of the system. EU Regulation 883/2004 governs coordination with all EU/EEA member states, and Luxembourg has 41 bilateral social security agreements with non-EU countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Net replacement rates are 85% or more for average earners, among the highest in the OECD (Pensions at a Glance 2025), though sustainability concerns have prompted the 2026 reform package, which is projected to stabilise the general pension scheme's finances until 2042 and preserve reserves until 2050.\n\nThe second pillar consists of voluntary occupational supplementary pension schemes (RCP/RCPI) set up by employers under the Law of 8 June 1999, extended to self-employed persons since 2019. The third pillar comprises individual private pension savings contracts (Article 111bis LIR) with a tax deduction of up to EUR 4,500 per year per taxpayer from 2026. Pensions are indexed via a dual mechanism: automatic price indexation (triggered when the six-month average CPI rises by 2.5%) and periodic wage readjustment linked to the financial balance of the general scheme.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://cnap.public.lu","name":"CNAP — Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Pension"},{"url":"https://guichet.public.lu","name":"Guichet.lu — Official Luxembourg Administrative Portal"},{"url":"https://myguichet.public.lu","name":"MyGuichet.lu — Online Services Portal"},{"url":"https://igss.gouvernement.lu","name":"IGSS — Inspection Générale de la Sécurité Sociale"},{"url":"https://www.cssf.lu","name":"CSSF — Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier"},{"url":"https://m3s.gouvernement.lu/en/campagnes/lancement-schwatzmat-systeme-retraite1.html","name":"Luxembourg Government — Pension Reform 2026"},{"url":"https://gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/toutes_actualites/articles/2025/12-decembre/nouveautes-2026.html","name":"Luxembourg Government — New in 2026"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/lu/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/lu","system_type":"Public Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) defined benefit","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: CNAP (mandatory PAYG DB, tripartite — employee 8.5%, employer 8.5%, state 8.5% from 2026 through 2032); Pillar 2: Complementary occupational pension schemes (RCP/RCPI — voluntary, employer-initiated DC, also available to self-employed since 2019); Pillar 3: Private pension savings contracts (voluntary, tax deduction up to EUR 4,500/year per taxpayer from 2026)","replacement_rate_gross":"≥70% gross for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); net replacement rate 85%+ (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025)","min_qualifying_period":"10 years (120 months) total insurance periods (including aggregated EU/EEA/agreement-country periods), with at least 1 year of actual Luxembourg contributions, for standard pension at 65. 40 years (480 months) of compulsory insurance for early retirement at 57 (unchanged by 2026 reform). For early retirement at 60: 480 months from July 2026 (+1 month), rising to 488 months by 2030 (+8 months total), of combined insurance periods (including at least 10 years compulsory/continued/optional).","min_qualifying_partial":"20 years minimum for minimum pension guarantee; below 20 years, no minimum pension supplement applies","aggregation_rules":"EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009: each EU/EEA member state calculates pension separately based on insurance periods in that country. CNAP calculates both a national pension (based only on Luxembourg periods) and a pro-rata pension (theoretical amount based on all periods × Luxembourg fraction); the higher amount is paid. For non-EU bilateral agreement countries, similar pro-rata calculation applies. Periods from all agreement countries are aggregated to determine eligibility threshold of 120 months.","totalization_partners":["All EU/EEA Member States (via EC Regulation 883/2004)","Switzerland","United States","Canada","Australia","Japan","South Korea","Brazil","Cape Verde","China","India","Montenegro","Morocco","Philippines","Serbia","Tunisia","Turkey","And additional bilateral agreement countries (41 bilateral agreements total)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Overall contribution rate increased from 24% to 25.5% effective 1 January 2026 (previously 8% each for employee, employer, and state). The rate of 25.5% is set to remain in force through 2032. The state contributes 8.5% as the third party. Self-employed pay 17% total (their own share plus the state's 8.5%). In the public sector, employees contribute 8.5% and the state budget covers 17%. The contribution ceiling is approximately EUR 13,518.68/month (five times the unqualified minimum social wage) as of 2026.","employee_pct":8.5,"employer_pct":8.5,"self_employed_pct":17},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Application for continued or optional insurance must be made within specific deadlines after cessation of compulsory insurance; retroactive purchase subject to CNAP rules","available":true,"annual_cost":"Continued insurance (assurance continuée): contributions at full rate (25.5% from 2026) on last insured income or minimum base. Optional insurance (assurance facultative): available for persons no longer subject to compulsory insurance. Retroactive purchase of insurance periods also available.","benefit_per_year":"Each additional year of insurance increases pension by the proportional increase rate (1.763% base in 2026, capped at 2.05%) applied to average insured earnings, plus fixed increase component","eligibility_conditions":"Continued insurance available for persons who were previously compulsorily insured and cease to be so (e.g. leave Luxembourg). Optional insurance available for Luxembourg nationals and certain other persons abroad. Pillar 3 individual savings (Article 111bis) available to any taxpayer filing in Luxembourg; deductible up to EUR 4,500/year from 2026."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"From 1 January 2026: employees already eligible for early retirement who continue working receive a new annual tax allowance of up to EUR 9,000/year (EUR 750/month), granted monthly via CNAP certificate requested through MyGuichet.lu. Persons in receipt of an old-age pension may also engage in employed or self-employed activity without reduction of the gross pension amount.","early_reduction":"No actuarial reduction for early retirement at 57 or 60 if career requirements are met — full pension amount is paid. From July 2026, the required contribution period for early retirement at 60 increases gradually: +1 month in 2026 (481 months), +2 months in 2027 (482 months), +4 months in 2028 (484 months), +6 months in 2029 (486 months), and +8 months in 2030 (488 months). Early retirement at 57 is unaffected."},"access_options":{"notes":"State pension (CNAP Pillar 1): paid exclusively as a monthly annuity (pension de vieillesse). Very small pensions below a threshold may be paid as a lump sum (capital unique) in lieu of a monthly pension. Occupational pensions (Pillar 2 RCP): lump sum or annuity depending on scheme rules; small amounts below 3x social minimum wage paid as lump sum on departure. Private savings (Pillar 3 Article 111bis): lump sum, annuity, or combination; accessible from age 60. Minimum 120 months of contributions required for CNAP pension entitlement.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension (CNAP) is payable worldwide regardless of country of residence. If total Luxembourg insurance periods are less than 12 months and no pension right is acquired, contributions may be reimbursed upon reaching age 65. EU portability applies under EC 883/2004. Luxembourg's extensive cross-border worker arrangements ensure pension rights for frontier workers from Belgium, France, and Germany. Non-resident withholding tax of 15% applies unless reduced by applicable DTA. Occupational pension governed by scheme rules and LRCP legislation."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Pillar 1 lump sum (capital unique for very small pensions): taxed as pension income. Pillar 2 occupational lump sums: income-tax-free in Luxembourg if 20% withholding tax was paid on contributions; only 1.4% dependency contribution applies. Pillar 3 lump sums: income-tax-free in Luxembourg if 20.9% premium tax was paid; only 1.4% dependency contribution applies.","special_tax_regimes":"From 1 January 2026: new annual tax allowance of up to EUR 9,000/year (EUR 750/month) for employees already eligible for early retirement who continue working (abattement de maintien dans la vie professionnelle — granted monthly via CNAP certificate requested through MyGuichet.lu). Supplementary tax credit for pensioners (crédit d'impôt pour pensionnés bonifié — CIP) available to Luxembourg pension recipients. DTT with Albania effective 1 January 2026; DTT with Montenegro effective 1 January 2026.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty. Under most Luxembourg DTAs (following OECD model), pensions are taxed exclusively in the country of residence, reducing Luxembourg withholding to 0%. Under US-Luxembourg DTA (1996, updated by protocol 2009): pensions generally taxed in country of residence; Luxembourg social security pensions exempt from US tax. Under UK-Luxembourg DTA (in force 2024): complementary pension lump sums taxed exclusively in Luxembourg if contributions were subject to Luxembourg tax.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Luxembourg CNAP pension is a foreign pension for US tax purposes; reportable on FBAR and Form 8938 if thresholds met. US-Luxembourg DTA (1996, updated by protocol 2009) provides that Luxembourg social security pensions paid to US residents are exempt from US tax. Pillar 2 and 3 pensions may be subject to US tax depending on treaty interpretation and PFIC/trust rules. US persons should seek specialist advice.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Pillar 1 state pension (CNAP): taxable as pension income in Luxembourg under progressive income tax scale. Gross pension subject to 2.80% health insurance deduction for beneficiaries subject to Luxembourg health insurance. Pillar 2 occupational pension: employer contributions subject to 20% withholding tax upfront; benefits at retirement are income-tax-free in Luxembourg (only 1.4% dependency contribution applies). Pillar 3 private savings (Article 111bis): premiums subject to 20.9% flat-rate premium tax; benefits at retirement are income-tax-free in Luxembourg (only 1.4% dependency contribution applies).","nonresident_withholding_pct":"15% Luxembourg withholding tax on pension payments to non-residents as a default rate, unless reduced or eliminated under an applicable double taxation treaty (DTA). Most Luxembourg DTAs allocate pension taxation to the country of residence, effectively exempting the pension from Luxembourg withholding. Non-residents should apply for a DTA exemption certificate by submitting a certificate of tax residence from their new country to CNAP."},"indexation":{"notes":"Luxembourg pensions are fully uprated regardless of country of residence. Two indexation mechanisms apply: (1) automatic price indexation — when the six-month moving average of the CPI rises by 2.5%, all pensions are adjusted by 2.5% (index tranche); a new tranche triggered on 1 June 2026 raised the index from 968.04 to 992.24, increasing all pensions by 2.5%; (2) wage readjustment (revalorisation) — periodic adjustment to reflect changes in the standard of living, modulated by a readjustment moderator (factor of 0, 0.5, or 1) set by government based on the financial balance of the general scheme. For pensions starting in 2026, the overall adjustment factor is 1.570.","method":"Dual: (1) automatic price indexation when the six-month average CPI rises 2.5% (index tranche mechanism — most recent tranche 1 June 2026, index now 992.24); (2) periodic wage readjustment modulated by a government-set moderator (0, 0.5, or 1) based on the ratio of pension expenditure to contribution income","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Full portability under EU Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009 for all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. Luxembourg has 41 bilateral social security agreements with non-EU countries. Luxembourg's cross-border worker population reached approximately 233,260 in 2025 (approx. 126,600 from France, 53,360 from Germany, 53,300 from Belgium). Each country pays a separate pro-rata pension based on periods worked in that country. Electronic data exchange with France, Belgium, and Germany operational since September 2020. Cross-border telework framework agreement signed by 18+ countries including Luxembourg allows limited telework (up to 49 days/year for social security purposes) without changing applicable social security legislation."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Pension is not awarded automatically — a formal application must be submitted. Luxembourg residents apply directly to CNAP (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Pension). Non-residents and cross-border workers apply to the competent pension body in their country of residence, which forwards the application to CNAP. CNAP also submits applications to foreign pension bodies on behalf of the insured. Applications should be submitted several months before the desired retirement date. CNAP sends an acknowledgement of receipt, may request additional documents, and issues a formal decision (which may be appealed to the Social Security Arbitration Board, then the High Council for Social Security). Pension estimates are available from CNAP from age 55 via Guichet.lu. Application forms must be completed, signed, and returned by post in original form. For the progressive pension, a two-stage process applies: first obtain a CNAP certificate of entitlement, then apply to the employer for reduced working hours.","advance_timeline":"Several months before desired retirement date; no specific statutory minimum, but CNAP recommends applying well in advance due to international coordination delays. Processing time depends on reliability and availability of data and may vary significantly when foreign pension institutions are involved.","payment_frequency":"Monthly, paid in advance. CNAP transfers payments on the third-last working day of each month. An annual end-of-year allowance (étrenne) is also paid in December.","required_documents":["Luxembourg social security number (matricule)","Valid identity document (passport or national ID card)","Career record / insurance history documentation","Bank account details (IBAN) for payment","Foreign career records or social security numbers for periods worked abroad","Official career statement (form P5000) from foreign social security institutions where applicable","Certificate or diploma of study (if study periods are to be credited)","Proof of cessation of professional activity (for early retirement)","Certificate of residence (if address has changed)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"MyGuichet.lu is accessible from abroad for certain services including pension estimates, supplementary pension data consultation, tax allowance certificate requests (for continued working after retirement eligibility), and progressive pension certificate applications. Full pension application still requires paper forms with original signatures in most cases. CNAP online services require LuxTrust authentication or equivalent eID.","proof_of_life_notes":"Life certificates (certificat de vie) are sent annually in the month of the pension holder's birth. The pension holder must complete and sign the form; the mayor (or equivalent local authority) of the place of residence must countersign. Only original documents accepted — copies, faxes, and emails are not accepted. Failure to return the certificate before the deadline results in suspension of pension payments. Since September 2020, CNAP has electronic data exchange agreements with France, Belgium, and Germany: residents of these countries generally no longer receive life certificate requests unless their data cannot be exchanged automatically.","international_contact":{"phone":"CNAP Service International, 1A boulevard Prince Henri, L-1724 Luxembourg; Phone: +352 2241411; Email: cnap@secu.lu"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"French, German, Luxembourgish, or English (CNAP operates in all four official/working languages)","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"General Pension Scheme (Régime général — CNAP)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory PAYG defined benefit scheme covering all private-sector employees and self-employed persons in Luxembourg. Benefits consist of fixed increases (flat-rate per year of insurance) and proportional increases (earnings-related). For 2026, the base proportional increase rate is 1.763% per year of insurance, increased by 0.016% per year of age and per year of insurance above the applicable threshold, capped at 2.05%. Minimum pension for 40 years of contributions is EUR 2,376.62/month as of 1 January 2026 (adjusted to approximately EUR 2,436.01 from 1 June 2026 following the 2.5% index tranche). Maximum pension is 5/6 of five times the reference amount (approximately EUR 11,000–12,000 gross/month in 2026 terms). Pensions are paid monthly in advance. An annual end-of-year allowance (étrenne) is also paid; maximum EUR 1,015.20 for 40 years of insurance at index 968.04 (1 January 2026). The overall adjustment factor for pensions starting in 2026 is 1.570. From 2026, a progressive pension option is available in the general scheme, allowing gradual reduction of working hours while receiving a partial pension (subject to employer agreement and minimum 75% full-time employment for 3 years prior). Pension allowances adjusted to index 992.24 from 1 June 2026.","officialUrl":"https://cnap.public.lu","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"120 months minimum (including aggregated EU/EEA/agreement-country periods); at least 1 year must be in Luxembourg","contributionRateEmployee":"8.5% (from 1 January 2026; previously 8%)","contributionRateEmployer":"8.5% (from 1 January 2026; previously 8%)"},{"name":"Supplementary Occupational Pension Scheme (Régime Complémentaire de Pension — RCP/RCPI)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary defined contribution occupational pension scheme set up by employers for employees under the Law of 8 June 1999 (LRCP). Since January 2019, also available to self-employed persons via approved RCPI schemes. Employer contributions are subject to a 20% withholding tax. Employee contributions are tax-deductible up to EUR 1,200/year. Benefits at retirement are generally free of income tax in Luxembourg (only 1.4% dependency contribution applies). Approximately 2,200 Luxembourg companies offer this scheme, covering around 70,000 employees. Schemes must be registered with the IGSS. Vesting rules apply; small accumulated amounts below 3x the social minimum wage (~EUR 8,100 from June 2026) may be paid as a lump sum on departure.","officialUrl":"https://igss.gouvernement.lu","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by scheme rules; vesting provisions governed by LRCP","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; tax-deductible up to EUR 1,200/year","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; employer-funded; subject to 20% withholding tax on contributions"},{"name":"Individual Private Pension Savings (Prévoyance-Vieillesse — Article 111bis LIR)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual pension savings contracts taken out with a Luxembourg or EU-authorised insurance company or credit institution. Premiums are tax-deductible as special expenses up to EUR 4,500/year per taxpayer from 1 January 2026 (previously EUR 3,200; a 41% increase). A couple can deduct up to EUR 9,000/year combined. Contract must run for a minimum of 10 years; savings redeemable no earlier than age 60 and no later than age 75. Benefits may be paid as a lump sum, life annuity, or combination. A flat-rate premium tax of 20.9% is deducted from premiums paid; in return, benefits paid out are free of income tax in Luxembourg (only 1.4% dependency contribution applies). For self-employed, supplementary pension premiums are deductible up to 20% of net annual income.","officialUrl":"https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/impots-taxes/pension-rente/depenses-deductibles/regimes-complementaire-pension.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10-year contract duration; accessible from age 60","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to EUR 4,500/year tax-deductible (from 2026)","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009 govern pension coordination across all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland","Luxembourg has the largest cross-border workforce in the EU: approximately 233,260 daily commuters in 2025 (approx. 126,600 from France, 53,360 from Germany, 53,300 from Belgium)","Electronic data exchange for life certificates and pension data with France, Belgium, and Germany operational since September 2020","Cross-border telework framework agreement signed by 18+ countries including Luxembourg: limited telework (up to 49 days/year for social security purposes) does not change applicable legislation","US-Luxembourg Totalization Agreement in force: covers old-age, invalidity, and survivors pensions; eliminates dual social security taxation","From July 2026: gradual tightening of early retirement at 60 (additional months of contributions required: +1 in 2026, +2 in 2027, +4 in 2028, +6 in 2029, +8 in 2030, reaching 488 months total by 2030); early retirement at 57 conditions unchanged","From January 2026: overall contribution rate raised from 24% to 25.5% (8.5% each: employee, employer, state); rate set through 2032; self-employed pay 17%","From January 2026: Pillar 3 tax deduction ceiling raised from EUR 3,200 to EUR 4,500/year per taxpayer (couples can deduct up to EUR 9,000/year combined)","New progressive pension option introduced in general scheme from January 2026: employees eligible for early retirement can reduce working hours (subject to employer agreement and minimum 75% full-time for 3 years prior) and receive partial pension simultaneously","Study years (up to 9 years) can be credited as complementary periods from age 18 with no upper age limit from 2026 (previously capped at age 27)","New index tranche effective 1 June 2026: all pensions increased by 2.5%, index moved from 968.04 to 992.24","Reform law (Law of 19 December 2025, Mémorial A-2025-606) projected to stabilise general pension scheme finances until 2042 and preserve reserves until 2050","Non-resident pension recipients subject to 15% Luxembourg withholding tax unless reduced/eliminated under applicable DTA; most Luxembourg DTAs allocate pension taxation to country of residence","DTT with Albania and DTT with Montenegro both effective from 1 January 2026"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://cnap.public.lu","title":"Start at CNAP","detail":"CNAP is the national pension insurance fund for the private sector. Its site sets out what a career statement contains and how to request one."},{"n":2,"url":"https://myguichet.public.lu","title":"Sign in to MyGuichet.lu","detail":"MyGuichet is the government's authenticated services portal and the online route to your record."},{"n":3,"title":"Request your insurance career statement","detail":"It lists insured periods and the contributory income behind them. Luxembourg pensions are generous relative to short careers, so even a few years is usually worth confirming."},{"n":4,"title":"Confirm whether you were insured in Luxembourg at all","detail":"If you commuted from Belgium, France or Germany, you were normally insured where you worked — Luxembourg — not where you lived. That surprises people and is worth checking."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF. If you now live elsewhere in the EU, your local institution will forward a claim to CNAP when the time comes."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot get a LuxTrust product from abroad","whatToDo":"CNAP accepts written requests for a career statement by post, quoting your matricule and date of birth. Nothing about the paper route requires a Luxembourg address."},{"symptom":"You do not know your matricule","whatToDo":"It is on Luxembourg payslips and on the social security card. The Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale can trace it from your identity details and employer."},{"symptom":"You worked for an EU institution in Luxembourg","whatToDo":"EU institution staff are in the EU's own pension scheme, not the Luxembourg national one. That entitlement is administered by the institution, and CNAP will have no record of it."}],"portalUrl":"https://cnap.public.lu","portalName":"CNAP / MyGuichet.lu","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Luxembourg social security number (matricule, 13 digits).","A LuxTrust product or an eID for MyGuichet.lu. LuxTrust tokens can be renewed from abroad, but the initial issue usually needs an in-person step.","Your Luxembourg employers and years — cross-border commuting is common here, so be clear about which country actually insured you."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether a career statement can be downloaded directly from MyGuichet.lu or is issued by CNAP on request.","documentNameLocal":"Carrière d'assurance (extrait de compte)","documentNameEnglish":"Insurance career statement"}},{"country":"Malaysia","country_code":"MY","continent":"asia","currency":"MYR (Malaysian Ringgit)","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":75,"pension_system_summary":"Malaysia operates a multi-pillar, predominantly defined contribution (DC) retirement system with no universal pay-as-you-go state pension. The primary vehicle for private-sector workers is the Employees Provident Fund (EPF/KWSP), established in 1951, which is a mandatory DC provident fund covering all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents in employment. As of September 2025, total EPF membership exceeded 16.5 million, with 9.07 million active members representing 51.7% of the labour force. The EPF declared a 6.30% dividend for FY2024 (total payout RM73.24 billion) and 6.15% for FY2025 (total payout RM79.6 billion). A landmark reform effective 1 October 2025 extended mandatory EPF contributions to all non-Malaysian citizen employees holding valid work passes (excluding domestic workers), at 2% each from employer and employee. From 1 January 2026, EPF introduced the Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) Framework with three savings tiers: Basic Savings (RM390,000), Adequate Savings (RM650,000), and Enhanced Savings (RM1.3 million), replacing the old RM240,000-by-age-55 benchmark. The three-account structure (Akaun Persaraan 75%, Akaun Sejahtera 15%, Akaun Fleksibel 10%), introduced in May 2024, remains in place.\n\nPublic sector civil servants with pensionable status are covered by a separate defined benefit pension scheme administered by KWAP (Retirement Fund Incorporated), while military personnel are covered by LTAT (Armed Forces Fund Board), which declared a 5.35% dividend for FY2025 — its highest payout in eight years. A voluntary supplementary layer exists through the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS), regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia and administered by the Private Pension Administrator (PPA), offering tax relief of up to RM3,000/year until Year of Assessment 2030. SOCSO (PERKESO) provides social insurance for employment injury and invalidity (wage ceiling RM6,000/month since October 2024), and the Employment Insurance System (EIS) provides unemployment protection. Social assistance for elderly poor is provided through the Department of Social Welfare (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat).\n\nMalaysia's pension system faces significant adequacy challenges. The OECD (Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024) places Malaysia's gross replacement rate below 40% for average earners — among the lowest in Asia. New civil service recruits from 1 February 2024 onwards are placed on EPF rather than the traditional KWAP defined benefit pension scheme, marking a major structural reform. The federal government's public pension bill reached approximately RM42.8 billion in 2026, with KWAP contributing RM5 billion (11.7%) of that obligation. The World Bank has recommended raising the EPF withdrawal age to align with the statutory retirement age of 60, but no such change has been legislated as of mid-2026.","has_totalization_treaties":false,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.kwsp.gov.my/en/","name":"EPF Main Website (KWSP)"},{"url":"https://iakaun.kwsp.gov.my/portal/member/login","name":"EPF i-Akaun Member Portal"},{"url":"https://secure.kwsp.gov.my/employer/employer/login","name":"EPF i-Akaun Employer Portal"},{"url":"https://www.kwap.gov.my/en/","name":"KWAP (Retirement Fund Incorporated) Official Website"},{"url":"https://www.ltat.gov.my/","name":"LTAT (Armed Forces Fund Board) Official Website"},{"url":"https://www.ppa.my/","name":"PPA (Private Pension Administrator Malaysia) — PRS"},{"url":"https://www.perkeso.gov.my/en/","name":"SOCSO / PERKESO Official Website"},{"url":"https://www.hasil.gov.my/en/individual/individual-life-cycle/income-declaration/tax-reliefs/","name":"Inland Revenue Board Malaysia (LHDN) — Tax Reliefs"},{"url":"https://www.malaysia.gov.my/en/categories/retirement/civil-servant-retirement","name":"Malaysia Government Portal — Civil Servant Retirement"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/my/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/my","system_type":"Defined Contribution (DC) — Provident Fund model for private sector; Defined Benefit (DB) for existing pensionable civil servants; Mixed DC/DB hybrid for military (LTAT)","pillar_structure":"Zero Pillar: Non-contributory social assistance for elderly poor via Department of Social Welfare (Bantuan Warga Emas). First Pillar (Mandatory): EPF/KWSP for private sector and non-pensionable public sector employees (including mandatory coverage for non-Malaysian citizen employees from October 2025); KWAP defined benefit pension for pensionable civil servants hired before 1 February 2024; LTAT hybrid DC/DB for military personnel; SOCSO for employment injury and invalidity insurance. Second Pillar (Voluntary): Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) — voluntary DC scheme open to all individuals aged 18+, regulated by Securities Commission Malaysia. Third Pillar: Employer-provided supplementary schemes and personal savings. No universal PAYG state pension exists.","replacement_rate_gross":"Below 40% (OECD Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024 — average earner, mandatory schemes only)","min_qualifying_period":"EPF: No minimum — contributions begin on first day of employment; benefits accrue immediately. SOCSO: No minimum for Employment Injury Scheme; Invalidity Scheme requires contribution history. KWAP (civil service DB pension): Minimum 10 years pensionable service for any pension; 25 years for 50% replacement rate. LTAT: 21 years verified service for other ranks pension eligibility.","min_qualifying_partial":"EPF: Partial withdrawal from Akaun Sejahtera available for approved purposes (housing, education, health, Hajj up to RM10,000 from January 2026); Akaun Fleksibel withdrawable anytime (minimum RM50). KWAP: Pension calculated proportionally based on years of service (minimum 10 years). LTAT: Non-pensionable members receive lump sum of accumulated contributions regardless of service length.","aggregation_rules":"EPF contributions aggregate across all employers in a single member account tracked by IC/passport number. No separate vesting schedules — all contributions belong to member immediately. Contributions from multiple employers in the same period are combined. Foreign workers: contributions carry forward if they remain in Malaysia; full balance withdrawable on permanent departure. No totalization/aggregation with foreign social security systems — Malaysia has no bilateral social security totalization agreements with any country.","totalization_partners":[],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total mandatory EPF contribution for Malaysian citizen earning ≤RM5,000/month: 24% of salary (11% employee + 13% employer). For earnings >RM5,000/month: 23% (11% + 12%). Contributions must be remitted by the 15th of the following month. For salaries up to RM20,000/month, contribution amounts are determined by the Third Schedule of the EPF Act 1991 (fixed table amounts, not exact percentages); exact percentage calculation only applies for salaries exceeding RM20,000/month. Minimum EPF membership age: 14; maximum contribution age: 75. SOCSO wage ceiling: RM6,000/month (effective October 2024; transition period ended March 2025). EIS: 0.2% each from employer and employee (capped at RM6,000 wage ceiling; foreign workers and employees aged 60+ excluded). KWAP: employer-only contribution of 17.5% of basic salary for statutory bodies/local authorities with pensionable employees. LTAT: 10% employee + 15% government employer for compulsory military contributors. For YA2025: EPF contributions qualify for tax relief up to RM4,000/year (mandatory contributions); additional voluntary EPF or life insurance premiums qualify for a separate RM3,000 relief (total up to RM7,000 combined for EPF and life insurance); PRS contributions qualify for a further separate RM3,000 relief until YA2030.","employee_pct":"11% of monthly wages (Malaysian citizens/PRs under age 60); 0% at age 60+; 2% for non-Malaysian citizen employees (mandatory from October 2025, for those under 75 with valid work pass)","employer_pct":"13% for employees earning ≤RM5,000/month; 12% for employees earning >RM5,000/month (for Malaysian/PR employees under 60); 4% for employees aged 60–75; 2% for non-Malaysian citizen employees (mandatory from October 2025)","self_employed_pct":"Voluntary — up to RM100,000 per year (no mandatory rate for self-employed; i-Saraan and i-Saraan Plus available for gig workers with government matching incentives)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"EPF voluntary contributions: no fixed deadline (can be made anytime). PRS: no fixed annual deadline.","available":true,"annual_cost":"EPF voluntary (i-Saraan/i-Topup): any amount up to RM100,000/year for self-employed and those wishing to top up. i-Saraan Plus for e-hailing/p-hailing drivers: government matching incentive up to RM600/year (lifetime cap RM6,000). i-Suri for housewives: government matching incentive up to RM300/year (lifetime cap RM3,000; eligibility age extended from 55 to 60 from January 2026). PRS: minimum RM100 per transaction, no maximum (subject to FPX limits per transaction).","benefit_per_year":"EPF: earns annual dividend (6.30% for FY2024; 6.15% for FY2025; guaranteed minimum 2.5% for Simpanan Konvensional). PRS: market-linked returns, no guaranteed minimum.","eligibility_conditions":"EPF voluntary: open to self-employed individuals, those not in formal employment, and employed members wishing to contribute above mandatory rates. i-Saraan Plus: eligible e-hailing and p-hailing drivers registered through participating platform providers. PRS: open to all individuals aged 18+ (Malaysian and non-Malaysian residents, excluding US residents/citizens). EPF tax relief for voluntary contributions: up to RM4,000/year (mandatory EPF) plus separate RM3,000 for additional voluntary EPF or life insurance. PRS tax relief: up to RM3,000/year (until Year of Assessment 2030)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"EPF: Contributions made after age 55 go into Akaun Emas (Gold Account), accessible only at age 60. Employer contribution rate reduces to 4% for employees aged 60–75; employee contribution rate is 0%. Continuing to work and contribute after 55 allows additional accumulation in Akaun Emas. The monthly drawdown option (rebranded i-Emas from 2026) allows members to draw down savings gradually rather than as a lump sum.","early_reduction":"No actuarial early reduction for EPF — it is a DC provident fund; balance at withdrawal reflects accumulated contributions plus dividends. Withdrawing at age 55 (from Akaun Persaraan) means missing additional contributions and dividends that would have accrued in Akaun Emas until age 60. PRS: 8% tax penalty on pre-retirement withdrawals from Sub-Account B (unless for housing, healthcare, death, total permanent disability, terminal illness, or first home purchase)."},"access_options":{"notes":"EPF is a provident fund — the primary mode of benefit is lump sum withdrawal. Members may choose: (1) Full lump sum at age 55 (from Akaun Persaraan and Akaun Sejahtera) or age 60 (all accounts including Akaun Emas consolidated); (2) Partial withdrawals at various ages for approved purposes (housing, education, healthcare, Hajj up to RM10,000 from January 2026, investment via Members Investment Scheme); (3) Monthly drawdown option (i-Emas) available for those withdrawing at age 55/60 who prefer periodic payments; (4) Akaun Fleksibel (10% of contributions) allows withdrawal at any time for any purpose (minimum RM50, once daily via i-Akaun app). (5) i-Legasi: members with savings above the Adequate Savings level (RM650,000) may transfer excess to family members. No mandatory annuitization. EPF does not offer annuity products directly. Members with savings above RM1.1 million (rising to RM1.3 million by 2028) may withdraw excess before age 55 under the RIA Framework. KWAP civil service pension: monthly defined benefit pension for life (not a lump sum). LTAT: lump sum for non-pensionable members; monthly pension for pensionable members.","annuity_available":false,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Foreign workers and expatriates: Full balance withdrawal (all accounts) upon permanent departure from Malaysia when employment has ceased. Eligibility tied to end of employment, not future travel plans. Non-citizen members may also access partial withdrawal facilities (opened April 2026). EPF does not require proof of permanent non-return. Malaysians: Full withdrawal only upon formal renunciation of citizenship (simply relocating abroad while retaining Malaysian passport does not qualify). Permanent residents: Full withdrawal upon surrender of PR status. Application can be submitted in person at EPF branches or via certified mail. Payment via bank credit, banker's cheque, foreign demand draft (BND or SGD), or foreign telegraphic transfer (FTT) for other currencies. Withdrawals under leaving country provision are not taxed in Malaysia, but income tax clearance may be required."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"EPF lump sum withdrawals at age 55, age 60, or upon permanent departure are fully tax-exempt in Malaysia. Pre-retirement withdrawals from EPF (housing, education, healthcare, Akaun Fleksibel) are also tax-exempt in Malaysia. PRS pre-retirement withdrawals from Sub-Account B are subject to an 8% tax penalty (unless for housing, healthcare, death, total permanent disability, terminal illness, or first home purchase). KWAP gratuity payments to civil servants are tax-exempt up to statutory limits.","special_tax_regimes":"EPF contributions: tax relief up to RM4,000/year (mandatory EPF contributions) for resident taxpayers; separate RM3,000 relief for additional voluntary EPF or life insurance premiums (total up to RM7,000 combined). PRS contributions: tax relief up to RM3,000/year (until Year of Assessment 2030; confirmed extended in Budget 2025) for resident taxpayers — this is a separate category from the EPF/life insurance relief. Special flat tax rates available for certain categories: Returning Expert Programme (REP) — 15% flat rate for first 5 years for Malaysian professionals returning from abroad; Knowledge workers in Iskandar Malaysia/Forest City Special Financial Zone — 15% flat rate; C-Suite non-citizens in Global Services Hub companies — 15% flat rate for 3 years. Non-resident individual income tax rate: 30% flat (no personal reliefs). Dividend tax of 2% introduced from Year of Assessment 2025 on annual local dividend income exceeding RM100,000 — EPF dividends are fully excluded from this tax (confirmed by LHDN March 2026) and do not count towards the RM100,000 threshold.","treaty_relief_available":false,"us_reporting_obligations":"No US-Malaysia tax treaty exists. US persons (citizens, green card holders, substantial presence test) are taxed on worldwide income including EPF contributions made by employers (not tax-deferred in the US), growth within the EPF, and distributions. EPF does not qualify for US tax deferral treatment. Malaysia has a FATCA agreement — Malaysian banks (e.g., Maybank) report US person account holders to the US government. US persons with EPF accounts may have FBAR and FATCA (Form 8938) reporting obligations. US residents/citizens are not permitted to invest in PRS.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"KWAP civil service pension payments are taxable as income in Malaysia for residents. EPF withdrawals (lump sum at age 55/60, or upon departure) are tax-exempt in Malaysia. PRS fund income (including foreign source income) is tax-exempt. Pension income from Malaysia is not subject to Malaysian taxes for non-residents receiving EPF lump sums.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"EPF withdrawals are not subject to Malaysian withholding tax. Non-resident individuals are subject to 30% income tax on Malaysian-sourced employment income (without personal reliefs), but EPF lump sum withdrawals at age 55/60 or upon departure are tax-exempt in Malaysia."},"indexation":{"notes":"EPF is a DC provident fund — balances earn annual dividends regardless of where the member resides. The EPF dividend is declared annually (minimum 2.5% guaranteed for Simpanan Konvensional; no minimum for Simpanan Shariah). FY2024 dividend: 6.30% for both conventional and Shariah (total payout RM73.24 billion); FY2025 dividend: 6.15% for both (total payout RM79.6 billion). Members living abroad retain their EPF accounts and continue to earn dividends until withdrawal. KWAP civil service pensions are adjusted in line with civil service salary revisions (not annual CPI indexation). Phase 1 pension adjustment: 1 December 2024; Phase 2: 1 January 2026 (under the Public Service Salary System/SSPA). No annual automatic pension increase — confirmed by Federal Court decision June 2023; next increase only upon next civil service salary revision. LTAT declared 5.35% dividend for FY2025 (highest in eight years). EPF dividends are fully exempt from the 2% dividend tax introduced for YA2025.","method":"EPF: Investment return-based annual dividend (declared by EPF Board with Ministry of Finance approval, based on actual investment performance). KWAP: Linked to civil service salary revisions (ad hoc, not automatic annual indexation). LTAT: Annual dividend/bonus declared based on investment performance.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Limited. EPF balances are fully portable within Malaysia across employers (single account tracked by IC/passport number). No automatic transfer or totalization with foreign pension systems — Malaysia has no bilateral social security totalization agreements with any country. Foreign workers can withdraw full EPF balance upon permanent departure from Malaysia; partial withdrawal facilities for non-citizen members opened April 2026. PRS Sub-Account A cannot be withdrawn early if relocating (locked until age 55, death, permanent disability, terminal illness, first home purchase, or permanent departure). EPF savings can remain in the fund earning dividends even if the member lives abroad — no requirement to withdraw upon departure for Malaysian citizens. For non-Malaysians, withdrawal is tied to end of employment in Malaysia."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"EPF Age 55/60 Withdrawal: (1) Apply online via i-Akaun (Member) portal or KWSP app, at EPF Self-Service Terminal (SST), or in person at any EPF branch. (2) Submit required documents (identity documents, bank account details). (3) Thumbprint verification required (Form KWSP 3 Pindaan for failed thumbprint). (4) EPF processes claim — typically within a few weeks. (5) Payment credited to EPF panel bank account, or issued as banker's cheque if bank credit unsuccessful. Monthly drawdown option (i-Emas) available for those preferring periodic payments. Leaving Country Withdrawal (foreign workers/expatriates/renouncing citizens): (1) Gather required documents including passport, proof of departure/employment cessation, and bank details. (2) Submit application in person at EPF branch or via certified mail. (3) EPF verifies contribution records and identity. (4) Payment made via bank credit (smaller amounts), banker's cheque/bank draft (larger amounts, may require in-person collection), or foreign demand draft (BND/SGD) or foreign telegraphic transfer (FTT) for other currencies. (5) Income tax clearance may be required before final departure. Non-citizen members may access partial withdrawal facilities from April 2026. KWAP Civil Service Pension: Administered by KWAP; pension payments made monthly to designated bank account. MyPesara mobile app available for pensioners to access information.","advance_timeline":"EPF: Applications can be submitted at any time after reaching eligible age or qualifying event. No mandatory advance notice period, but recommended to apply before annual dividend announcement (usually late February/early March) to avoid missing that year's dividend. Leaving Country withdrawal: recommended to apply before work permit expiry or departure date.","payment_frequency":"EPF: One-time lump sum is standard for age 55/60 and leaving country withdrawals. Monthly drawdown option (i-Emas) available for members choosing periodic payments at age 55/60. Akaun Fleksibel allows withdrawals at any time (minimum RM50, once daily). KWAP civil service pension: monthly payments to designated bank account. LTAT: lump sum for non-pensionable members; monthly pension for pensionable members.","required_documents":["Valid passport or national identity card (MyKad for Malaysians)","Bank account details (savings/current account statement or verification letter from EPF panel bank)","For Leaving Country withdrawal (foreign workers/expatriates): Proof of departure — Check Out Memo from Malaysian Immigration Department OR proof of employment cessation","For Leaving Country withdrawal (Malaysians renouncing citizenship): Letter of renunciation of citizenship (Form K/Form Y) OR letter from National Registration Department/Malaysian Embassy/High Commission confirming renunciation; Confirmation letter for surrender of Identity Card from National Registration Department","If passport number does not match EPF records: Copy of old passport used when EPF account was registered","If original passport not available: Temporary travel permit from Embassy of applicant's country in Malaysia","If member particulars are incomplete/mismatched: Letter Confirming Identification from employer OR from applicant's embassy OR Verification Form of Member's Contribution from employer","If particulars in passport differ from EPF records: Marriage certificate/Birth certificate/relevant supporting documents","For former Malaysian citizens (EPF members before 1 August 1995 unable to produce IC): Passport, certification of citizenship and other identification documents","For failed thumbprint verification: Form KWSP 3 (Pindaan)","For foreign currency payment: Currency Confirmation Form; Declaration form","All document copies must be certified by authorised persons (employer, embassy officials, or EPF officers) with name, designation and official stamp"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"i-Akaun (Member) portal (iakaun.kwsp.gov.my) and KWSP mobile app are accessible internationally. Initial registration and full functionality typically requires one-time fingerprint verification at an EPF Self-Service Terminal (SST) or office in Malaysia. Foreign members can submit withdrawal forms online; document verification may be completed via embassy-notarized documents or remote verification processes. EPF contact: +603-8922-6000 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM Malaysia time). KWAP MyPesara app available for civil service pensioners. LTAT i-Wira platform for armed forces members.","proof_of_life_notes":"EPF is a DC provident fund — no ongoing proof of life required for lump sum withdrawals. KWAP civil service pensioners receiving monthly pension payments may be subject to periodic verification requirements as administered by KWAP.","international_contact":{"email":"Not prominently listed; contact via official portal or phone for international inquiries","phone":"+603-8922-6000 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Malaysia time)"},"proof_of_life_required":false,"correspondence_language":"Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) and English","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Employees Provident Fund (EPF / KWSP)","type":"occupational","description":"Malaysia's primary mandatory DC retirement savings scheme, established 1951. Covers all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents in private sector and non-pensionable public sector employment. As of end-2025, approximately 10.6 million active members (total membership over 16.5 million as of September 2025). Contributions are split across three accounts since May 2024: Akaun Persaraan (75% — retirement, accessible at 55/60), Akaun Sejahtera (15% — wellbeing/lifecycle needs, accessible for housing, education, health, Hajj), and Akaun Fleksibel (10% — flexible, withdrawable anytime, minimum RM50 per withdrawal). EPF guarantees a minimum 2.5% annual dividend on Simpanan Konvensional; declared 6.30% for FY2024 and 6.15% for FY2025 for both conventional and Shariah savings. Effective 1 October 2025, mandatory for non-Malaysian citizen employees holding valid work passes (excluding domestic workers) at 2% each. Voluntary for self-employed (i-Saraan, i-Saraan Plus for gig workers, i-Suri for housewives, up to RM100,000/year). New civil service recruits from 1 February 2024 onwards placed on EPF rather than DB pension. From 1 January 2026, the Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) Framework sets three savings tiers: Basic (RM390,000), Adequate (RM650,000), Enhanced (RM1.3 million) at age 60. The monthly drawdown model (i-Emas) is now the rebranded name for the monthly payment option at age 55/60. i-Legasi allows transfers of excess savings above the Adequate Savings level to family members.","officialUrl":"https://www.kwsp.gov.my/en/","vestingYears":0,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate — all contributions belong to member from day one; no vesting schedule","contributionRateEmployee":"11% of monthly wages (Malaysian citizens/PRs under 60); 0% at age 60+; 2% for non-Malaysian citizen employees (mandatory from October 2025, for those under 75 with valid work pass)","contributionRateEmployer":"13% for employees earning ≤RM5,000/month; 12% for employees earning >RM5,000/month (both for under-60 Malaysians/PRs); 4% for employees aged 60–75; 2% for non-Malaysian citizen employees (mandatory from October 2025)"},{"name":"KWAP (Retirement Fund Incorporated / Kumpulan Wang Persaraan Diperbadankan)","type":"occupational","description":"Malaysia's public sector pension fund for civil servants, established as a statutory body on 1 March 2007 under the Retirement Fund Act 2007. Manages contributions from Federal Government, Statutory Bodies, Local Authorities and Agencies with pensionable employees. Administers defined benefit pension payments, gratuities and other benefits to Federal Government retirees. Pension formula: 1/600 × Equivalent Final Salary × Length of Service. Civil servants with ≥25 years of service receive at least 50% of last drawn salary as monthly pension; those with ≥30 years receive up to 60%. Pension adjustments are linked to civil service salary revisions under the Public Service Salary System (SSPA): Phase 1 took effect 1 December 2024; Phase 2 on 1 January 2026. No annual automatic pension increase — confirmed by Federal Court decision June 2023; next increase only upon next civil service salary revision. New civil service recruits from 1 February 2024 onwards are placed on EPF instead of this DB scheme. The federal government's public pension bill reached approximately RM42.8 billion in 2026, with KWAP contributing RM5 billion (11.7%) of that obligation. The number of pensioners and beneficiaries is approaching one million.","officialUrl":"https://www.kwap.gov.my/en/","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10 years of pensionable service required for pension eligibility (25 years for full pension at 50% of final salary)","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employee does not contribute; pension funded by government)","contributionRateEmployer":"Federal Government: 5% of total annual budgeted emolument; Statutory Bodies, Local Authorities and Agencies: 17.5% of employee's monthly basic salary"},{"name":"LTAT (Armed Forces Fund Board / Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera)","type":"occupational","description":"Statutory pension fund for members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), established August 1972 under the Tabung Angkatan Tentera Act 1973. Hybrid DC/DB system: starts as defined contribution, transitions to defined benefit pension for those with sufficient service. Other ranks (enlisted/NCOs) contribute compulsorily; commissioned officers may contribute voluntarily (capped at RM2,000/month). Pension eligibility: other ranks with 21+ years verified service; regular commissioned officers with 20+ years or at compulsory retirement age. MAF compulsory retirement age ranges from 50–60 based on rank; voluntary retirement age 40–50. Non-pensionable members receive lump sum of accumulated contributions plus dividends and bonuses upon retirement, discharge, or death. LTAT declared a 5.35% dividend for FY2025 — its highest payout in eight years and fourth consecutive year of 5%+ returns — with total distribution of RM524.74 million. LTAT is undergoing long-term transformation under its GEMPUR30 strategic roadmap (2026–2030).","officialUrl":"https://www.ltat.gov.my/","vestingYears":21,"vestingPeriod":"21 years verified service for other ranks to qualify for pension; 20 years for regular commissioned officers","contributionRateEmployee":"10% of monthly salary (compulsory for other ranks/enlisted personnel)","contributionRateEmployer":"15% of monthly salary (government as employer, for compulsory contributors during initial service period)"},{"name":"Private Retirement Scheme (PRS)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary DC retirement savings scheme introduced by the Malaysian government to supplement EPF savings. Regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia; centrally administered by the Private Pension Administrator Malaysia (PPA). Open to all individuals aged 18+, including self-employed and those already contributing to EPF. Contributions split 70:30 between Sub-Account A (accessible at age 55, death, permanent disability, terminal illness, first home purchase, or permanent departure from Malaysia) and Sub-Account B (one pre-retirement withdrawal per year allowed, subject to 8% tax penalty unless for housing or healthcare). Full withdrawal without penalty at age 55. Tax relief of up to RM3,000 per year available until Year of Assessment 2030 (confirmed extended in Budget 2025; separate from the RM4,000 EPF/life insurance relief). Minimum initial investment typically RM100. No maximum contribution limit (subject to FPX transaction limits). Nine approved PRS providers as of 2026. Fund income (including foreign source income) is tax-exempt. US residents/citizens are not permitted to invest in PRS.","officialUrl":"https://www.ppa.my/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting period; contributions accessible subject to account sub-type rules and age conditions","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary — any amount; minimum RM100 per transaction","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary employer contributions permitted on behalf of employees"},{"name":"SOCSO (Social Security Organisation / PERKESO — Employment Injury & Invalidity Schemes)","type":"state","description":"Social insurance body established 1971 under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969. Administers two schemes: (1) Employment Injury Scheme (EIS/Act 4 Category 1 & 2) — covers work-related accidents, occupational diseases, and commuting accidents; provides medical benefits, temporary/permanent disablement benefits, dependants' benefits, funeral benefits, rehabilitation. (2) Invalidity Scheme (IS) — covers chronic illness or permanent disability unrelated to employment; provides invalidity pension, invalidity grant, survivors' pension, rehabilitation, educational loans. Mandatory for all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents in employment (excluding Federal/State Government permanent employees, domestic servants, self-employed). Foreign workers covered under Employment Injury Scheme since January 2019; extended to Invalidity Scheme from July 2024, meaning contribution rates are now applied equally to local and foreign employees. Wage ceiling for contributions increased from RM5,000 to RM6,000 effective October 2024 (transition period ended March 2025; fully enforced from April 2025). Category 1 (under 60): employer 1.75%, employee 0.5% of monthly wages. Category 2 (age 60+): employer-only contribution at 1.25% (Employment Injury Scheme only). Also administers the Employment Insurance System (EIS/SIP — Act 800): 0.2% each from employer and employee, capped at RM6,000 wage ceiling; foreign workers and employees aged 60+ are excluded from EIS. From June 2026, a new LINDUNG 24 Jam scheme adds an additional employee-funded layer of protection. SOCSO's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SESSS) expanded in 2026 to include freelance service providers in five additional categories.","officialUrl":"https://www.perkeso.gov.my/en/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting for Employment Injury Scheme; Invalidity Scheme requires contribution history for pension eligibility","contributionRateEmployee":"Approximately 0.5% of monthly wages (Category 1, table-based, capped at RM6,000 wage ceiling); 0% for employees aged 60+ (Category 2, employer-only)","contributionRateEmployer":"Approximately 1.75% of monthly wages (Category 1, table-based, capped at RM6,000 wage ceiling); approximately 1.25% for employees aged 60+ (Category 2, Employment Injury Scheme only)"}],"cross_border_notes":["Malaysia has NO bilateral social security totalization agreements with any country — confirmed by multiple official and professional sources. Expatriates working in Malaysia may face dual social security contributions (home country + Malaysia) with no relief mechanism.","Effective 1 October 2025, EPF contributions became mandatory for all non-Malaysian citizen employees holding valid work passes (excluding domestic workers), at 2% each from employer and employee — a major policy change from the previous voluntary regime. Partial withdrawal facilities for non-citizen members opened April 2026.","Foreign workers and expatriates can withdraw their full EPF balance (all accounts) upon permanent departure from Malaysia when employment has ceased. EPF does not require proof of permanent non-return; eligibility is tied to end of employment.","There is NO US-Malaysia tax treaty. US persons (citizens, green card holders, substantial presence test) are taxed on worldwide income including EPF employer contributions (not US tax-deferred), EPF growth, and EPF distributions. Malaysia has a FATCA agreement — Malaysian banks report US person account holders to the IRS. US persons may have FBAR and Form 8938 reporting obligations for EPF accounts. US residents/citizens are not permitted to invest in PRS.","EPF pension income (lump sum withdrawals) is tax-exempt in Malaysia for both residents and non-residents. EPF dividends are also fully excluded from the 2% dividend tax introduced for YA2025 (confirmed by LHDN March 2026). However, the destination country may apply its own tax rules to EPF withdrawals received abroad.","Malaysian citizens living abroad retain their EPF accounts and continue to earn annual dividends (minimum 2.5% guaranteed for Simpanan Konvensional) without any requirement to withdraw. Full withdrawal requires formal renunciation of Malaysian citizenship for citizens; foreign workers/expatriates can withdraw upon end of employment.","KWAP civil service pensions are paid monthly to designated bank accounts; pensioners living abroad should ensure their bank details are current with KWAP. Pension adjustments are linked to civil service salary revisions (Phase 1: December 2024; Phase 2: January 2026), not automatic annual indexation.","PRS (Private Retirement Scheme) investments are not available to US residents or US citizens. PRS Sub-Account A is locked until age 55, death, permanent disability, terminal illness, first home purchase, or permanent departure from Malaysia — it cannot be accessed early simply due to relocation abroad.","The World Bank has recommended Malaysia raise the EPF withdrawal age to between 65 and 70 to improve retirement adequacy. As of mid-2026, no such legislative change has been announced, though the RIA Framework (effective January 2026) encourages members to treat EPF as a 20-year income stream from age 60 rather than a lump sum.","New civil service recruits from 1 February 2024 onwards are placed on EPF (11% employee + 12–13% government employer) rather than the traditional KWAP defined benefit pension scheme — a major structural reform affecting future public sector retirement outcomes. The federal government's public pension bill reached approximately RM42.8 billion in 2026."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://iakaun.kwsp.gov.my/portal/member/login","title":"Log in to i-Akaun","detail":"EPF (KWSP) is a provident fund: your account holds an actual balance with an annual dividend, not a promise of a monthly pension."},{"n":2,"title":"Read the account balance and dividend history","detail":"The statement shows employer and employee contributions and the dividends credited each year."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.kwsp.gov.my/en/","title":"Check which account your money sits in","detail":"EPF splits savings across accounts with different withdrawal rules. What you can take, and when, depends on the split rather than the total."},{"n":4,"title":"If you have left Malaysia permanently, check the leaving-country withdrawal","detail":"EPF allows a full withdrawal for members leaving Malaysia permanently, including foreign workers. It requires evidence of departure and renunciation of Malaysian residence status where applicable."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF. EPF does not totalise with foreign systems, so this balance stands alone in your picture."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot activate i-Akaun from outside Malaysia","whatToDo":"EPF has overseas verification arrangements through Malaysian embassies for members abroad, and answers written enquiries. Ask specifically for a statement of account rather than a general enquiry."},{"symptom":"You were registered under a passport number that has since changed","whatToDo":"This is the most common cause of a 'missing' foreign worker's account. Give EPF both the old and new passport numbers and your employer's name."},{"symptom":"Your employer never registered you","whatToDo":"EPF contributions were not mandatory for all categories of foreign worker. If no account exists, check your contract — you may have had a private arrangement instead."}],"portalUrl":"https://iakaun.kwsp.gov.my/portal/member/login","portalName":"EPF i-Akaun","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your EPF membership number, and the identity document you were registered under — Malaysian IC or passport number for foreign workers.","An i-Akaun (member) registration. Activation historically required a visit to a branch or a self-service terminal, which is the obstacle from abroad.","Your Malaysian employers and dates."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether i-Akaun activation is currently possible entirely online for a member outside Malaysia.","documentNameLocal":"Penyata KWSP (EPF statement)","documentNameEnglish":"EPF account statement"}},{"country":"Malta","country_code":"MT","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":61,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Malta operates a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) mandatory state pension (Pillar 1) funded through social security contributions under the Social Security Act (Cap. 318). The primary benefit is the Two-Thirds Pension, an earnings-related contributory retirement pension calculated as two-thirds of the pensionable income based on the best years of contributions. A National Minimum Pension acts as a safety net for those with insufficient contribution histories, and a non-contributory Age Pension (means-tested) exists for those who do not qualify for contributory benefits. A separate Service Pension applies to public officers under the Pensions Ordinance (Cap. 93). The 2025 Strategic Pensions Report (published January 2026, public consultation closed April 2026) found the system 'fundamentally sound', with the sustainability crossover point extended from 2051 to 2054 due to strong contributor growth. Following this review, the government has explicitly ruled out increasing the retirement age or social security contribution rates. The Maximum Pensionable Income (MPI) is being harmonised across all birth cohorts, with a single MPI for all pensioners targeted by 2028. From 2026, all retirement pension income is fully exempt from Maltese income tax for individuals aged 61 and over, up to €37,104 annually (LN 53 of 2026), completing a five-year phased exemption programme that began in 2022. Pillar 2 voluntary occupational pension schemes have existed since 2015 but participation remains critically low (approximately 2% of working-age population as of end-2024). A public consultation on a proposed auto-enrolment occupational pension regime closed in July 2025; the government and MFSA are preparing a Feedback Statement, with private sector implementation originally proposed for June 2026. Pillar 3 personal retirement schemes (PRS) are regulated by the MFSA and benefit from tax incentives including a 25% tax credit on contributions up to €3,000/year.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/information-and-applications-for-benefits-and-services/contributory-pensions/retirement-pension/","name":"Department of Social Security — Retirement Pension"},{"url":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/information-and-applications-for-benefits-and-services/contributory-pensions/retirement-pension/pensions-information/","name":"Department of Social Security — Pensions Information (rates, COLA, MPI)"},{"url":"https://mysocialsecurity.gov.mt","name":"mySocialSecurity Portal (online services, proof of life, payment details)"},{"url":"https://mtca.gov.mt/personal-tax/pensioners/pension-income-in-malta","name":"Malta Tax and Customs Administration — Pension Income"},{"url":"https://mtca.gov.mt/personal-tax/pensioners/tax-exemption-on-pension-income-received-after-61-years-of-age","name":"Malta Tax and Customs Administration — Tax Exemption on Pension Income (61+)"},{"url":"https://mtca.gov.mt/personal-tax/fss/social-security-contribution-rates/class-1---social-security-contribution-rates/2026","name":"Malta Tax and Customs Administration — Social Security Contribution Rates 2026"},{"url":"https://mtca.gov.mt/personal-tax/individual/special-schemes/malta-retirement-programme","name":"Malta Tax and Customs Administration — Malta Retirement Programme"},{"url":"https://gemma.gov.mt/retirement-pensions/","name":"Gemma — Retirement & Pensions Financial Literacy Portal"},{"url":"https://www.mfsa.mt/service-detail/your-social-security-pension/","name":"MFSA — Your Social Security Pension"},{"url":"https://www.gov.mt/en/publicconsultation/Pages/2025/L-0016-2025.aspx","name":"Malta Government — Auto-Enrolment Occupational Pension Consultation"},{"url":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/information-and-applications-for-benefits-and-services/bilateral-agreements/","name":"Department of Social Security — Bilateral Agreements"},{"url":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/strategic-pensions-report-2025-open-for-consultation/","name":"Department of Social Security — 2025 Strategic Pensions Report (Public Consultation)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/mt/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/mt","system_type":"Bismarckian (earnings-related, contributory PAYG) with means-tested non-contributory safety net and voluntary supplementary pillars","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Mandatory contributory state pension (PAYG, earnings-related Two-Thirds Pension and flat-rate National Minimum Pension) plus non-contributory Age Pension (means-tested). Pillar 2: Voluntary Occupational Pension Schemes (established 2015; auto-enrolment regime proposed — public consultation closed July 2025, Feedback Statement pending; ~2% participation as of end-2024; six licensed providers). Pillar 3: Voluntary Personal Retirement Schemes (PRS), regulated by MFSA, with tax incentives since 2015 (25% tax credit on contributions up to €3,000/year, up to €750/year back).","replacement_rate_gross":"~39% (public scheme benefit ratio 2022; projected to decline to ~33% by 2070; Two-Thirds Pension theoretically up to 66.7% of pensionable income for maximum contributors; maximum pension in 2026 approximately €383/week including COLA, based on MPI of €29,083)","min_qualifying_period":"Full benefit (Two-Thirds Pension): 35 years/1,820 weeks (born 1952–1961); 40 years/2,080 weeks (born 1962–1968); 41 years (born 1969–1975); 42 years (born 1976+, effective from Budget 2025). Minimum average of 50 contributions/year required for maximum rate. Partial benefit (National Minimum Pension): 10 years/520 weeks minimum, with at least 1 week after age 19. Persons with fewer than the full required years but at least 10 years receive the National Minimum Pension (flat rate). EU/EEA totalization under EC 883/2004 and bilateral agreement periods count toward these thresholds.","min_qualifying_partial":"10 years (520 weeks) of paid or credited contributions for National Minimum Pension eligibility","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation EC 883/2004 applies automatically to all EU/EEA nationals and their family members covered under one or more member states' social security legislation. Contribution periods in any EU/EEA member state are totalized for determining eligibility and calculating benefit amounts (pro-rata calculation applies). Bilateral agreements with Australia (operative since 1 July 1991), Canada (operative since 1 March 1992, including Quebec), New Zealand (2013), and United Kingdom (1956; revised 1996 — now applies to Isle of Man and Guernsey only post-Brexit, as EU rules superseded the bilateral agreement for Great Britain upon Malta's EU accession in 2004). Under the Canada agreement, a minimum of 52 contributions paid in Malta after age 19 is required; working life residence in Canada is considered in lieu of Maltese contributions. Pro-rata pension calculated based on Maltese contributions as a proportion of total working life in both countries. Funds paid in different EU Member States cannot be transferred — only contribution records are exchanged. A person who worked in more than one EU Member State for more than one year will eventually be entitled to a part pension from each Member State.","totalization_partners":["All 27 EU Member States (via EC Regulation 883/2004)","EEA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway","Switzerland (via EU-Swiss bilateral agreement)","Australia (bilateral, operative 1 July 1991)","Canada (bilateral, operative 1 March 1992, including Quebec)","New Zealand (bilateral, 2013)","United Kingdom — Isle of Man and Guernsey only (bilateral 1956/1996; Great Britain covered by EU rules pre-Brexit)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Contribution rates increased by approximately 3% from 1 January 2026 (routine annual threshold adjustment). Rates themselves (10% employee/employer, 15% self-employed) remain unchanged — the government has explicitly ruled out any rate increases following the 2025 Strategic Pensions Review. Maximum 52–53 contribution weeks per year; maximum average of 50 weeks/year counts for pension calculation; minimum 15 weeks/year average for Two-Thirds Pension eligibility (20 weeks/year for Service Pension holders). Credits granted for unemployment, sickness, child-raising (4 years per child for first 3 children; 8 years for a disabled child; 2 years from 4th child onwards), education, and from January 2026, addiction programme completion (up to 2 years). Social security contributions paid before age 18 now count toward pension entitlement (Budget 2026). From 2026, employment is no longer required to make voluntary contributions solely to meet the 10-year minimum eligibility threshold.","employee_pct":"10% of basic weekly wage (Class 1, employed persons; graduated scale with fixed euro amounts at lower wage bands; maximum weekly contribution €55.93 for those born 1962+ in 2026)","employer_pct":"10% of basic weekly wage (Class 1; equal to employee share; graduated scale; maximum weekly contribution €55.93 for those born 1962+ in 2026)","self_employed_pct":"Class 2 (self-occupied): 15% of annual net income from previous year; maximum weekly contribution €83.89 for those born 1962+ in 2026. Class 3 (self-employed with passive income only): reduced rates apply under specific conditions."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Retrospective contributions for ages 59–64 must be paid before reaching pension age. Applications for voluntary contributions under the 2026 Budget measure (non-employment-based, solely to meet 10-year minimum) available from 2026.","available":true,"annual_cost":"Class 1 voluntary contributions: weekly rates based on applicable wage band (minimum ~€6.62/week at lowest band; standard rate 10% of declared wage; maximum €55.93/week for those born 1962+ in 2026). From 2026, employment is no longer required when paying contributions solely to meet the 10-year minimum eligibility threshold. Individuals aged 59–64 resident in Malta may pay retrospective missing contributions (up to 5 years) to improve their contribution average.","benefit_per_year":"Each additional contribution week improves the contribution average, which directly increases the Two-Thirds Pension rate. The pension is calculated on the average of contributions paid; higher averages yield higher pension rates up to the maximum (50 weeks/year average).","eligibility_conditions":"Individuals aged 59–64, resident in Malta, registered under the Social Security Act. From 2026, employment is no longer required when making contributions solely to meet the 10-year minimum eligibility threshold. Persons working abroad who retain ordinary residence in Malta may apply to pay Class 1 contributions instead of Class 2 under Article 13(i) of the Social Security Act. Child credits do not apply to individuals making backdated payments solely to qualify for a retirement pension."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Formal Pension Deferral (% Increase) Scheme in place since 2016, extended to public sector in 2019. Cumulative percentage increases for deferring pension claim beyond eligibility age: +5% for deferring 1 year; +10% for deferring 2 years; +18% for deferring 3 years; +29% for deferring 4 years (maximum deferral). The percentage increase is cumulative, paid for life, and is in addition to COLA increases. Persons cannot work in paid employment during the deferral period.","early_reduction":"No formal actuarial early-retirement reduction percentage published. Persons retiring early at age 61 who have not accumulated the maximum 50 weeks/year average receive a reduced Two-Thirds Pension proportional to their actual contribution average. Those with insufficient contributions receive the National Minimum Pension (flat rate) instead, which represents a significant implicit reduction. Persons must cease all gainful employment to claim early retirement pension between ages 61 and 64."},"access_options":{"notes":"State pension (Two-Thirds Pension, NMP) is paid as a periodic benefit (every 4 weeks in advance) — no lump sum option. Voluntary Pillar 3 Personal Retirement Schemes permit a combination of lump sum (up to 30% tax-free) and annuity upon retirement between ages 61–70, subject to scheme rules and tax treatment. Lump-sum pensions do not qualify for the Malta Retirement Programme residency scheme.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension: fully portable; continues to be paid abroad to nominated bank account. Voluntary Pillar 2/3 schemes: scheme-dependent; funds generally locked until at least age 50; under proposed auto-enrolment regime, no early withdrawals except below a minimum threshold (lump sum permitted). Consult MFSA-regulated fund provider directly."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump sum distributions from voluntary Pillar 2/3 schemes are subject to tax based on the recipient's tax status at the time of distribution. From 2026, pension income (including lump sums from PRS/VOPS) is 100% exempt up to the €37,104 annual cap (LN 53 of 2026). The applicable rate depends on whether received as lump sum or annuity and the individual's tax computation basis. Up to 30% of a PRS may be taken as a tax-free lump sum.","special_tax_regimes":"Malta Retirement Programme (MRP): flat 15% tax rate on foreign-source income remitted to Malta; minimum annual tax of €7,500 plus €500 per dependent; applicants must receive pension as at least 75% of chargeable income (fully remitted to Malta), own or rent qualifying property (minimum purchase value €275,000 in most of Malta, €220,000 in Gozo/South Malta), reside at least 90 days/year in Malta, and not reside in another country for more than 183 days/year. Lump-sum pensions do not qualify. Open to EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU nationals (extended to non-EU in 2020). Applications via licensed Authorised Registered Mandatary (ARM). Income generated in Malta taxed at standard rates (up to 35%). Global Residence Programme: similar flat-rate regime for third-country nationals. From 2026, pension income (including from state, service, occupational, and private pensions) is 100% exempt from Maltese income tax up to €37,104 annually for residents aged 61+ (LN 53 of 2026, effective basis year 2026/year of assessment 2027). Additionally, qualifying pensioners taxed at married rates may benefit from a tax rebate of up to €540 on other non-pension income. Rental income, investment returns, and part-time work income remain taxable under ordinary rules.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Malta has over 80 double taxation agreements. Treatment varies by treaty. Example: under the Malta-Australia DTA (Article 18), Australian pensions received by a Malta resident are taxable only in Malta. US citizens remain taxable on worldwide income regardless of Maltese exemptions; the Malta-US DTA provides for tax credits to offset double taxation.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens must report worldwide income including Maltese pension income on US federal tax returns. The Malta-US income tax treaty provides relief through tax credits. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to Maltese pension accounts held abroad. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) were repealed effective January 2024 (signed into law January 5, 2025 via the Social Security Fairness Act), eliminating reductions to US Social Security benefits for those also receiving foreign pensions. Note: proposed IRS regulations targeting Malta pension plan arrangements as listed transactions have stalled and were excluded from Treasury's 2025–2026 priority guidance plan.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Service Pensions (government/public officer pensions under Cap. 93) are treated separately from Social Security contributory pensions for reduction purposes. Both types are subject to the same income tax exemption framework from 2026 (100% exempt up to €37,104 cap under LN 53 of 2026). Widow/er's pensions remain fully exempt.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% — the Department of Social Security does not withhold income tax on pension payments to non-residents. Non-residents are taxed only on Malta-source income under Maltese law; pension income from Malta may be taxable in the country of residence depending on applicable double taxation agreement."},"indexation":{"notes":"Indexation is automatic and applies equally to all beneficiaries regardless of country of residence. For 2026, all pensions increased by €10/week (€520/year), comprising €4.66 COLA + €5.34 additional government increase. For 2025, the increase was €8/week (€416/year) including COLA of €5.24/week. COLA is calculated based on a basket of 40 goods and services. Government reviews COLA annually in the budget speech. Two-thirds of COLA is added to the pension rate; one-third is added to the cost-of-living bonus. The cost-of-living bonus has been harmonised to a fixed €21.53/week for all pensioners from 2027, eliminating the 2008 anomaly discrepancy. A separate Additional Cost of Living Benefit is available for low-to-medium income households. The government has committed to a €50/week total pension increase over the current legislature.","method":"Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) announced annually in the government budget speech, based on a price index of a basket of 40 goods and services. Applied as a weekly euro amount increase to all contributory and non-contributory pensions. Additional above-COLA increases have been granted each year from 2021 to 2026.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Contributory state pensions (Two-Thirds Pension, National Minimum Pension) are FULLY PORTABLE to any country worldwide. Pension continues indefinitely; payments made to overseas bank account via SWIFT/SEPA transfer. Non-contributory benefits (non-contributory Age Pension, non-contributory invalidity benefits) are NOT exportable — cease if beneficiary leaves Malta (limited travel exceptions: up to 3 months to Australia, New Zealand or Canada; up to 1 month to non-EU countries for Social Assistance/Age Pension). EU/EEA and bilateral agreement countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK-IoM/Guernsey): automatic portability with pro-rata calculation where applicable. Non-agreement countries: contributory pensions remain portable. Service Pensions: exportable subject to bilateral agreement terms. No transfer of accrued pension rights to another country's system is possible (no pension transfer agreements); only portability of payment."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"From an EU/EEA country: lodge claim through the social security institution of the country of residence; forms are transmitted to Malta's Department of Social Security via international relations channels. If residing in an EU country but never worked there, the claim is still lodged through that country's social security office. From Australia, Canada, or New Zealand: lodge claim through the social security institution of that country (Service Australia, Service Canada, or Work and Income NZ respectively), which forwards to Malta. From a non-agreement third country: download claim forms from socialsecurity.gov.mt and send by post to the Department of Social Security, or lodge in person while visiting Malta. Three months prior to reaching pension age, prospective pensioners receive a notification letter from the Department of Social Security requesting or confirming necessary details including IBAN. Claimants must complete and return the form within six months of reaching pension age; late submissions are payable only from the submission date. Banking details can be updated online via the mySocialSecurity portal.","advance_timeline":"3 months before pension age (notification letter sent by Department of Social Security); claim form must be returned within 6 months of pension age","payment_frequency":"Every 4 weeks in advance (standard). Overseas payments made via SWIFT/SEPA bank transfer to nominated foreign account in EUR.","required_documents":["Proof of identity (passport or national ID card; certified copy required)","Birth certificate or civil registration document (certified copy)","FS3 (employer's annual tax statement) for the year prior to retirement application (for employees)","Profit & Loss account dated and signed by an accountant, plus social security contribution receipts (for self-occupied persons)","Company Memorandum of Understanding documents for directors/shareholders (for applicants born before 1962)","Jobsplus employment termination proof (if choosing early opt-out retirement pension)","Bank statement indicating account holder name and IBAN (must be in beneficiary's name only)","Official document showing original earnings if in receipt of any other pension including a foreign pension","Document from Malta Enterprise for years in receipt of COVID Wage Supplement (if applicable)","Marriage certificate (if applicable, for dependent supplements)","Proof of overseas address (utility bill, rental agreement, or accommodation registration in country of residence)","Details of employment abroad and contribution records with other countries (for EU/bilateral totalization claims)","Certified translations into Maltese or English (if documents are in other languages)","Completed application forms (available from socialsecurity.gov.mt or by post from International Relations Unit)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"mySocialSecurity portal (https://mysocialsecurity.gov.mt) is accessible from abroad with e-ID login (Malta's digital identity system). Features include: view benefit payment history, update banking details (IBAN), submit proof-of-life certificate, generate benefit rate certificate, update postal address (available even without e-ID for address changes). Requires pre-setup of e-ID account before departure from Malta (via Identità agency). Two-factor authentication via SMS may require a Maltese phone number; email/security question alternatives may be available. Set up account while still in Malta.","proof_of_life_notes":"The Department of Social Security requests a life certificate on a regular basis from beneficiaries residing outside Malta. A Life Certificate form is sent to every person in receipt of a pension or benefit abroad. Failure to return the certificate by the deadline may result in benefit suspension pending resubmission. The certifying organisation must be official (e.g. local authority, notary, police, embassy). The mySocialSecurity portal (mysocialsecurity.gov.mt) allows online submission of proof-of-life certificates. Since 2024, exemptions from certain requirements apply automatically once 12 years have passed since the first award of the State Pension.","international_contact":{"email":"Not specifically listed; enquiries via online contact form at socialsecurity.gov.mt/contact-us or postal address","hours":"Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00 (Malta local time, CET/CEST). Phone support available during office hours only.","phone":"+356 21255153 (main switchboard; not toll-free from abroad)","postal_address":"Department of Social Security, Ministry for Family and Social Solidarity, Civil Service Office, Valletta VLT1900, Malta"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Maltese or English","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Two-Thirds Pension (Contributory Retirement Pension)","type":"state","description":"Earnings-related PAYG pension calculated as two-thirds of the pensionable income (average of best years' salary). Pensionable income is based on: (i) best 3 consecutive years in last 10–13 years for those born 1952–1961; (ii) best 10 years over the full 40-year period for those born 1962–1968; (iii) best 10 years over the full 41-year period for those born 1969–1975; (iv) best 10 years over the full 42-year period for those born 1976+. Maximum Pensionable Income (MPI) cap applies; from 2024 a gradual transition to a single MPI for all cohorts is underway, targeted for completion by 2028. For 2026, MPI for those born 1962+ is €29,083; maximum pension approximately €383/week (including €10/week COLA+additional increase). For 2026, all pensions increased by €10/week (€4.66 COLA + €5.34 additional). Cost-of-living bonus harmonised to €21.53/week for all pensioners from 2027. Pension is portable to any EU/EEA country or bilateral agreement partner. Non-contributory benefits are NOT exportable. Payment is made every 4 weeks in advance. Social security contributions paid before age 18 now count toward pension entitlement (Budget 2026). New Addiction Programme Credits introduced from January 2026 (up to 2 years).","officialUrl":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/information-and-applications-for-benefits-and-services/contributory-pensions/retirement-pension/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Born 1952–1961: 35 years (1,820 weeks) paid/credited contributions. Born 1962–1968: 40 years (2,080 weeks). Born 1969–1975: 41 years (2,132 weeks). Born 1976+: 42 years (as of Budget 2025). Maximum average of 50 contributions/year required for full rate; minimum average of 15 contributions/year for Two-Thirds Pension eligibility (20 weeks/year for Service Pension holders). Early retirement possible from age 61 if contribution conditions met and not in gainful employment.","contributionRateEmployee":"10% of basic weekly wage (Class 1, graduated scale with fixed amounts at lower wage bands; maximum €55.93/week for those born 1962+ in 2026)","contributionRateEmployer":"10% of basic weekly wage (equal to employee share; graduated scale; maximum €55.93/week for those born 1962+ in 2026)"},{"name":"National Minimum Pension (NMP)","type":"state","description":"Safety-net flat-rate pension for persons who did not accumulate sufficient contributions for the full Two-Thirds Pension. Set at four-fifths of the National Minimum Wage for a married person maintaining a spouse, and two-thirds of the National Minimum Wage for any other person. Exportable as a contributory benefit to EU/EEA and bilateral agreement countries. EU/EEA periods totalize toward the 10-year minimum threshold under EC Regulation 883/2004. From 2026, the 10-year minimum contribution requirement applies to all pensioners regardless of birth year, and employment is no longer required when making contributions solely to meet this 10-year minimum threshold.","officialUrl":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/information-and-applications-for-benefits-and-services/contributory-pensions/retirement-pension/","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 10 years (520 weeks) of paid or credited contributions, with at least 1 week after age 19. May be combined with periods in other EU member states under EC 883/2004 coordination. From 2026, employment is no longer required when paying contributions solely to meet the 10-year minimum threshold.","contributionRateEmployee":"10% of basic weekly wage (Class 1)","contributionRateEmployer":"10% of basic weekly wage (Class 1)"},{"name":"Service Pension (Public Officers)","type":"occupational","description":"Defined benefit pension for public officers governed by the Pensions Ordinance (Cap. 93). Separate from the Social Security contributory pension. Service Pension recipients who also paid Social Security contributions outside government service may receive both a Service Pension and a Two-Thirds Pension (subject to reduction rules). The portion of the service pension not deducted from the social security pension was increased by a further €200 in Budget 2026, reaching €3,866. At age 72, the entire calculated service pension amount is no longer taken into account for social security pension reduction purposes. Proof of life required if paid abroad.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":20,"vestingPeriod":"Typically 20+ years of public service required for vesting. Minimum average of 20 weeks/year contributions for Service Pension holders (higher than the 15 weeks/year for Two-Thirds Pension). Flat-rate pension applies to those also receiving a Service Pension.","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Voluntary Occupational Pension Schemes / Auto-Enrolment (Pillar 2)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary Occupational Pension Schemes (VOPS) established under S.L. 123.175 since 2015. As of end-2024, approximately 4,667 members (~2% of 18–60 year-olds) participated, with six licensed providers. Budget 2025 announced an obligation on employers to offer occupational pension plans; a public consultation on a formal auto-enrolment regime was launched on 18 June 2025 and closed in July 2025. The government and MFSA are preparing a Feedback Statement; private sector implementation was originally proposed for June 2026 but final rules have not yet been enacted as of mid-2026. Under the proposed regime: minimum employee contribution of €50/month (deducted from salary); employer contributions remain voluntary but eligible for tax credits; government to match contributions for public sector employees up to €100/month. Employees have the right to opt out. Contributions tax-deductible; employers receive a 25% tax credit on contributions up to €750/employee/year. Regulated by MFSA. Only products regulated under the Retirement Pensions Act (not insurance-based products) are proposed to be eligible under the auto-enrolment framework.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.mt/en/publicconsultation/Pages/2025/L-0016-2025.aspx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No statutory minimum vesting period under current voluntary framework. Proposed auto-enrolment regime would apply to eligible employees paying social security contributions in Malta, aged 18 to within 10 years of retirement age (opt-in available for those outside this range). Third-country nationals eligible after 6 months of employment or end of probation period.","contributionRateEmployee":"Minimum €50/month under proposed auto-enrolment regime (voluntary under current VOPS rules)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary (no mandatory employer contribution under proposal); government matches up to €100/month for public sector employees"},{"name":"Personal Retirement Schemes (Pillar 3)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary personal pension savings regulated by MFSA under the Personal Retirement Scheme (PRS) rules (introduced 2015). Contributions up to €3,000/year attract a 25% tax credit (up to €750/year). Investment growth is tax-free. From 2026, distributions from PRS/VOPS are fully exempt from income tax up to the €37,104 annual cap (LN 53 of 2026). Distributions may be received as lump sum (up to 30% tax-free) or annuity; funds accessible between ages 61–70. Normally 'locked in' until at least age 50. Limited uptake in Malta.","officialUrl":"https://www.mfsa.mt/service-detail/your-social-security-pension/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No statutory vesting period. Contribution history and investment performance determine final balance. Funds generally not accessible before age 50; normal access between ages 61–70.","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Malta participates in EU social security coordination under EC Regulation 883/2004, which applies to all EU/EEA nationals and their family members. Contribution periods in any EU/EEA member state are totalized for eligibility and pro-rata benefit calculation.","Malta has bilateral social security agreements with Australia (operative 1 July 1991), Canada including Quebec (operative 1 March 1992), New Zealand (2013), and the United Kingdom — Isle of Man and Guernsey only post-Brexit (original agreement 1956, revised 1996). The UK bilateral agreement was superseded by EU rules for Great Britain upon Malta's EU accession in 2004.","Contributory state pensions (Two-Thirds Pension, NMP) are fully portable worldwide. Non-contributory benefits (Age Pension, non-contributory invalidity benefits) are NOT exportable and cease upon departure from Malta (limited travel exceptions apply for Social Assistance/Age Pension).","The Department of Social Security does NOT withhold income tax on pension payments to non-residents. Non-residents are liable to taxation in their country of residence, subject to applicable double taxation agreements. Malta has over 80 DTAs.","Malta Retirement Programme (MRP): a special residency scheme for EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU nationals receiving a pension as at least 75% of chargeable income. Offers a flat 15% tax rate on foreign-source income remitted to Malta, with a minimum annual tax of €7,500 plus €500 per dependent. Applicants must own or rent qualifying property in Malta and reside at least 90 days/year in Malta. Lump-sum pensions do not qualify. Extended to non-EU nationals in 2020.","From 2026, pension income (state, service, occupational, and private) is 100% exempt from Maltese income tax up to €37,104 annually for residents aged 61+ (LN 53 of 2026). Additionally, qualifying pensioners taxed at married rates may benefit from a tax rebate of up to €540 on other non-pension income. Rental income, investment returns, and part-time work income remain taxable.","US citizens residing in Malta remain taxable on worldwide income under US law. The Malta-US DTA provides for tax credits to offset double taxation. The WEP and GPO were repealed effective January 2024 (Social Security Fairness Act signed January 5, 2025), eliminating reductions to US Social Security benefits for those also receiving foreign pensions.","Persons born on or after 1976 now require 42 years of contributions (up from 41) for a full Two-Thirds Pension, as announced in Budget 2025. The statutory retirement age (65 for those born 1962+) is unchanged. The government has explicitly ruled out any further increases to retirement age or contribution rates following the 2025 Strategic Pensions Review.","The Maximum Pensionable Income (MPI) is being harmonised across all birth cohorts since 2024, with a single MPI for all pensioners targeted by 2028. For 2026, the MPI for those born 1962+ is €29,083; pre-1962 pensioners' MPI is being raised at a faster rate to align.","A proposed auto-enrolment occupational pension regime (public consultation June–July 2025) would require employers to offer qualifying pension schemes and automatically enrol eligible employees, with a minimum employee contribution of €50/month and voluntary employer contributions. The consultation is closed and a Feedback Statement from the government and MFSA is pending; private sector implementation was originally proposed for June 2026.","Proof of life certificates are required periodically for overseas beneficiaries. The mySocialSecurity portal (mysocialsecurity.gov.mt) allows online submission. Since 2024, certain exemptions apply automatically after 12 years of pension receipt.","From January 2026, social security contributions paid before age 18 count toward pension entitlement, and new Addiction Programme Credits (up to 2 years) are available for persons completing certified addiction programmes."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://mysocialsecurity.gov.mt","title":"Open mySocialSecurity","detail":"The Department of Social Security's online portal, covering contribution records, payment details and proof of life."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in with e-ID Malta","detail":"e-ID is the government's single identity. It is tied to a Maltese ID card, so it is the obstacle for people who have left."},{"n":3,"url":"https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/information-and-applications-for-benefits-and-services/contributory-pensions/retirement-pension/","title":"Open your contribution record","detail":"It lists paid and credited contributions by year. Maltese pensions depend on both the number of contributions and the yearly average, so the pattern matters, not just the total."},{"n":4,"title":"Check credited contributions","detail":"Periods of study, unemployment and certain care responsibilities can be credited rather than paid. They count, and they are frequently missing."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep the PDF or the letter, and note the reference of any correction request."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot get an e-ID from outside Malta","whatToDo":"The Department of Social Security responds to written requests for a contribution record. If you live in an EU/EEA country, lodging a claim through your country of residence also triggers Malta to produce the record."},{"symptom":"You worked in Malta but never held a Maltese ID card","whatToDo":"A social security number was still issued. It appears on payslips; the Department can trace it from your name, date of birth and employer."},{"symptom":"The record shows fewer years than you expected","whatToDo":"Check whether periods were recorded under a different employer name or an agency. Ask for a written breakdown by year rather than a total."}],"portalUrl":"https://mysocialsecurity.gov.mt","portalName":"mySocialSecurity","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Maltese social security number and ID card number.","An e-ID Malta account, which is what mySocialSecurity authenticates against.","Your Maltese employers and years. Malta counts contribution weeks, so short periods still register."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether e-ID Malta can currently be issued or renewed from abroad.","documentNameLocal":"Contribution record / Rekord tal-kontribuzzjonijiet","documentNameEnglish":"Social security contribution record"}},{"country":"Mexico","country_code":"MX","continent":"americas","currency":"Mexican Peso (MXN)","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Mexico operates a multi-pillar pension system that has undergone significant reforms in 2019, 2020, and 2024. The system combines a universal non-contributory basic pension (Pensión para el Bienestar de las Personas Adultas Mayores) for all residents aged 65+ (women aged 60–64 receive a transitional half-benefit from 2026), a mandatory funded defined-contribution (DC) system administered by private AFORE fund managers (Administradoras de Fondos para el Retiro) under the SAR (Retirement Savings System), and voluntary supplementary savings. The original IMSS pay-as-you-go defined-benefit system was replaced by individual AFORE accounts in 1997 for private-sector workers and in 2007 for public-sector workers (ISSSTE). A landmark 2020 reform progressively raised total mandatory contributions from 6.5% to a target of 15% of salary by 2030/2031, reduced the minimum qualifying weeks, and improved the Guaranteed Minimum Pension (PMG). As of 2025, employer contributions stand at 9.5% of salary, rising to 10.5% in 2026 and ultimately to 13.875% by 2030. AFORE assets reached MXN 8.3 trillion (23.8% of GDP) at end-2025, with approximately 70 million individual accounts and average investment yields of 16.8% in 2025.\n\nA major May 2024 reform created the Welfare Pension Fund (Fondo de Pensiones para el Bienestar – FPB), which from July 2024 provides a Solidarity Supplement (Complemento Solidario) guaranteeing that eligible pensioners aged 65+ receive 100% of their last contributory salary, capped at the average IMSS monthly wage (MXN 17,364/month in 2025, updated to MXN 17,885.85/month in 2026, adjusted annually for inflation). This supplement is funded by the federal government and does not require additional employer or employee contributions. According to OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, net replacement rates for full-career workers entering the labour market at age 22 in 2024 equal 132% at half the average wage and 80% at the average wage. Mexico also extended mandatory AFORE coverage to digital platform workers (gig economy) from June/July 2025, following the 2022 extension to domestic workers. The universal non-contributory pension increased to MXN 6,400 bimonthly in 2026 (from MXN 6,200 in 2025), reaching approximately 13.6–14.1 million beneficiaries.\n\nDespite these reforms, significant challenges remain: high labour market informality (approximately 60 million informal workers), low contribution density, and a fragmented system with separate regimes for PEMEX, CFE, ISSFAM, and various state/university schemes. The US-Mexico totalization agreement was signed in 2004 but remains not yet in force as of mid-2026. Mexico is a member of the Iberoamerican Social Security Agreement covering 22 countries, and has bilateral agreements with Canada, Spain, Italy, and others. The OECD has raised concerns about the long-term financing sustainability of the FPB, which relies partly on transfers from inactive AFORE accounts.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.consar.gob.mx","name":"CONSAR (National Commission for the Retirement Savings System)"},{"url":"https://www.imss.gob.mx","name":"IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute)"},{"url":"https://tspi.imss.gob.mx/","name":"Mi Pension Digital (IMSS Online Pension Claims)"},{"url":"https://www.aforeweb.com.mx/","name":"AforeWeb – AFORE Balance Portal"},{"url":"https://www.issste.gob.mx","name":"ISSSTE (Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers)"},{"url":"https://www.consar.gob.mx/gobmx/Aplicativo/calculadora/imss/CalculadoraIMSS.aspx","name":"CONSAR Pension Calculator (IMSS)"},{"url":"https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/","name":"Mexican Consulate Services Locator (SRE)"},{"url":"https://serviciosdigitales.imss.gob.mx","name":"IMSS Digital Services (NSS Registration)"},{"url":"https://www.sat.gob.mx","name":"SAT (Tax Authority – ISR/Pension Tax)"},{"url":"https://www.gob.mx/bienestar","name":"Secretaría de Bienestar (Universal Pension Program)"},{"url":"https://programasparaelbienestar.gob.mx","name":"Programas para el Bienestar (Official Pension Amounts & Calendars)"},{"url":"https://www.gob.mx/consar/articulos/fondo-de-pensiones-para-el-bienestar-394538","name":"CONSAR – Fondo de Pensiones para el Bienestar (FPB)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/mx/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/mx","system_type":"Mixed multi-pillar system: universal non-contributory safety net + mandatory funded defined-contribution (DC) individual accounts (AFORE/SAR) + voluntary savings; fragmented across IMSS (private sector), ISSSTE (public sector), PEMEX, CFE, ISSFAM and other special regimes","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: Universal non-contributory basic pension – Pensión para el Bienestar de las Personas Adultas Mayores (adults 65+; women 60–64 receive transitional half-benefit from 2026 via Pensión Mujeres Bienestar at MXN 3,100 bimonthly); full pension MXN 6,400 bimonthly (2026). Pillar 1: Mandatory funded DC – AFORE individual accounts (SAR) for IMSS-affiliated private-sector workers + Guaranteed Minimum Pension (PMG/Pensión Garantizada) top-up from federal government; ISSSTE equivalent for public-sector workers. Pillar 1.5 (2024 reform): Solidarity Supplement via Fondo de Pensiones para el Bienestar (FPB) – guarantees 100% replacement of last salary up to IMSS average wage cap (MXN 17,364/month in 2025; MXN 17,885.85/month in 2026) for eligible DC pensioners aged 65+. Pillar 2: Voluntary AFORE contributions (ahorro voluntario) – tax-deductible up to MXN 152,000/year or 10% of annual income.","replacement_rate_gross":"~76% at average wage (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, net replacement rate 80% at average wage; gross replacement rate 70%+ at average wage per OECD mandatory scheme data); 121% gross / 132% net for low earners (half average wage) for full-career workers entering at age 22 in 2024 under legislated measures including FPB supplement","min_qualifying_period":"1997 Regime (AFORE/Ley 97): 875 weeks (approximately 16.8 years) for old-age pension at 65 as of 2025 (increasing 25 weeks/year from 750 in 2021 toward 1,000 by 2031); same minimum for early retirement (cesantía) at age 60 with unemployment. 1973 Regime (pre-1997 entrants/Ley 73): 500 weeks (~9.6 years) for old-age pension at 65; 500 weeks for early retirement at 60.","min_qualifying_partial":"Workers below minimum weeks receive lump-sum AFORE balance only (negativa de pensión) – no periodic pension. Universal non-contributory basic pension (Pensión para el Bienestar) has no qualifying period.","aggregation_rules":"Bilateral totalization agreements allow combination of contribution periods from partner countries to meet minimum qualifying weeks for pension eligibility. Mexico is a member of the Iberoamerican Social Security Agreement (Convenio Multilateral Iberoamericano de Seguridad Social) covering 22 countries including Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and others. Bilateral agreements with Canada, Spain, and Italy are in force. US-Mexico agreement signed 2004 but NOT YET IN FORCE as of mid-2026. Workers with contributions under both the 1973 and 1997 regimes may combine weeks.","totalization_partners":["Canada","Spain","Italy","Argentina","Chile","Colombia","Brazil","Uruguay","Paraguay","Bolivia","Ecuador","Peru","Venezuela","Costa Rica","Cuba","Dominican Republic","El Salvador","Guatemala","Honduras","Nicaragua","Panama","Portugal","Andorra","United States (signed 2004, NOT YET IN FORCE as of mid-2026)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total mandatory retirement contribution (employee + employer + government) rising from 6.5% (pre-2021) to 15% by 2030/2031 under the 2020 reform. Employer RCV contribution: 9.5% in 2025, 10.5% in 2026, reaching 13.875% by 2030. Employee contribution remains fixed at 1.125%. Government 'cuota social' (social quota) contribution per day of work is progressive (higher for lower-wage workers). Contribution ceiling: 25 times the monthly UMA (UMA daily value: MXN 113.14 in 2025; MXN 117.31 in 2026 effective February 1, 2026, a +3.69% increase). Annual UMA 2025: MXN 41,273.52; Annual UMA 2026: MXN 42,795 (approx.).","employee_pct":"1.125% of salary to RCV (retirement) sub-account; plus ~1.25% for disability/survivors insurance; total IMSS employee contribution approximately 2.375–2.78% of salary across all branches","employer_pct":"9.5% of salary to RCV sub-account (2025), rising to 10.5% in 2026 and 13.875% by 2030; plus 5% to INFONAVIT housing fund; plus contributions for health, disability, occupational risk (total employer IMSS burden approximately 20–35% of salary depending on risk category and salary level)","self_employed_pct":"Voluntary enrollment in AFORE/IMSS; self-employed may register voluntarily under 'Personas Trabajadoras Independientes' scheme at Mexican consulates or IMSS offices"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"No fixed deadline; contributions can be made at any time to AFORE account","available":true,"annual_cost":null,"benefit_per_year":"Tax deduction of up to MXN 152,000/year or 10% of annual taxable income (whichever is lower) for long-term voluntary contributions; investment returns accumulate tax-deferred until withdrawal","eligibility_conditions":"Any worker with an AFORE account; self-employed and independent workers may enroll voluntarily in IMSS/AFORE. Mexicans abroad may enroll through Mexican consulates under the 'Personas Trabajadoras Independientes' scheme (over 16,000 enrolled in the US as of late 2025)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No formal actuarial late-retirement bonus under the DC system. Continued contributions beyond age 65 increase the AFORE balance and thus the eventual pension or programmed withdrawal amount. The social security system has no penalties for continued work after normal retirement age.","early_reduction":"Cesantía en edad avanzada (early retirement at age 60–64): approximately 5% reduction per year of early retirement relative to age-65 pension under the 1973 (pre-1997) DB regime (Ley 73 cesantía factor: 75% of full pension at age 60). Under the 1997 DC/AFORE regime (Ley 97), early retirement results in a lower accumulated balance (fewer contribution years and investment returns) rather than a formal actuarial penalty; the Pensión Garantizada is also lower at age 60 than at 65 based on contribution weeks and age brackets."},"access_options":{"notes":"At retirement, workers choose between: (1) lifetime annuity (renta vitalicia) purchased from an insurance company; (2) programmed withdrawals (retiro programado) managed by the AFORE, recalculated annually based on life expectancy and account balance; or (3) a combination of both (permitted under the reformed Social Security Law). Workers who do not meet minimum contribution weeks receive their full AFORE balance as a lump sum (negativa de pensión). Partial withdrawals permitted for: unemployment (up to 11.5% of RCV balance or 90 days of average salary, whichever is less, after 46 days of unemployment, exercisable every 5 years); marriage grant (30 days of salary, once in a lifetime). Pensioners or survivors may claim remaining AFORE balance 10 years after pension commencement. INFONAVIT housing sub-account balance reverts to retirement account if no housing loan was taken.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"No automatic departure-based withdrawal. AFORE account balances remain in Mexico until retirement age (65) or early retirement eligibility (60 with unemployment). Foreigners who worked in Mexico and did not accumulate sufficient weeks for a pension may withdraw their AFORE balance as a lump sum. Non-resident pension payments subject to Mexican ISR withholding tax (15–30% depending on applicable tax treaty). A 2020 court ruling confirmed foreigners may claim AFORE and INFONAVIT balances even without sufficient weeks for a pension."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Partially tax-exempt: up to 90 UMA daily x years of service exempt from ISR for lump-sum withdrawals (negativa de pensión or AFORE balance withdrawal); excess taxed at progressive ISR rates (1.92% to 35%). Annual UMA value for 2025: MXN 41,273.52 (daily UMA MXN 113.14); for 2026 (from February 1): daily UMA MXN 117.31, annual UMA approximately MXN 42,795.","special_tax_regimes":"Voluntary AFORE contributions (long-term/complementary) are tax-deductible up to MXN 152,000/year or 10% of annual income; withdrawals at retirement are taxed. Special 'savings for retirement' accounts allow tax deferral for minimum 5 years. The 2026 general personal deduction limit is the lesser of 15% of yearly overall income or five annual UMA (maximum MXN 213,973 for 2026).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; US-Mexico income tax treaty (1992, in force 1994) provides relief on pension income; specific reduced rates depend on treaty article and income type","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens and green card holders must report worldwide income including Mexican pensions on Form 1040. Mexican AFORE accounts may require FBAR (FinCEN 114) and Form 8938 reporting if balances exceed thresholds. US-Mexico income tax treaty (not the unratified totalization agreement) provides foreign tax credit relief to avoid double taxation. No PFIC issues for AFORE accounts as they are employer-sponsored mandatory plans.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Government pensions (IMSS, ISSSTE) and private AFORE pensions are both subject to ISR. Pension income up to 15 times the daily UMA per day is exempt from ISR for residents (threshold approximately MXN 51,592/month in 2025 using 2025 UMA; rising to approximately MXN 53,493/month from February 2026 using 2026 UMA of MXN 117.31/day). For non-residents, withholding applies to the full amount subject to treaty provisions.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"15–30% ISR withholding on Mexican-source pension income for non-residents; standard rate is 30% but reduced under applicable tax treaties (e.g., US-Mexico income tax treaty in force since 1994 may reduce rate)"},"indexation":{"notes":"IMSS and ISSSTE defined-benefit pensions (1973 regime transitional workers) are adjusted annually in February based on changes in the consumer price index (CPI/INPC). AFORE account balances grow based on investment returns (average 16.8% yield in 2025; historical average ~10.7% annually). The Guaranteed Minimum Pension (PMG) under Ley 73 is indexed to the general minimum wage (updated each January; MXN 10,636.54/month in 2026). The Pensión Garantizada under Ley 97 is indexed to UMA. The universal non-contributory basic pension (Pensión para el Bienestar) is increased annually by government decree (MXN 6,200 bimonthly in 2025; MXN 6,400 bimonthly in 2026). The FPB Solidarity Supplement cap is adjusted annually on January 1 for inflation (MXN 17,364/month in 2025; MXN 17,885.85/month in 2026). Pensions are payable worldwide; no frozen pension policy for Mexican pensions abroad.","method":"DB pensions (Ley 73): annual CPI adjustment each February. DC/AFORE: investment returns on individual account balance. Programmed withdrawals recalculated annually based on updated life expectancy tables and remaining account balance. Annuities: price-indexed (renta vitalicia indexada a precios). PMG (Ley 73): indexed to minimum wage, updated each January. Pensión Garantizada (Ley 97): indexed to UMA. Universal pension: annual government decree increases. FPB cap: annual inflation adjustment each January 1.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"AFORE balance is fully portable between AFORE managers (workers may switch AFORE under CONSAR rules). AFORE balance follows the worker regardless of employer changes. Lump-sum withdrawal of full AFORE balance available at retirement age or upon negativa de pensión (insufficient weeks). Contribution weeks potentially aggregable under bilateral totalization agreements (Iberoamerican Agreement + bilateral treaties with Canada, Spain, Italy, and others). US-Mexico totalization agreement signed but not in force as of mid-2026 – US and Mexican contribution periods cannot currently be combined. Non-resident pensioners receive payments via international wire transfer or check through Mexican consulates."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Private-sector workers (IMSS/AFORE): File pension claim via Mi Pension Digital platform (https://tspi.imss.gob.mx/) or in person at any IMSS office. Processing time approximately 30–60 days. Required steps: (1) verify contribution weeks (semanas cotizadas) via IMSS portal or office; (2) select AFORE and retirement modality (annuity, programmed withdrawal, or combination); (3) submit claim with required documents; (4) AFORE transfers funds to insurance company (annuity) or manages programmed withdrawals. FPB Solidarity Supplement eligibility is assessed automatically during the pension application process – no separate application required. Public-sector workers (ISSSTE): Apply through ISSSTE offices or PENSIONISSSTE. Pensioners abroad: IMSS and ISSSTE services available at 146+ Mexican consular offices worldwide for contribution verification, pension claims, and survival certification. Pension payments abroad via international wire transfer to foreign bank account or check sent via consulate.","advance_timeline":"Recommended to begin process 3–6 months before desired retirement date; IMSS recommends verifying semanas cotizadas at least 1 year in advance","payment_frequency":"Monthly (12 payments per year plus a 13th Christmas bonus payment – aguinaldo – equal to one month's pension without supplements, for DB/transitional pensioners). Programmed withdrawals: monthly. Universal non-contributory pension: bimonthly (every 2 months).","required_documents":["CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) – 18-character national ID","INE (voter ID card) or valid Mexican passport or official ID","NSS (Número de Seguro Social – Social Security Number)","RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes – tax ID, for tax purposes)","Employment records / semanas cotizadas (contribution weeks history)","Birth certificate","Bank account details (Mexican or foreign bank for international transfer)","Beneficiary information (name, CURP, relationship)","Email address and phone number","Marriage certificate (if applicable, for survivor benefits)","For claims abroad: Matrícula consular (consular ID) accepted as valid ID at Mexican consulates"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Mi Pension Digital (https://tspi.imss.gob.mx/) accessible from abroad for IMSS pension claims. AforeWeb (https://www.aforeweb.com.mx/) for AFORE balance inquiries. CONSAR portal (https://www.consar.gob.mx/) for pension calculators and AFORE information. NSS can be obtained online at serviciosdigitales.imss.gob.mx from anywhere in the world. IMSS services (including NSS registration, contribution verification, and survival certification) available at 146+ Mexican consulates worldwide under a 2022 SRE-IMSS agreement.","proof_of_life_notes":"CRITICAL for pensioners abroad: Certificado de supervivencia (survival certificate / supervivencia) required TWICE per year at the nearest Mexican consulate. Non-compliance results in automatic pension suspension. Service is free of charge at 146+ Mexican consular offices worldwide in 50+ countries. Pensioners in Mexico are verified through death certificate cross-referencing between government agencies. Consulate locator: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/","international_contact":{"phone":"IMSS: +52 (55) 1102-1000 / 01 800 623 23 23; CONSAR: 01-800-502-6672; IMSS services available at 146+ Mexican consular offices worldwide; Consulate locator: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Spanish (official); some consular offices provide assistance in English and other languages","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Pensión para el Bienestar de las Personas Adultas Mayores (Universal Non-Contributory Basic Pension)","type":"state","description":"Universal non-contributory safety net pension paid from the federal budget. Covers all Mexican residents aged 65+ (men and women). Benefit: MXN 6,400 bimonthly (MXN 3,200/month) as of 2026, up from MXN 6,200 bimonthly in 2025 and MXN 6,000 bimonthly in 2024. Approximately 13.6–14.1 million beneficiaries in 2026. Constitutionally guaranteed since 2020. No contribution requirement. Paid via Banco del Bienestar card. Additionally, the Pensión Mujeres Bienestar provides MXN 3,100 bimonthly to women aged 60–64 (transitional half-benefit, expanded from age 63 in 2025 to age 60 in 2026); women automatically transition to the full adult pension at age 65.","officialUrl":"https://www.gob.mx/bienestar","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No qualifying period – universal for residents aged 65+; women aged 60–64 eligible for transitional Pensión Mujeres Bienestar from 2026","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"SAR / AFORE – Mandatory Funded Defined Contribution System (Pillar 1 / Pillar 2)","type":"private","description":"Mandatory individual retirement accounts managed by private AFORE fund managers (10 AFOREs as of 2025), regulated by CONSAR. Covers: private-sector workers (IMSS-affiliated, since 1997); public-sector workers via ISSSTE (since 2007); domestic workers (since 2022); digital platform workers earning at least minimum monthly wage (since June/July 2025). Approximately 70 million individual accounts as of end-2025, with MXN 8.3 trillion (23.8% of GDP) in assets; average investment yield 16.8% in 2025 (historical average ~10.7% annually). At retirement, workers choose between: (a) lifetime annuity from an insurance company (renta vitalicia), (b) programmed withdrawals (retiro programado) from AFORE, or (c) a combination of both. Guaranteed Pension (Pensión Garantizada) under Ley 97 for workers with sufficient contribution weeks who cannot fund their own annuity (amount varies by age, weeks, and salary; approximately MXN 3,289.60/month base in 2026 under Ley 97 rules). Guaranteed Minimum Pension (PMG) under Ley 73 (transitional workers): MXN 10,636.54/month in 2026 (indexed to minimum wage, updated each January). From July 2024, the Solidarity Supplement (FPB) tops up pensions to 100% of last salary for eligible Ley 97 workers aged 65+ earning up to MXN 17,364/month (2025 cap; MXN 17,885.85/month in 2026). Workers who contributed before July 1, 1997 (transitional generation) may choose the higher of the old DB formula or the new DC balance at retirement. AFORE management fees capped at 0.7% per year.","officialUrl":"https://www.consar.gob.mx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 875 contribution weeks (2025, increasing by 25 weeks/year to 1,000 weeks by 2031) for Pensión Garantizada under Ley 97; early retirement (cesantía) at age 60 requires same minimum weeks and unemployment. Ley 73 (pre-1997 entrants): 500 weeks minimum. Workers below minimum weeks receive lump-sum AFORE balance only (negativa de pensión).","contributionRateEmployee":"1.125% of salary (retirement/RCV sub-account)","contributionRateEmployer":"9.5% of salary (2025); increasing to 10.5% in 2026, reaching 13.875% by 2030 for the RCV sub-account; plus 5% to INFONAVIT housing sub-account (reverts to retirement if unused)"},{"name":"ISSSTE – Public Sector Pension System","type":"state","description":"Mandatory pension system for federal public-sector employees, reformed to a DC/AFORE model in 2007. Transitional workers (pre-2007 entrants) may choose between the old defined-benefit formula or the new DC balance. Administered by ISSSTE with individual accounts managed by PENSIONISSSTE (the public-sector AFORE) or a private AFORE of the worker's choice. Contribution rates differ slightly from IMSS regime. Workers under the ISSSTE individual accounts regime are also eligible for the FPB Solidarity Supplement from July 2024 if they meet eligibility criteria.","officialUrl":"https://www.issste.gob.mx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Similar to IMSS: minimum weeks requirement increasing to 1,000 by 2031","contributionRateEmployee":"3.5% of salary (ISSSTE total, including health and other benefits)","contributionRateEmployer":"Approximately 13.9% of salary (ISSSTE total, including health and other benefits)"},{"name":"Voluntary AFORE Savings (Ahorro Voluntario – Pillar 3)","type":"private","description":"Workers and employers may make voluntary contributions to AFORE individual accounts above mandatory levels. Four types: (1) Short-term voluntary savings (withdrawable after 2 months); (2) Complementary retirement savings (only at retirement/disability, tax-deductible); (3) Long-term voluntary savings (only at retirement/disability, tax-deductible); (4) Special 'savings for retirement' accounts (withdrawable after 5 years, tax-deferred). Tax deduction limit: MXN 152,000/year or 10% of annual income (whichever is lower) for long-term contributions. Voluntary participation rate remains low at approximately 5% of account holders. Mexicans abroad may contribute through Mexican consulates under the 'Personas Trabajadoras Independientes' scheme.","officialUrl":"https://www.consar.gob.mx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by contribution type: short-term (2 months); long-term (retirement age or disability); special savings (5 years)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary – any amount","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary – any amount (employer voluntary contributions also tax-deductible)"}],"cross_border_notes":["US-Mexico social security totalization agreement was signed in 2004 but remains NOT YET IN FORCE as of mid-2026; US and Mexican contribution periods cannot currently be combined for pension eligibility; US-sourced and Mexican pensions are taxed independently in each country.","Mexico IS a member of the Iberoamerican Social Security Agreement (Convenio Multilateral Iberoamericano de Seguridad Social) covering 22 countries including Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, and others – contribution periods CAN be aggregated under this multilateral agreement.","Bilateral totalization agreements in force with Canada, Spain, and Italy allow aggregation of contribution periods for pension eligibility.","Mexican pensions are payable worldwide via international wire transfer or check through Mexican consulates; no frozen pension policy – pensions are uprated (CPI-adjusted or wage-indexed) regardless of country of residence.","Pensioners abroad MUST present a Certificado de supervivencia (proof of life) TWICE per year at the nearest Mexican consulate (146+ offices in 50+ countries); failure results in automatic pension suspension; service is free.","Mexico extended mandatory AFORE/IMSS coverage to digital platform workers (gig economy – Uber, Rappi, etc.) from June/July 2025, under the Federal Labor Law reform; companies must register workers earning at least the monthly minimum wage with IMSS.","Mexico extended mandatory IMSS coverage to domestic workers in 2022.","Women eligible for the Pensión Mujeres Bienestar (transitional half-benefit of MXN 3,100 bimonthly) from age 60 in 2026 (expanded from age 63 in 2025); benefit terminates at age 65 when full Pensión para el Bienestar (MXN 6,400 bimonthly in 2026) begins. Men remain eligible from age 65.","IMSS services available at 146+ Mexican consular offices worldwide for NSS registration, contribution verification, pension claims, and survival certification under a December 2022 SRE-IMSS agreement; over 16,000 Mexicans in the US enrolled in IMSS through consulates as of late 2025.","Foreigners who worked in Mexico and did not accumulate sufficient weeks for a pension may withdraw their full AFORE and INFONAVIT balance as a lump sum (confirmed by 2020 Mexican federal court ruling; binding precedent in Mexico City jurisdiction).","AFORE assets reached MXN 8.3 trillion (23.8% of GDP) at end-2025, with approximately 70 million individual accounts; average investment yield was 16.8% in 2025 (historical average ~10.7% annually).","President Sheinbaum announced a constitutional reform in February 2026 to cap pensions for former high-level public officials (confidence regime) at 50% of the president's salary; does not affect regular IMSS/ISSSTE/AFORE pensioners.","The US-Mexico income tax treaty (in force since 1994) provides relief from double taxation on pension income; the separate (unratified) totalization agreement for social security contributions remains pending as of mid-2026.","The FPB Solidarity Supplement cap was updated to MXN 17,364/month for 2025 and MXN 17,885.85/month for 2026; eligibility is assessed automatically during pension application – no separate claim required. OECD has raised concerns about long-term FPB financing sustainability.","UMA 2026 daily value: MXN 117.31 (effective February 1, 2026), a +3.69% increase from 2025 (MXN 113.14/day); annual UMA 2026 approximately MXN 42,795. Pension ISR exemption threshold: 15 times daily UMA per day (~MXN 53,493/month from February 2026).","Guaranteed Minimum Pension (PMG) under Ley 73: MXN 9,407.83/month in 2025; MXN 10,636.54/month in 2026 (indexed to minimum wage, updated each January). Pensión Garantizada under Ley 97: approximately MXN 3,289.60/month base in 2026 (indexed to UMA)."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.imss.gob.mx","title":"Find your contribution weeks with IMSS","detail":"Semanas cotizadas — the count of contribution weeks — determines eligibility. IMSS provides this online against your CURP and NSS."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.consar.gob.mx","title":"Locate your AFORE","detail":"Your individual retirement account sits with a private administrator (AFORE). CONSAR regulates them and runs the locator that tells you which one holds your money."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.aforeweb.com.mx/","title":"Get your AFORE account statement","detail":"The statement shows the balance, the contributions, and the housing sub-account (INFONAVIT), which is separate money often forgotten."},{"n":4,"title":"Check which regime applies to you","detail":"Workers who first contributed before 1 July 1997 can generally choose the older, more generous defined-benefit rules. This is one of the most consequential facts in the Mexican system and it turns on a single date."},{"n":5,"url":"https://tspi.imss.gob.mx/","title":"Save both records","detail":"Keep the weeks certificate and the AFORE statement. A claim can be filed through Mi Pensión Digital."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You do not know which AFORE holds your account","whatToDo":"Accounts of workers who never chose an AFORE were assigned to one automatically. CONSAR's locator finds it from your CURP — the money is not lost, only unlabelled."},{"symptom":"Your contribution weeks are fewer than you expected","whatToDo":"Weeks can be missing where an employer under-reported. IMSS has a correction process, and payslips or the employer's records are the evidence."},{"symptom":"You worked in the public sector","whatToDo":"ISSSTE is a separate institute with its own record and rules. Service in both systems can sometimes be combined, but you must ask each one separately."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.imss.gob.mx","portalName":"IMSS / AforeWeb","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your CURP (population registry code) and your NSS (IMSS social security number).","Which AFORE holds your retirement account — if you do not know, CONSAR's locator service will tell you.","Whether you worked in the private sector (IMSS) or the public sector (ISSSTE), which are separate systems."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the IMSS online services accept a user with no Mexican mobile number.","documentNameLocal":"Estado de cuenta AFORE / semanas cotizadas IMSS","documentNameEnglish":"AFORE account statement and IMSS contribution weeks"}},{"country":"Netherlands","country_code":"NL","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"The Netherlands operates one of the world's most comprehensive three-pillar pension systems. The first pillar is the AOW (Algemene Ouderdomswet), a universal flat-rate state pension funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, administered by the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). Entitlement accrues at 2% per year of residency/insurance between age 15 and the state pension age (currently 67), with 50 years required for a full pension. As of January 2026, the full gross monthly AOW is €1,637.57 (single) or €1,122.12 per partner, adjusted twice annually (January and July). The second pillar consists of quasi-mandatory occupational pension funds covering approximately 90% of employees through collective labour agreements and sector-wide funds. The third pillar comprises voluntary individual pension savings products (lijfrente and banksparen) for self-employed persons and those with coverage gaps.\n\nThe Dutch pension system is undergoing its most significant reform in decades under the Wet toekomst pensioenen (WTP / Future Pensions Act), which entered into force on 1 July 2023. All occupational pension schemes must transition from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) models by 1 January 2028. The reform introduces age-independent flat contribution rates, individual pension capital accounts, and two new contract types: the solidarity-based premium scheme (SPR) and the flexible premium scheme (FPR). A major feature of the transition was a one-time pension boost delivered at end-2025/early 2026 to compensate participants in their 40s and 50s who contributed under the old redistributive system. Approximately 9.5 million pension accounts switched to the new system on 1 January 2026, including those managed by major funds ABP, PFZW, PMT, and PME. All remaining funds must comply by 1 January 2028.\n\nThe Netherlands has one of the largest funded pension systems in Europe, with total assets exceeding €1.5 trillion. The AOW state pension is indexed to the statutory minimum wage and adjusted twice annually. Occupational pensions under the new WTP system are adjusted annually based on investment results. The state pension age is linked to life expectancy and set five years in advance; it remains at 67 in 2025–2027 and rises to 67 years and 3 months from 2028. The early retirement scheme (RVU) has been structurally continued from 2026 for workers in physically demanding jobs, allowing retirement up to 3 years before AOW age. The Netherlands has an extensive network of social security agreements covering all EU/EEA countries plus approximately 30 non-EEA bilateral treaty partners.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.svb.nl/en/aow-pension/","name":"SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) — AOW state pension"},{"url":"https://www.mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl","name":"MijnPensioenoverzicht — pension overview portal"},{"url":"https://www.pensioenfederatie.nl","name":"Pensioenfederatie — Dutch Pension Federation"},{"url":"https://www.dnb.nl/en/current-economic-issues/pensions/","name":"De Nederlandsche Bank — pension regulator"},{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl","name":"Belastingdienst — Dutch Tax Administration"},{"url":"https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/aow-pension-abroad","name":"Netherlands Worldwide — AOW abroad (government)"},{"url":"https://business.gov.nl/finance-and-taxes/pensions/the-new-pension-act-this-is-what-it-means-for-you/","name":"Business.gov.nl — New Pension Act (WTP) information"},{"url":"https://business.gov.nl/subsidies-and-schemes/early-retirement-scheme-rvu/","name":"Business.gov.nl — Early Retirement Scheme (RVU)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/nl/statement","last_verified":"2026-06-20","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/nl","system_type":"Bismarckian/Beveridge hybrid","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: AOW (state, flat-rate, PAYG, universal residency-based); Pillar 2: Occupational pension funds (quasi-mandatory, transitioning from DB to DC under WTP by 2028); Pillar 3: Individual pension savings (voluntary, lijfrente and pension savings accounts/banksparen)","replacement_rate_gross":"70%+ (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, average earner, mandatory schemes); net replacement rate ~96% for average earner — highest in OECD","min_qualifying_period":"AOW: 1 year of residency/insurance for partial pension (2% per year; 50 years for full pension); Occupational: immediate vesting upon participation under WTP","min_qualifying_partial":"1 year of AOW insurance (yields 2% of full pension)","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates insurance periods across all EU/EEA member states. Bilateral social security agreements allow aggregation with approximately 30 non-EEA treaty countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, India, Turkey, Morocco, Suriname, South Africa, Switzerland, and others. For AOW, aggregation with foreign credits is not used for old-age pension eligibility (minimum is 1 year Dutch coverage) but may assist with disability/survivor benefits.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA (all member states via EC 883/2004)","United Kingdom","United States","Canada","Australia","New Zealand","Japan","South Korea","India","Turkey","Morocco","Suriname","South Africa","Switzerland","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Kosovo","Montenegro","Serbia","Norway (separate bilateral agreement in addition to EEA)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"National insurance contributions (volksverzekeringen) total 27.65% of income up to €38,883 (2026): 17.9% AOW + 9.65% Wlz (long-term care) + 0.1% ANW (survivor benefits). These are embedded in the first income tax bracket rate of 35.75% (comprising 8.10% income tax + 27.65% national insurance). The second bracket (€38,883–€78,426) is taxed at 37.56% (income tax only). The top rate is 49.50% on income above €78,426. Pensioners above AOW age pay a reduced first-bracket rate of 17.85% as they no longer owe AOW contributions (9.75% national insurance only: Wlz + ANW).","employee_pct":"17.9% AOW contribution (part of 27.65% total national insurance, embedded in 35.75% first income tax bracket on income up to €38,883 in 2026)","employer_pct":"Occupational pension: typically two-thirds of total scheme contribution (varies by fund); no separate AOW employer contribution. Employer employee insurance contributions (werknemersverzekeringen) include AWf unemployment (2.74% permanent / 7.74% flexible), Aof disability (6.26% small / 7.61% large employers), Whk return-to-work (~1.52% average), and Zvw healthcare (6.51% in 2025), all on wages up to €79,409 (2026).","self_employed_pct":"AOW via income tax (same 17.9% rate on income up to €38,883); occupational pension voluntary; Pillar 3 lijfrente products available with tax deduction up to jaarruimte limit"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Must apply within 1 year of leaving the Netherlands (for emigrants); within 10 years of first arriving in the Netherlands (for buy-back by new arrivals)","available":true,"annual_cost":"2026: AOW contribution rate 17.9% of income; minimum €569, maximum €5,693 per year (maximum applies at income ≥ €38,883). Buy-back for new arrivals: minimum €3,762 per year from January 2026.","benefit_per_year":"Each year of voluntary AOW insurance adds 2% of the full AOW pension (approximately €327–€393/year gross at 2026 rates, depending on living situation)","eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary AOW insurance (vrijwillige verzekering): must have been insured in NL for at least 1 full year before departure; apply within 1 year of departure; generally available for up to 10 years (longer if over age 50 at start, or if receiving a Dutch statutory benefit >35% of gross minimum wage). Buy-back available for new arrivals who start living/working in NL within 50 years of AOW age, have been insured at least 5 years, and apply within 10 years of first arrival. Pillar 3 lijfrente products available to all residents and self-employed with a pension gap (jaarruimte)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"AOW: deferral is possible past AOW age — each year of deferral increases the AOW amount by approximately 6.5%. Occupational pension: actuarial increase for deferring past standard retirement age; for tax reasons, occupational pension must commence no later than 5 years after AOW age.","early_reduction":"AOW: no early access available; state pension only payable from AOW age. Occupational pension: actuarial reduction of approximately 7% per year of early retirement (varies by fund). Early retirement scheme (RVU) structurally continued from 2026: allows employees in physically demanding jobs to stop working up to 3 years before AOW age; threshold exemption €2,357 gross/month (basic) or €2,657 gross/month (hardship top-up) in 2026, indexed annually; payments possible through 2031 under transition rules."},"access_options":{"notes":"AOW (state pension): annuity only; cannot be taken as lump sum; paid monthly for life. Occupational pensions (Pillar 2): primarily annuity (lifetime); under WTP, a one-time lump sum of up to 10% of pension capital is a legal right at retirement date for all participants — effective from 1 July 2026 at earliest (pending final Senate approval). Remaining pension after lump sum must not fall below the commutation limit (€632.63 gross/year in 2026). Lump sum cannot be combined with temporary higher pension (high-low) option. Variable pension payments (higher in early retirement, lower later) also permitted under WTP. Pillar 3 (lijfrente): must be converted to annuity income; lump sum generally not permitted for tax-advantaged products. Retirement age for occupational pensions generally aligns with AOW age (67); early retirement possible with actuarial reduction.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"AOW payable worldwide subject to bilateral treaty/BEU Act restrictions; not all countries receive full payment. Emigration does not trigger early access to AOW or occupational pensions. Occupational pension rights preserved on departure; paid at retirement age per fund rules. Non-resident tax: Netherlands generally retains taxing rights on pensions exceeding €15,000/year under many DTAs; treaty relief available. No early withdrawal on departure. Small pensions below commutation limit (€632.63 gross/year in 2026) may be commuted automatically by the pension fund."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"AOW lump sum not available. Occupational pension lump sum (up to 10% of capital under WTP, effective from 1 July 2026 at earliest): taxed as income in year of receipt at applicable Box 1 progressive rates; pensioners above AOW age pay reduced first-bracket rate (~17.85% in 2026). Lump sum cannot be combined with temporary higher pension option.","special_tax_regimes":"30% ruling (kennismigranten): highly skilled migrants may receive 30% of gross salary tax-free for up to 5 years (reducing to 27% from 1 January 2027); this does not exempt pension contributions or benefits from taxation. Partial non-resident status available under 30% ruling (transitional rules apply for those with ruling before 31 December 2023). Qualifying non-residents from EU/EEA/Switzerland paying 90%+ of worldwide income in NL may access same deductions as residents.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; many treaties allocate pension taxation exclusively to country of residence (0% Dutch withholding); Netherlands has ~95 tax treaties in force. Under US-NL treaty, private pensions generally taxable only in country of residence; government pensions may be taxable in Netherlands.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Dutch AOW and occupational pensions are reportable on US tax returns (Form 1040); FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to Dutch pension accounts. US-NL totalization agreement prevents dual social security contributions. US-NL income tax treaty provides relief from double taxation on pension income.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes — government service pensions (ABP) may be taxed in the Netherlands even for non-residents under many DTAs; private/occupational pensions generally taxable only in country of residence under most treaties","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive Box 1 rates (35.75%–49.5% in 2026) apply as withholding on Dutch-source pension income for non-residents, unless reduced by tax treaty. Many Dutch DTAs allocate taxing rights to country of residence; exemption from Dutch withholding available on application to Belastingdienst (form 'Verzoek Vrijstelling inhouding loonbelasting'). Netherlands retains taxing rights on pensions exceeding €15,000/year under many treaties (e.g., US-NL DTA)."},"indexation":{"notes":"AOW is indexed to the statutory minimum wage and adjusted twice annually (January and July). AOW paid abroad is uprated on the same basis as domestic payments, subject to BEU Act restrictions on payment in certain countries. Occupational pensions under WTP: benefits adjusted annually based on investment results and market fluctuations; pension funds have tools to stabilise payouts (solidarity reserve, spreading mechanisms). Under old DB system, indexation was conditional on funding ratio.","method":"AOW: linked to statutory minimum wage (net minimum wage), adjusted biannually. Occupational (WTP DC): investment-return-linked annual adjustment; no guaranteed indexation but funds aim for stable payouts using customised investment policy and solidarity reserves.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"AOW: portable worldwide subject to BEU Act and bilateral treaty provisions; accrued rights preserved on departure and paid at retirement age. Occupational pensions: value transfer (waardeoverdracht) between Dutch funds possible; cross-border transfer to IORP II-compliant institutions in EU/EEA possible under strict conditions; transfers abroad may have tax consequences (conserverende aanslag) and are often inadvisable. EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates periods across EU/EEA. Bilateral agreements with ~30 non-EEA countries allow period aggregation. Pension rights from multiple Dutch funds can be tracked via MijnPensioenoverzicht.nl."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"AOW: If resident in the Netherlands, SVB sends a letter approximately 4 months before AOW age with instructions to apply online (DigiD required). If living abroad in EU/EEA, apply through the pension institution in country of residence 6 months before AOW age. If living outside EU/EEA or in a non-treaty country, contact SVB directly 6 months before AOW age. Occupational pension: apply directly to each pension fund administrator; check MijnPensioenoverzicht.nl for overview of all accrued rights.","advance_timeline":"4 months before AOW age (residents in NL); 6 months before AOW age (residents abroad)","payment_frequency":"Monthly (AOW); SVB transfers around the 23rd of each month; amount typically arrives within 1 business day. Small pensions may be paid quarterly or annually on request. Holiday allowance paid annually in May.","required_documents":["Valid passport or national ID card","Proof of residence / address","Bank account details (IBAN; foreign accounts accepted)","DigiD (for online applications in NL) or EU-approved login key","Residency/insurance history records (annual statements, tax returns, tax assessments)","For occupational pension: Uniform Pensioenoverzicht (UPO) annual statements"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"My SVB (mijn.svb.nl) accessible abroad with DigiD or EU-approved login key. DigiD can be requested from abroad but may take time. MijnPensioenoverzicht.nl shows all Dutch pension entitlements (requires DigiD). SVB International Affairs: +31 (0)71 512 9610.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual proof of life (levensbewijs) required for AOW recipients living abroad, depending on country of residence. Can be submitted via the Digidentity Wallet app (scan QR code from SVB letter, photograph passport and face). Paper form alternative: must be signed and stamped by a competent authority (local authorities, notary public, or SVB office at embassies in Ankara, Madrid, Paramaribo, or Rabat). Living situation questionnaire sent every 3 years for those living alone abroad.","international_contact":{"phone":"SVB Internationale Zaken, +31 (0)71 512 9610"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Dutch (primary); SVB International Affairs provides English-language support","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"AOW (Algemene Ouderdomswet)","type":"state","description":"Universal flat-rate old-age state pension for all residents and workers; accrues at 2% per year of residency/insurance between age 15 and state pension age (50 years for full pension). Funded on PAYG basis. As of January 2026, full gross monthly AOW is €1,637.57 (single) or €1,122.12 per partner; July 2026 rates are €1,662.16 (single gross). Indexed to statutory minimum wage, adjusted twice annually (January and July). Administered by SVB.","officialUrl":"https://www.svb.nl/en/aow-pension/","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"2% per year of residency/insurance between age 15 and state pension age; 50 years for full pension (100%); partial pension payable from 1 year of coverage","contributionRateEmployee":"17.9% of income up to €38,883 (2026), embedded in first income tax bracket (total first-bracket rate 35.75% in 2026, comprising 8.10% income tax + 27.65% national insurance premiums)","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A (funded via employee/resident national insurance contributions and general government funds)"},{"name":"Occupational Pension Funds (Bedrijfstakpensioenfondsen / WTP DC schemes)","type":"occupational","description":"Quasi-mandatory through collective labour agreements; ~90% of employees covered. Transitioning from DB to DC under the Wet toekomst pensioenen (WTP) by 1 January 2028. Approximately 9.5 million accounts switched to the new system on 1 January 2026 (including ABP, PFZW, PMT, PME). New system features age-independent flat contribution rates, individual pension capital accounts, and two contract types: solidarity-based premium scheme (SPR) and flexible premium scheme (FPR). Major sector funds include ABP (government/education) and PFZW (healthcare). Lump sum of up to 10% of pension capital available at retirement as a legal right under WTP (effective from 1 July 2026 at earliest, pending final Senate approval). Commutation limit: €632.63 gross/year in 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.pensioenfederatie.nl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate participation upon employment (entry age lowered to 18 under WTP); all scheme members have vested entitlements including early leavers","contributionRateEmployee":"Typically one-third of total contribution (varies by fund; common splits are 70/30 or 50/50 employer/employee); total contributions typically 20–30% of pensionable salary","contributionRateEmployer":"Typically two-thirds of total contribution; flat age-independent rate under WTP (previously age-graduated scales)"},{"name":"Individual pension products (lijfrente / banksparen)","type":"private","description":"Tax-advantaged individual annuity contracts, pension savings accounts (banksparen), and life insurance products for self-employed persons and those with occupational coverage gaps. Contributions deductible within annual allowance (jaarruimte — up to 30% of pensionable income, maximum ~€35,588 in 2026) and carry-forward reserve (reserveringsruimte — up to €42,753 in 2026 plus current year jaarruimte). Investment growth exempt from Box 3 taxation during accrual; benefits taxed as income on withdrawal.","officialUrl":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"N/A (individual savings product)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; deductible up to annual jaarruimte limit (up to 30% of pensionable income, max ~€35,588 in 2026) based on pension gap","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A"}],"cross_border_notes":["AOW accrual reduced by 2% for each year absent from NL between age 15 and AOW age; voluntary insurance (vrijwillige verzekering) available to mitigate gaps — must apply within 1 year of departure; maximum 10 years (longer if over 50 or receiving Dutch statutory benefit >35% of minimum wage).","AOW payment abroad subject to BEU Act (Export Restrictions on Benefits Act); not all countries receive full payment — check SVB website for country-specific rules. SVB offices at embassies in Ankara, Madrid, Paramaribo, and Rabat.","WTP reform: approximately 9.5 million pension accounts switched to the new DC system on 1 January 2026 (including ABP, PFZW, PMT, PME); all remaining funds must comply by 1 January 2028. A one-time pension boost was paid at end-2025/early 2026 to compensate participants in their 40s and 50s.","Under WTP, lump sum of up to 10% of occupational pension capital is a legal right at retirement for all participants (effective from 1 July 2026 at earliest, pending Senate approval); remaining pension must not fall below commutation limit (€632.63 gross/year in 2026). Lump sum cannot be combined with temporary higher pension option.","Netherlands retains taxing rights on pensions exceeding €15,000/year under many DTAs; non-residents can apply to Belastingdienst for exemption from Dutch withholding if treaty allocates taxation to country of residence.","EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates social security periods across all EU/EEA states; Netherlands also has bilateral social security agreements with ~30 non-EEA countries including US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Morocco, Suriname, South Africa, and Switzerland.","Cross-border transfer of occupational pension to IORP II-compliant institution in EU/EEA possible but subject to strict conditions; transfers abroad often trigger conserverende aanslag and adverse tax consequences — leaving pension in Dutch fund is frequently preferable.","Since 1 January 2024, AOW pension is no longer reduced for non-payment of national insurance contributions (previous 'in default' rule abolished); unpaid contributions remain a debt to the Belastingdienst but no longer affect AOW entitlement.","30% ruling for highly skilled migrants: does not exempt pension contributions or benefits from taxation; tax-free allowance reduces from 30% to 27% from 1 January 2027; partial non-resident status under 30% ruling subject to transitional rules for those with ruling before 31 December 2023.","State pension age linked to life expectancy: 67 in 2025–2027; rising to 67 years 3 months from 2028; set 5 years in advance by Statistics Netherlands life expectancy projections. New coalition government (2026) has proposed accelerating future increases from 2033 onwards.","Early retirement scheme (RVU) structurally continued from 2026 for workers in physically demanding jobs; threshold exemption €2,357 gross/month (basic) or €2,657 gross/month (hardship top-up) in 2026, indexed annually to minimum wage; payments possible through 2031 under transition rules.","Jaarruimte (annual pension savings allowance) for Pillar 3: up to 30% of pensionable income (max ~€35,588 in 2026); reserveringsruimte (carry-forward) up to €42,753 in 2026 plus current year jaarruimte; unused allowance expires after 10 years."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl","title":"Open mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl","detail":"This is the official government-backed aggregator. It shows your AOW (state pension) and every occupational pension registered to your BSN in one place — you do not need to contact each fund separately."},{"n":2,"title":"Log in with DigiD","detail":"Choose 'Inloggen' and authenticate with DigiD. The app is generally more reliable from abroad than SMS, which depends on your number still receiving Dutch texts."},{"n":3,"title":"Read the overview","detail":"You will see a projected gross monthly amount at your AOW age, split between AOW and each occupational scheme, with the pension provider named next to each."},{"n":4,"title":"Download the detail per scheme","detail":"Each occupational entry links to the administering fund. Your actual UPO — the document with accrued and projected figures — is downloaded from that fund's own portal, not from mijnpensioenoverzicht."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.svb.nl","title":"For AOW specifically, use SVB","detail":"The Sociale Verzekeringsbank administers AOW. Your AOW build-up depends on years of Dutch residence (roughly 2% per insured year), so if you lived in the Netherlands only part of your life, expect a partial AOW."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You don't have a DigiD, or it stopped working after you moved abroad","whatToDo":"DigiD can be requested from abroad if you have a BSN; activation codes are posted internationally and take longer. If you are in an EU/EEA country you may also be able to log in with your own country's recognised eID."},{"symptom":"Mijnpensioenoverzicht shows nothing, or misses an employer you remember","whatToDo":"It only shows schemes registered against your BSN. Very old, transferred or bought-out entitlements can be missing. Contact the pension fund for that industry directly — most Dutch sectors have a single mandatory fund."},{"symptom":"Your record is under a former name","whatToDo":"The BSN, not the name, is the key. If a fund cannot find you, quote the BSN together with your date of birth and the exact employment dates."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl","portalName":"Mijnpensioenoverzicht","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your BSN (burgerservicenummer) — the Dutch citizen service number on old payslips, your zorgpas, or any correspondence from the Belastingdienst.","A working DigiD. If you no longer live in the Netherlands you may need DigiD with the app or SMS verification rather than a Dutch address.","The names of your former Dutch employers — mijnpensioenoverzicht shows the funds, but recognising the employer behind each one is easier with a list."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether a non-resident can complete DigiD verification without a Dutch address varies by situation and has changed more than once; check the current DigiD guidance before assuming the online route is open to you.","documentNameLocal":"Uniform Pensioenoverzicht (UPO)","documentNameEnglish":"Uniform Pension Statement"}},{"country":"New Zealand","country_code":"NZ","continent":"oceania","currency":"NZD","retirement_age_early":65,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"New Zealand operates a three-pillar retirement income system. The foundation is New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super), a universal, non-contributory, non-means-tested flat-rate state pension funded from general taxation, available to eligible residents aged 65 and over. NZ Super is internationally recognised for its simplicity and broad coverage: approximately 40% of people aged 65 and over have virtually no other income besides NZ Super. The Retirement Commission's 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies (RRIP) confirmed the eligibility age remains at 65 and made 12 recommendations to improve the system's fairness and sustainability. From 1 April 2026, the single living alone rate is NZD 1,294.74 per fortnight gross (NZD 647.37/week), and each member of a qualifying couple receives NZD 984.28 per fortnight gross. The residence requirement is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years (phased in by birth date from 1 July 2024 to July 2042); as of mid-2026, those turning 65 need 11–12 years of NZ residence since age 20 (including 5 years since age 50).\n\nThe second pillar is KiwiSaver, a voluntary workplace-based defined contribution savings scheme introduced in 2007. As at 31 March 2025, KiwiSaver had approximately 3.39 million members and NZD 123.1 billion in assets; by March 2026, funds under management had grown to NZD 124.5 billion. Budget 2025 introduced significant changes: default employee and employer contribution rates rose from 3% to 3.5% from 1 April 2026, and will rise to 4% from 1 April 2028. The government member tax credit (MTC) was halved from 50 cents to 25 cents per dollar contributed (maximum NZD 260.72/year) from 1 July 2025. From 1 July 2025, 16- and 17-year-olds became eligible for government contributions; from 1 April 2026, employers must contribute for eligible 16- and 17-year-old employees. Auto-enrolment remains at age 18.\n\nThe third pillar consists of private voluntary savings, investments, and legacy occupational superannuation schemes. New Zealand has bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 11 countries, enabling totalization of residence periods for NZ Super eligibility. NZ Super is indexed annually on 1 April to the higher of CPI or average wage growth, and is portable overseas subject to residence-based proportional payment rules (1/45th of the full rate per year of NZ residence between ages 20–65 for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries). A Spain-NZ SSA is under negotiation with text expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/index.html","name":"Work and Income – NZ Super"},{"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/","name":"Work and Income – Main"},{"url":"https://my.msd.govt.nz/","name":"myMSD Portal"},{"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/our-services/about-international-services.html","name":"Work and Income – International Services"},{"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/overseas-travel/nz-super-and-veterans-pension/living-overseas.html","name":"Work and Income – Living Overseas (NZ Super)"},{"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/social-security-agreements/index.html","name":"Work and Income – Social Security Agreements"},{"url":"https://workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/nz-super-and-veterans-pension-residency-changes-2024.html","name":"Work and Income – Residence Changes 2024"},{"url":"https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver-changes","name":"IRD – KiwiSaver Changes"},{"url":"https://myir.ird.govt.nz/","name":"myIR Portal (KiwiSaver/IRD)"},{"url":"https://retirement.govt.nz/","name":"Te Ara Ahunga Ora – Retirement Commission"},{"url":"https://sorted.org.nz/guides/retirement/this-years-nz-super-rates/","name":"Sorted – NZ Super Rates"},{"url":"https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/reports-and-papers/kiwisaver-report/","name":"FMA – KiwiSaver Annual Report 2025"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/nz/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/nz","system_type":"Beveridge/Universal","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0/1: NZ Super (non-contributory, universal, flat-rate, tax-funded). Pillar 2: KiwiSaver (voluntary workplace DC scheme, auto-enrolment with opt-out for eligible employees aged 18–65) + legacy occupational superannuation schemes. Pillar 3: Private voluntary savings, investments, and personal superannuation accounts.","replacement_rate_gross":"~20% (mandatory schemes, average earner; OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025). NZ Super alone represents approximately 40% of gross average earnings for a single person living alone at current rates.","min_qualifying_period":"NZ Super: Residence requirement is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years (phased in by birth date from 1 July 2024). As of mid-2026, those turning 65 need 11 years of NZ residence since age 20 (rising to 12 years from 1 July 2026), eventually reaching 20 years for those born on or after 1 July 1977 (fully phased in by July 2042). Must include at least 5 years since age 50. KiwiSaver: no minimum qualifying period — benefits vest immediately on contribution.","min_qualifying_partial":"NZ Super: proportional payment available overseas based on years of NZ residence between ages 20–65 (1/45th per year; 100% at 45 years) for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries. SSA countries have specific proportional rules. Pacific special portability: 50% of basic rate at 10 years, 100% at 20 years.","aggregation_rules":"Social Security Agreements (SSAs) allow totalization of NZ residence with periods in 11 agreement countries: Australia, Canada, Greece, Denmark, Jersey, Guernsey, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malta, and South Korea. Special portability arrangements exist for 22 Pacific countries (including Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau as NZ Realm countries). Proportional pensions paid based on NZ residence years (1/45th per year between ages 20–65 for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries; 100% at 45 years). For SSA countries, the lesser of the NZ rate or the partner country's maximum rate may apply (e.g., Australia). Spain SSA negotiations ongoing (text expected first half of 2026).","totalization_partners":["Australia","Canada","Greece","Denmark","Jersey","Guernsey","Ireland","Netherlands","United Kingdom","Malta","South Korea"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"KiwiSaver contribution rate increases are phased: 3.5% from 1 April 2026, 4% from 1 April 2028 (Budget 2025). Members may apply for a temporary rate reduction to 3% for 3–12 months (applications open from 1 February 2026). Employer must match the temporary reduced rate if member applies. 16- and 17-year-olds: eligible for government MTC from 1 July 2025; employer contributions required from 1 April 2026. Members earning over NZD 180,000 no longer receive government MTC from 1 July 2025. Government MTC: 25 cents per dollar contributed, maximum NZD 260.72/year (reduced from NZD 521.43 from 1 July 2025); requires minimum NZD 1,042.86 in contributions per year. NZ Super is funded entirely from general taxation — no payroll contributions.","employee_pct":"3.5% (KiwiSaver, from 1 April 2026); 4% from 1 April 2028. Temporary reduction to 3% available on application. NZ Super: nil (tax-funded).","employer_pct":"3.5% (KiwiSaver, from 1 April 2026); 4% from 1 April 2028. Applies to employees aged 16–65. NZ Super: nil.","self_employed_pct":"KiwiSaver: voluntary contributions only (no mandatory rate; no employer match; government MTC available if eligible and NZ-resident). NZ Super: nil."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"KiwiSaver government MTC: contributions must be made between 1 July and 30 June each year; MTC paid in July/August following the contribution year.","available":true,"annual_cost":"KiwiSaver: voluntary lump-sum contributions accepted at any time in addition to regular salary deductions. No fixed annual cost — member chooses contribution amount. To receive maximum government MTC of NZD 260.72, contribute at least NZD 1,042.86/year.","benefit_per_year":"KiwiSaver government MTC: up to NZD 260.72/year (from 1 July 2025; previously NZD 521.43). Employer contributions (for employees): 3.5% currently (from April 2026), rising to 4% from April 2028.","eligibility_conditions":"KiwiSaver voluntary contributions: available to any KiwiSaver member (including overseas residents, self-employed, and those not in paid employment). Government MTC eligibility: must be aged 16–64, live mainly in NZ, and earn NZD 180,000 or less per year (income cap applies from 1 July 2025). NZ Super: no voluntary contributions — universal entitlement based on age and residence."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No financial bonus or actuarial increase for deferring NZ Super beyond age 65. If you apply after turning 65, payments start from the date of application (not backdated to age 65). KiwiSaver: continued contributions after 65 are permitted (employer contributions not mandatory for over-65s, though some employers contribute voluntarily).","early_reduction":"NZ Super is not available before age 65 — no early access option exists. KiwiSaver: early access only under specific hardship, illness, first home, or emigration provisions; no actuarial reduction applies to these withdrawals."},"access_options":{"notes":"NZ Super: paid as a fortnightly income stream only — no lump sum option. KiwiSaver: at age 65 (with 5+ years membership), members may withdraw all or part of their balance as a lump sum, set up regular withdrawals, or leave funds invested. No mandatory annuitisation. Annuity products are available from some private providers but not mandated. KiwiSaver decumulation (drawdown) options are a focus of the 2025 RRIP recommendations, which called for a nationally consistent decumulation framework.","annuity_available":false,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"KiwiSaver: permanent emigration withdrawal available after 1 year overseas (whole balance minus government contributions, which are non-refundable). Trans-Tasman transfer to Australian super fund available (whole balance only; funds then preserved under Australian rules until age 60 retired or 65 unconditional). No NZ exit tax on KiwiSaver withdrawals. Section 70 direct deduction rules apply if receiving an overseas pension similar to NZ Super while also receiving NZ Super in NZ — overseas pension deducted dollar-for-dollar."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"KiwiSaver lump sum withdrawals at age 65: not subject to NZ income tax at withdrawal (contributions were made from after-tax income; fund earnings taxed within the PIE regime at the member's Prescribed Investor Rate). Overseas residents withdrawing KiwiSaver: no NZ exit tax; may be subject to tax in country of residence depending on local rules and DTA.","special_tax_regimes":"KiwiSaver funds are Portfolio Investment Entities (PIEs): fund earnings taxed at the member's Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR: 10.5%, 17.5%, or 28%) within the fund — not at the member's marginal income tax rate. PIE tax is a final tax; no further NZ income tax on fund earnings at withdrawal. Transitional resident exemption: new NZ tax residents may be exempt from NZ tax on most overseas income (including overseas pensions) for 4 years.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA country. NZ has DTAs with ~40 countries. Common reduced NRWT rates: interest 10% (most DTA countries), dividends 15% (fully imputed) or lower under specific DTAs. NZ Super is generally taxable only in NZ (source country) under most DTAs, with residence country providing credit or exemption.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"KiwiSaver is generally treated as a foreign grantor trust for US tax purposes, requiring FBAR (FinCEN 114) and potentially Form 8938 reporting for US persons. No US-NZ totalization agreement exists, so US persons in NZ may face dual social security obligations. NZ Super received by US persons is reportable as foreign pension income on US tax returns. US-NZ DTA (1983) provides some relief but does not cover social security contributions.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"NZ Super is a government pension (Pillar 0/1) funded from general taxation — treated as government pension under DTAs, typically assigned to source country (NZ) for primary taxing rights. KiwiSaver and occupational schemes are private/voluntary — treatment under DTAs varies; generally taxable in country of residence on withdrawal, with NZ PIE tax applying to fund earnings. NZ Super paid overseas: NZ does not withhold NZ tax; recipient may owe tax in residence country depending on DTA.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"NZ Super paid overseas: recipients are treated as non-residents for tax purposes; NZ does not automatically withhold NZ tax on overseas payments (Work and Income sends a tax certificate annually). Recipients may be liable for tax in their country of residence. For KiwiSaver and investment income: NRWT applies at 15% (interest) or 30% (dividends, unfranked) as default rates, reduced under applicable DTAs (typically 10–15%)."},"indexation":{"notes":"NZ Super is indexed annually on 1 April to the higher of CPI or average wage growth (wage-floor guarantee). Indexation applies regardless of whether the recipient lives in NZ or overseas — the payment amount is not frozen at departure. However, the overseas payment amount may be proportionally reduced based on NZ residence history (1/45th per year between ages 20–65 for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries). Recipients in SSA countries are subject to the specific rules of their agreement. Note: the UK SSA (1983) does not provide for payment of NZ Super to Kiwis living in the UK — those recipients receive no NZ Super while in the UK.","method":"Annual adjustment on 1 April to the higher of CPI (Consumer Price Index) or average wage growth. This wage-floor guarantee ensures NZ Super maintains its relativity to average wages over time.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"NZ Super: fully portable to any country; amount depends on NZ residence history (1/45th per year between ages 20–65 for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries; 100% at 45 years of NZ adult residence). Indexation applied regardless of location. After 26 weeks overseas, must apply to International Services for continued payment. SSA countries: totalization available; proportional pensions based on NZ residence. UK exception: 1983 UK-NZ SSA does not provide for NZ Super payment to Kiwis in the UK. Pacific countries: special portability arrangement with 22 Pacific nations (50% of basic rate at 10 years, 100% at 20 years). KiwiSaver: fully portable; balance retained overseas with no restrictions (employer/government contributions cease for overseas residents). Trans-Tasman portability to Australia: whole-balance transfer to Australian super fund available (funds preserved under Australian rules). No double taxation of overseas pensions under DTAs (treaty relief available). Section 70 direct deduction: overseas pensions similar to NZ Super deducted dollar-for-dollar from NZ Super for NZ residents."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"NZ Super (in NZ): Apply online via myMSD up to 12 weeks before turning 65, or at any time after. Requires IRD number, bank account details, and identity/residence documentation. If you apply before or on your 65th birthday, payments start from your birthday; if you apply after, payments start from the date of application. NZ Super (overseas): Cannot apply via myMSD online portal. Must contact Work and Income International Services. Call or email International Services, complete the paper application form, and provide required documents. Email completed application to international_services@msd.govt.nz. International Services assesses eligibility and advises payment amount. KiwiSaver withdrawal at 65: Contact KiwiSaver provider directly; accessible from abroad via provider portal or myIR.","advance_timeline":"Apply at least 6 weeks before departure from NZ for overseas NZ Super. For NZ-based applicants, apply up to 12 weeks before turning 65.","payment_frequency":"Fortnightly (every second Tuesday for NZ-based recipients). Overseas payments: fortnightly into nominated overseas bank account; payment day may vary by country and banking arrangements. Payments made in NZD and converted by recipient's bank; foreign exchange fees may apply.","required_documents":["Valid passport or travel documents (proof of identity)","Proof of overseas bank account (IBAN, SWIFT/BIC code, or equivalent)","Plane ticket or travel itinerary showing departure date from NZ","Proof of overseas residence (lease, rental agreement, utility bill, or accommodation confirmation)","Birth certificate or other proof of identity (if passport not available)","Details of any overseas employment, income, or pensions received","Partner details (if applicable, including proof of relationship)","Tax Identification Number from country of residence (if available)","Certified copies of documents may be required"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"myMSD (Work and Income online portal) is NOT accessible for NZ Super applications from overseas — the online application feature is disabled for non-residents. Overseas residents must contact International Services by phone (+64 4 978 1180) or email (international_services@msd.govt.nz). For KiwiSaver: myIR (Inland Revenue portal) is accessible from abroad — KiwiSaver is administered by Inland Revenue, not MSD.","proof_of_life_notes":"Life certificates (client declarations) are sent periodically to overseas NZ Super recipients. Recipients must complete and return the certificate within 4 weeks or payments may be suspended. Overseas recipients should maintain current contact details with MSD. Non-response results in payment suspension, which can be restored once the certificate is returned. Work and Income sends a tax certificate annually (in April) to overseas recipients showing payments made during the previous financial year.","international_contact":{"email":"international_services@msd.govt.nz","hours":"Standard business hours (no 24-hour line; email preferred for overseas enquiries)","phone":"+64 4 978 1180 (for calling from overseas)","postal_address":"PO Box 27-178, Wellington, New Zealand"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"English","portal_accessible_abroad":false},"schemes":[{"name":"New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super)","type":"public","description":"Universal, non-contributory, non-means-tested flat-rate state pension funded from general taxation. Eligibility age is 65 (no change legislated; the government has committed to keeping it at 65). Rates from 1 April 2026: single living alone NZD 647.37/week gross (NZD 1,294.74/fortnight); single sharing NZD 595.57/week gross; each member of a qualifying couple NZD 492.14/week gross (NZD 984.28/fortnight each). After-tax (M code) single living alone: NZD 1,110.30/fortnight; couple combined: NZD 1,708.16/fortnight. Indexed annually on 1 April to the higher of CPI or average wage growth. Residence requirement is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years (for those turning 65 from 1 July 2024), phased in by birth date until July 2042; as of mid-2026, those turning 65 need 11 years (rising to 12 from 1 July 2026); at least 5 of the qualifying years must be after age 50. Not income- or asset-tested. Overseas pension direct deduction (Section 70) applies: overseas pensions similar to NZ Super are deducted dollar-for-dollar. Portability: payable overseas; amount proportional to NZ residence years between ages 20–65 (1/45th per year for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries; 100% at 45 years). Payments stop after 26 weeks overseas unless overseas application approved. Life certificates required periodically for overseas recipients.","officialUrl":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/index.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Residence requirement gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years based on date of birth (for those turning 65 from 1 July 2024 onwards). As of mid-2026, those turning 65 need 11 years (rising to 12 from 1 July 2026), eventually reaching 20 years for those born on or after 1 July 1977 (fully phased in by July 2042). Must include at least 5 years of NZ residence since age 50. Years need not be consecutive. Time in Social Security Agreement countries or NZ Realm countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) may count toward the requirement.","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"KiwiSaver","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary workplace-based defined contribution savings scheme established in 2007. Auto-enrolment applies to eligible new employees aged 18–65 (opt-out window: days 14–56 of employment). As at 31 March 2025: ~3.39 million members, NZD 123.1 billion in assets; by March 2026, FUM grew to NZD 124.5 billion. Budget 2025 changes: (1) Default employee and employer contribution rates rose from 3% to 3.5% from 1 April 2026, then to 4% from 1 April 2028. Members may apply for a temporary rate reduction back to 3% for 3–12 months (applications open from 1 February 2026; employer may match). (2) Government member tax credit (MTC) halved from 50c to 25c per dollar contributed from 1 July 2025; maximum annual government contribution reduced from NZD 521.43 to NZD 260.72; members must contribute at least NZD 1,042.86/year to receive the full MTC. (3) Members earning over NZD 180,000 no longer eligible for government contributions from 1 July 2025. (4) 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for government contributions from 1 July 2025; employer contributions required for 16- and 17-year-olds from 1 April 2026 (auto-enrolment still begins at age 18). Trans-Tasman portability: whole-balance transfer to Australian super funds available (funds preserved until age 60 retired or 65 unconditional). Major providers include ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Fisher Funds, Generate, Booster, Simplicity, Milford, Kernel, Superlife.","officialUrl":"https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Contributions vest immediately. Benefits locked in until age 65 (NZ Super eligibility age), or earlier under specific circumstances: first home purchase (3+ years membership), serious illness, life-shortening congenital condition, significant financial hardship, permanent emigration (after 1 year overseas), or death. Government contributions are non-withdrawable on emigration.","contributionRateEmployee":"3.5% (from 1 April 2026); 4% from 1 April 2028. Members may also choose 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10%. Temporary reduction to 3% available on application to IRD for 3–12 months.","contributionRateEmployer":"3.5% (from 1 April 2026); 4% from 1 April 2028. Employer may match temporary rate reduction to 3%. Applies to employees aged 16–65 (employer contributions for 16- and 17-year-olds mandatory from 1 April 2026)."},{"name":"Occupational Superannuation Schemes","type":"occupational","description":"Legacy employer-sponsored defined benefit or defined contribution schemes, largely superseded by KiwiSaver post-2007. Some large employers and professional groups (e.g., teachers, public sector, universities) maintain separate complying superannuation funds. These can be structured as KiwiSaver-complying funds (subject to same locked-in rules) or non-KiwiSaver schemes. Regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. Balances may be transferable to KiwiSaver under certain conditions.","officialUrl":"https://www.fma.govt.nz/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by scheme; typically immediate vesting on contribution or after a qualifying period specified in the trust deed.","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["New Zealand has bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 11 countries: Australia, Canada, Greece, Denmark, Jersey, Guernsey, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malta, and South Korea. These agreements enable totalization of residence periods for NZ Super eligibility and may allow proportional pensions.","NZ Super paid overseas: NZ does not automatically withhold NZ income tax on overseas payments. Work and Income issues an annual tax certificate. Recipients may be liable for tax in their country of residence — check applicable DTA and local tax rules.","Section 70 direct deduction policy: overseas pensions 'similar' to NZ Super (e.g., contributory age pensions) are deducted dollar-for-dollar from NZ Super for NZ residents. This is a significant cross-border issue, particularly for recipients of UK, Australian, Dutch, and Irish pensions.","UK exception: The 1983 NZ-UK Social Security Agreement does not provide for payment of NZ Super to Kiwis living in the UK. New Zealanders retiring to the UK receive no NZ Super under this agreement (but may qualify for UK State Pension based on NZ residence under totalization).","KiwiSaver Trans-Tasman portability: members can transfer their entire KiwiSaver balance to an Australian superannuation fund (whole balance only, no partial transfers). Transferred funds are then subject to Australian preservation rules (accessible from age 60 if retired, or age 65 unconditionally). Government contributions are non-transferable.","No US-NZ totalization agreement exists. US persons living and working in NZ may face dual social security obligations. KiwiSaver is generally treated as a foreign grantor trust for US tax purposes, requiring FBAR and potentially Form 8938 reporting.","NZ Super residence requirement is gradually increasing from 10 years to 20 years (phased in by birth date from 1 July 2024 to July 2042). As of mid-2026, those turning 65 need 11 years (rising to 12 from 1 July 2026). This affects future retirees and cross-border planning for those who have split their lives between NZ and other countries.","Spain-NZ Social Security Agreement: negotiations underway; text expected to be completed in the first half of 2026. Not yet in force.","NZ Super portability for non-SSA, non-Pacific countries: payment is proportional to NZ residence years between ages 20–65 (1/45th per year). A person with 45 years NZ residence receives 100%; 30 years receives 30/45ths (~67%); minimum 10–11 years receives 10–11/45ths (~22–24%).","Special portability arrangement with 22 Pacific countries: eligible recipients who have lived in NZ for the qualifying period (including 5 years after age 50) and retire to a Pacific country receive 50% of the basic rate at 10 years of NZ residence, rising to 100% at 20 years."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Separate NZ Super from KiwiSaver","detail":"NZ Super is a flat government payment based on residence, with no account or balance behind it. KiwiSaver is your own savings account. People who worked in New Zealand and left are usually looking for KiwiSaver."},{"n":2,"title":"Check your KiwiSaver balance with your provider","detail":"If you do not know your provider, Inland Revenue can tell you which scheme your contributions went to."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/index.html","title":"Work out your NZ residence years","detail":"NZ Super requires residence in New Zealand for a set number of years after age 20, including some after age 50. The threshold has been rising for people born after mid-1959, so check the rule for your birth year rather than the headline number."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/our-services/about-international-services.html","title":"Contact International Services if you are abroad","detail":"Work and Income's International Services team handles entitlements for people outside New Zealand, including payment under social security agreements."},{"n":5,"url":"https://my.msd.govt.nz/","title":"Keep the records","detail":"Save your KiwiSaver statement and any written confirmation of your residence years."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have left New Zealand permanently and want your KiwiSaver","whatToDo":"A permanent-emigration withdrawal is possible after a qualifying period abroad, with different rules if you moved to Australia — in that case the balance can usually be transferred to an Australian super fund instead of withdrawn."},{"symptom":"You do not know who holds your KiwiSaver","whatToDo":"Members who never chose a scheme were allocated to a default provider. Inland Revenue can identify it from your IRD number."},{"symptom":"You are unsure whether your overseas years count for NZ Super","whatToDo":"Time in a country with a social security agreement can count toward the residence requirement, and NZ Super is also subject to direct deduction rules where you receive an overseas pension. International Services is the authority on both."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/index.html","portalName":"Work and Income / myMSD","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your IRD number.","The name of your KiwiSaver provider, if you had one — it is your own account with a balance, quite separate from NZ Super.","The years you lived in New Zealand after age 20, and how many after 50. NZ Super is residence-based, so these counts are what decides entitlement."],"couldNotVerify":"The current NZ Super residence requirement for each birth-year cohort, which is on a legislated upward schedule.","documentNameLocal":"KiwiSaver statement / NZ Super entitlement","documentNameEnglish":"KiwiSaver statement and NZ Super record"}},{"country":"Norway","country_code":"NO","continent":"europe","currency":"NOK","retirement_age_early":62,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":75,"pension_system_summary":"Norway operates a comprehensive three-pillar pension system fundamentally reformed in 2011. The first pillar is the Folketrygd (National Insurance Scheme), a mandatory universal PAYG system using a Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) model for those born after 1962, with pension rights accumulated based on lifetime earnings between ages 13 and 75 and annuitized at retirement using life-expectancy divisors. A guarantee pension provides a minimum floor (33% of gross average wage) for those with insufficient earnings-related pension, requiring at least 5 years of residency/coverage and 40 years for the full guarantee pension. The NDC scheme is fully effective for cohorts born in 1963 or later, with transitional rules for earlier cohorts. The basic amount (G) as of 1 May 2026 is NOK 136,549, up 4.91% from 2025.\n\nThe second pillar is the mandatory occupational pension (OTP – Obligatorisk Tjenestepensjon), requiring all private-sector employers to contribute at least 2% of salary (up to 12G) into individual pension accounts. Defined contribution plans dominate (~90% of private sector), with defined benefit and hybrid schemes also permitted. The public sector has its own occupational schemes (SPK, KLP) and a reformed AFP contractual pension for those born from 1963 — a new lifelong AFP modelled on the private sector scheme entered into force from the 2025 income year. The third pillar is voluntary individual pension savings (IPS), offering tax-deductible contributions up to NOK 15,000/year in 2025 (rising to NOK 25,000 in 2026), with funds locked until age 62 and paid out over at least 10 years.\n\nFlexible retirement is available between ages 62 and 75 with actuarially neutral adjustments. A major 2024 parliamentary agreement is legislating a two-thirds link between the statutory retirement age and life expectancy, introducing a 'Standard Retirement Age' that will gradually rise by approximately one month per birth cohort starting with those born in 1964; legislation is still being finalized as of mid-2026. From 1 January 2026, the mandatory upper retirement age across all sectors (state, municipal, private) is unified at 72 years. Norway has extensive international social security coordination through EEA Regulation 883/2004 and bilateral agreements with over 20 countries, including a new agreement with Japan that entered into force in March 2025. Pensions are payable worldwide and uprated annually for all recipients.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.nav.no/alderspensjon/en","name":"NAV – Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (Retirement Pension)"},{"url":"https://www.nav.no/bosatt-utland-pensjon/en","name":"NAV – Applying for pension from abroad"},{"url":"https://www.nav.no","name":"Din Pensjon (Pension Overview Portal)"},{"url":"https://www.norskpensjon.no","name":"Norsk Pensjon (Occupational Pension Overview)"},{"url":"https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/taxes/get-the-taxes-right/employment-benefits-and-pensions/pension-and-disability-benefit/withholding-tax-on-pensions-and-disability-benefits/","name":"Skatteetaten – Norwegian Tax Administration (Withholding Tax on Pensions)"},{"url":"https://www.finanstilsynet.no","name":"Finanstilsynet – Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway"},{"url":"https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/pensions-and-welfare/innsikt/international-cooperation-on-labour-and-welfare-policy/coordination-of-social-security-schemes/id489267/","name":"Regjeringen – Coordination of Social Security Schemes"},{"url":"https://www.nav.no/leveattest/en","name":"NAV – Life Certificate (Livsattest) for Pensioners Abroad"},{"url":"https://www.spk.no/en/","name":"Statens pensjonskasse (SPK) – Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund"},{"url":"https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/taxes/get-the-taxes-right/employment-benefits-and-pensions/pension-and-disability-benefit/a-new-scheme-concerning-tax-favourable-individual-pension-saving/","name":"Skatteetaten – IPS Individual Pension Savings Scheme"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/no/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/no","system_type":"NDC (Notional Defined Contribution) PAYG + mandatory occupational DC + voluntary private","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Folketrygd (NDC, PAYG); Pillar 2: OTP occupational pension (mandatory DC, min 2%) + AFP contractual pension; Pillar 3: IPS individual savings (voluntary)","replacement_rate_gross":"~51% for average earner at normal retirement age (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025, mandatory schemes); guarantee pension tops up to 33% of gross average wage","min_qualifying_period":"National Insurance: 5 years of residency/coverage between ages 16–66 for any guarantee pension; 40 years for full guarantee pension. OTP: immediate participation upon employment meeting thresholds (income above NOK 2,000; age 13+).","min_qualifying_partial":"5 years for partial guarantee pension (proportionally reduced for periods under 40 years)","aggregation_rules":"EEA Regulation 883/2004 coordinates periods across all EEA/EFTA states; bilateral agreements with 20+ countries allow aggregation of periods; proportional benefit calculation applies. Nordic Social Security Convention provides special coordination for Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Svalbard.","totalization_partners":["EEA (all 27 EU member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein)","United Kingdom","Australia","Austria","Bosnia-Herzegovina","Canada","Quebec","Chile","Croatia","France","Greece","India","Israel","Italy","Japan","Luxembourg","Montenegro","Netherlands","Portugal","Serbia","Slovenia","South Korea","Switzerland","Turkey","United States"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employee rate applies to personal income aged 17–69. Pensioners pay reduced NI contribution of 5.1% on pension income. Individuals under 17 or over 69 also pay 5.1%. The temporary additional 5% employer surcharge on income above NOK 850,000 was abolished from 1 January 2025. Employer rate is geographically differentiated by zone (0% in Finnmark/Northern Troms). Income not exceeding NOK 99,650 is exempt from NI contributions.","employee_pct":"7.7% (2025); 7.6% (2026)","employer_pct":"14.1% (standard; regionally differentiated 0–14.1%)","self_employed_pct":"11.0% (2025–2026; some sources cite 10.8% for net business income)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"IPS contributions must be made before 31 December of the income year to qualify for tax deduction","available":true,"annual_cost":"IPS: up to NOK 15,000/year (2025); NOK 25,000/year (2026). Voluntary National Insurance membership: contributions at standard rates.","benefit_per_year":"IPS: tax deduction at 22% rate (NOK 3,300 saving on NOK 15,000 contribution in 2025; NOK 5,500 saving on NOK 25,000 contribution from 2026); returns tax-deferred; IPS savings exempt from wealth tax; withdrawals taxed as ordinary income","eligibility_conditions":"IPS: open to any individual resident in Norway; funds locked until age 62. Voluntary National Insurance membership available for those abroad who have been members for at least 3 years and have a sufficient connection to Norwegian society (e.g., 30+ years prior membership for some categories)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Same actuarial mechanism — deferring beyond age 67 increases annual pension (~5–6% per year of deferral, depending on cohort). Pension rights continue to accrue on earned income up to age 75.","early_reduction":"Actuarially adjusted via life-expectancy divisor: accumulated pension capital divided by remaining life expectancy at claiming age — earlier claiming produces a lower annual pension. No fixed percentage; depends on cohort life tables updated annually. The proposed 'hardship scheme' supplement (approx. 4% of gross average earnings) for those retiring at 62 is still being legislated as of mid-2026."},"access_options":{"notes":"Folketrygd (National Insurance): flexible monthly pension drawable at 20, 40, 50, 60, 80 or 100% from age 62–75 (if sufficient entitlements). Can combine pension with continued work without earnings penalty. OTP (DC): paid out over minimum 10 years from retirement age. AFP (private sector): lifelong supplement from age 62, combinable with work. AFP (public sector, born 1963+): lifelong supplement drawable from age 62 to 70, combinable with work. IPS: annual annuity over minimum 10 years from age 62 (until at least age 80). Lump-sum withdrawal of National Insurance pension is not available. Small OTP balances may be paid as lump sum per scheme rules.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"National Insurance pension payable worldwide; income pension portable without restriction; guarantee pension requires 20 years of NI coverage to export in full. EU/EEA portability applies under Regulation 883/2004. Non-resident withholding tax: 15% (standard; DTA may reduce or eliminate). Norway retains taxing rights on government/public sector pensions. Occupational pensions payable abroad per scheme rules."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump sum not available for National Insurance pension. OTP DC balances may be paid as lump sum if small amount per scheme rules. IPS paid as annuity only.","special_tax_regimes":"Pensioners pay reduced NI contribution of 5.1% on pension income (vs 7.6% for employees in 2026). Tax deduction for pension income up to NOK 36,000 (2025; phased out above NOK 276,400 and eliminated at NOK 615,100+); 2026 threshold for phase-out is NOK 284,950. EU/EEA residents with 90%+ of income taxable in Norway may claim personal deductions. IPS savings exempt from wealth tax while invested.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty and pension type; many treaties exempt private pensions from Norwegian tax (e.g., Australia, Croatia, Ireland, Spain); some treaties (e.g., Germany, Canada, Argentina) retain full Norwegian taxing rights. Government/public sector pensions generally taxable in Norway regardless of treaty. Apply to Skatteetaten for exemption card or reduced rate card.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"FBAR required if Norwegian accounts exceed USD 10,000. US-Norway Income Tax Treaty (1971, updated 1980) in force; private pensions generally exempt from Norwegian withholding under treaty; US citizens must report worldwide income including Norwegian pension. Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) available to offset Norwegian taxes.","govt_vs_private_distinction":true,"nonresident_withholding_pct":"15%"},"indexation":{"notes":"Indexation applies equally to pensioners living abroad and in Norway. The guarantee pension level has kept pace with wages over the past two decades.","method":"Pension entitlements during accumulation indexed to wage growth (basic amount G, adjusted annually on 1 May). Pensions in payment indexed to average of wage and price growth (approximately wage growth minus 0.75% per year in practice). Basic amount (G) as of 1 May 2026: NOK 136,549 (up 4.91% from 2025). Pensions in payment increased by 4.69% from 1 May 2026. AFP pensions also indexed to wage growth minus 0.75%.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EEA Regulation 883/2004 coordinates periods across all EEA/EFTA states; periods in other EEA countries count toward Norwegian pension rights. Bilateral agreements with 20+ countries extend coverage. UK covered by EEA/EFTA-UK Social Security Agreement (in force 1 January 2024). Japan-Norway social security agreement entered into force March 2025. OTP DC pension capital certificates (pensjonskapitalbevis) follow the individual and can be consolidated in own pension account. AFP is not covered by EEA social security coordination. No transfer of accumulated NDC notional capital to foreign systems."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply through NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) online at nav.no using BankID/Buypass/Commfides, or by post if unable to log in. Applications for pension from abroad can be submitted to NAV directly or via the pension authority in the country of residence (for EEA/agreement countries). Processing time up to 6 months for international cases. Back-payment from date of application. Pension paid monthly to Norwegian or foreign bank account (foreign payments arrive 1–2 days later than domestic). NAV generally pays to a Norwegian bank account as the simplest and fastest method; foreign bank accounts are accepted if no Norwegian account is held.","advance_timeline":"Apply well in advance of desired retirement date; NAV recommends applying several months ahead. No fixed statutory advance notice period, but processing can take up to 6 months for international cases.","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Valid passport or national ID card","Work and residency history in Norway","Norwegian bank account details (or foreign bank account details)","BankID, Buypass or Commfides for online portal access","Certificate of residence (for treaty relief on withholding tax)","Life certificate (livsattest) if required — sent annually to non-EEA residents over age 80"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"nav.no and Din Pensjon accessible abroad with BankID, Buypass or Commfides. MinID also accepted with some access restrictions. Norskpensjon.no provides overview of all pension entitlements including occupational pensions (login with BankID).","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual life certificate (livsattest) required for pension recipients over age 80 living in countries outside the EEA. Certificates sent in early April; deadline for submission is 3 June 2025 (2025 cycle). Can be received digitally if registered in Norwegian Contact and Reservation Register (notified by email/SMS); otherwise by post. Must be submitted by regular letter mail (no courier/registered post). Failure to submit results in payment suspension after one reminder.","international_contact":{"phone":"NAV International, +47 21 07 37 00"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Norwegian (official); English available for international/NAV International contacts","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Folketrygd (National Insurance – Income Pension)","type":"state","description":"NDC system: pension rights accumulated at 18.1% of annual income up to 7.1G (approx. 125% of average wage), credited to notional accounts indexed to wage growth. Annuitized at retirement using life-expectancy divisors. Fully effective for cohorts born 1963 or later; transitional rules for 1954–1962 cohorts. Pension can be drawn at 20, 40, 50, 60, 80 or 100% from age 62–75. Basic amount (G) as of 1 May 2026: NOK 136,549.","officialUrl":"https://www.nav.no/alderspensjon/en","vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"5 years of residency/coverage (age 16–66) for minimum guarantee pension; 40 years for full guarantee pension","contributionRateEmployee":"7.7% (2025); 7.6% (2026) of personal income","contributionRateEmployer":"14.1% of gross salary (standard rate; regionally differentiated 0–14.1%)"},{"name":"OTP (Obligatorisk Tjenestepensjon – Mandatory Occupational Pension)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory employer-sponsored scheme for private sector. Minimum 2% DC contribution on salary from first krone up to 12G (from 1 January 2022, contributions calculated from first krone; minimum age for enrollment is 13). Employer contribution ceilings: 7% of wage between 0–7.1G; 18.1% of wage between 7.1G–12G. DC plans dominate (~90%); DB and hybrid schemes also permitted. Employee contributions optional. Own pension account (introduced 2021) consolidates DC rights across employers.","officialUrl":"https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/business-and-organisation/employer/otp---mandatory-occupational-pension-scheme/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Generally immediate vesting; pension capital certificates issued on leaving employer","contributionRateEmployee":"Optional (not mandatory)","contributionRateEmployer":"Minimum 2% of salary (0–12G); ceiling 7% (0–7.1G) and 18.1% (7.1–12G)"},{"name":"AFP (Avtalefestet Pensjon – Contractual Early Retirement Pension)","type":"occupational","description":"Collectively agreed supplement. Private sector AFP (post-2011): lifelong supplement to NDC pension, earned on income up to 7.1G between ages 13–61 (0.314% per year), drawable from age 62, actuarially adjusted, combinable with work. Public sector AFP (born 1963+): new lifelong scheme modelled on private sector, in force from 2025 income year, calculated at 4.21% of pensionable income up to 7.1G between ages 13–61, drawable from age 62 to 70 alongside work. Public sector AFP for those born before 1963 remains a fixed-term early retirement scheme (age 62–67). Requires 7 of last 9 years in AFP-covered employment before age 62.","officialUrl":"https://www.nav.no/alderspensjon/en","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"7 out of 9 years in AFP-covered employment before age 62","contributionRateEmployee":"N/A (collectively funded)","contributionRateEmployer":"Collectively funded via tariff agreements"},{"name":"Individual Pension Savings (IPS – Individuell Pensjonssparing)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual pension savings with tax-deductible contributions. Annual limit NOK 15,000 (2025), increased to NOK 25,000 (2026). Returns grow tax-deferred; IPS savings exempt from wealth tax while invested. Withdrawals taxed as ordinary income at 22%. Funds locked until age 62; paid out over minimum 10 years (until at least age 80). Available through banks and insurance companies. If annual payment is below 20% of G, payment period may be shortened.","officialUrl":"https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/taxes/get-the-taxes-right/employment-benefits-and-pensions/pension-and-disability-benefit/a-new-scheme-concerning-tax-favourable-individual-pension-saving/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"N/A (individual savings; locked until age 62)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary, up to NOK 15,000/year (2025); NOK 25,000/year (2026)","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A"}],"cross_border_notes":["Following a 2024 parliamentary agreement, Norway is legislating a two-thirds link between the statutory retirement age and life expectancy; the 'Standard Retirement Age' will gradually increase by ~1 month per birth cohort starting with those born in 1964. Legislation is still being finalized as of mid-2026.","The NDC scheme is fully effective for cohorts born in 1963 or later; transitional mixed old/new rules apply for cohorts born 1954–1962.","A new lifelong AFP for public sector employees born in 1963 or later entered into force from the 2025 income year, modelled on the private sector AFP scheme (4.21% accrual rate on income up to 7.1G between ages 13–61, drawable from age 62).","AFP contractual pension is NOT covered by EEA social security coordination (Regulation 883/2004) or bilateral agreements — recipients lose some EEA health service rights.","Guarantee pension requires 20 years of NI coverage to be fully exportable abroad; income pension is portable without restriction.","Nordic Social Security Convention provides special coordination for Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Svalbard.","UK covered by EEA/EFTA-UK Social Security Agreement in force from 1 January 2024, replacing the bilateral Norway-UK agreement (except for Jersey and Isle of Man).","Japan-Norway social security agreement entered into force March 2025.","Norway-South Korea social security agreement entered into force 1 June 2024.","IPS annual tax-deductible limit increased from NOK 15,000 (2025) to NOK 25,000 (2026); tax saving at 22% rate is NOK 5,500 on maximum contribution from 2026.","The temporary additional 5% employer NI surcharge on salaries above NOK 850,000 was abolished from 1 January 2025; standard employer rate is 14.1% with no cap.","Employee NI contribution rate reduced to 7.6% in 2026 (from 7.7% in 2025).","From 1 January 2026, mandatory upper retirement age unified at 72 years across state, municipal and private sectors; new agreements with retirement ages below 72 are unlawful unless serious health and safety reasons apply.","Basic amount (G) increased to NOK 136,549 from 1 May 2026 (up 4.91% from NOK 130,160 in 2025); pensions in payment increased by 4.69% from 1 May 2026.","Flexible retirement age 62–75 with actuarial adjustment allows combining work and pension drawing across borders without earnings penalty.","32% of new pensioners claimed pensions below age 65 in the first half of 2025 (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025), reflecting strong uptake of early flexible retirement.","Statutory retirement age projected to reach 69 years by 2070 under UN longevity projections (OECD 2025)."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.nav.no/bosatt-utland-pensjon/en","title":"Open NAV's retirement pension pages","detail":"NAV administers the Norwegian state pension. It publishes a dedicated section for people applying from abroad, which is the right starting point if you have left."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.nav.no","title":"Sign in to Din Pensjon","detail":"Din Pensjon shows your accumulated pension earnings and lets you model claiming ages. Norway allows flexible drawing from 62, subject to a minimum level."},{"n":3,"title":"Read your earnings record","detail":"Since the 2011 reform, earnings build a pension balance. Older years use the previous points system, and both can appear."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.norskpensjon.no","title":"Check occupational pensions separately","detail":"Norsk Pensjon aggregates private and occupational schemes. Almost every Norwegian employee has an occupational pension in addition to NAV's."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/person/taxes/get-the-taxes-right/employment-benefits-and-pensions/pension-and-disability-benefit/withholding-tax-on-pensions-and-disability-benefits/","title":"Save both records","detail":"Keep the NAV record and the Norsk Pensjon overview. Norway withholds tax on pensions paid abroad, so also read Skatteetaten's guidance before you claim."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"Your BankID stopped working when you left Norway","whatToDo":"NAV accepts applications and enquiries by post from people who cannot log in, and its international pension unit handles cases from abroad. Say clearly in writing that you have no Norwegian electronic ID."},{"symptom":"You only had a D-number as a temporary worker","whatToDo":"D-numbers still carry pension earnings. Give NAV the D-number and your employer's details; earnings recorded under it are not lost."},{"symptom":"Norsk Pensjon shows nothing","whatToDo":"It only covers connected providers and needs Norwegian electronic ID. Ask your former employer which pension company they used and contact that company directly."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.nav.no/alderspensjon/en","portalName":"NAV — Din Pensjon","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Norwegian national identity number (fødselsnummer) or D-number if you were a temporary worker.","BankID, Buypass or Commfides. Norwegian electronic ID is difficult to keep after leaving, and this is the main obstacle.","The years you lived in Norway, not only worked — the guarantee pension depends on residence."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether NAV currently accepts any foreign eID for Din Pensjon.","documentNameLocal":"Pensjonsopptjening (Din Pensjon)","documentNameEnglish":"Pension earnings record"}},{"country":"Oman","country_code":"OM","continent":"asia","currency":"OMR","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"Oman operates a unified social protection system through the Social Protection Fund (SPF), established under Royal Decree No. 52/2023 (Social Protection Law) and effective from 1 January 2024. The SPF consolidated 11 previously fragmented pension funds and social insurance schemes into a single entity, covering old-age, disability, death, work injuries, employment security, maternity, and sick leave insurance for Omani nationals. The pension formula under the new law is 2% × average future value of wages × years of service (post-2024), with a separate formula for pre-2024 service (2% × last salary revalued to date of entitlement × prior service period). A non-contributory Old Age Benefit of OMR 115/month is paid to all Omani residents aged 60+, regardless of contribution history, subject to an income test (benefit reduced if income exceeds OMR 1,020/month; no benefit if income is OMR 1,250/month or more).\n\nForeign (non-Omani) workers are progressively being integrated into the SPF framework. Maternity leave insurance has applied to all workers since July 2024. Sick and other leave insurance became mandatory for non-Omani employees from July 19, 2026 (SPF Decision No. 13/2026), with a 1% employer contribution. Work injury insurance for non-Omanis is scheduled for July 2028. A mandatory Provident Scheme (savings fund) replacing end-of-service gratuity for expatriates is deferred to July 19, 2027, with employers contributing 9% of basic monthly wage. Until then, expatriates receive end-of-service gratuity under the Labour Law. The SPF also administers non-contributory benefits including Child Benefit (OMR 10/month), Disability Benefit (OMR 130/month), Orphans and Widows Benefit, and Family Income Support.\n\nA landmark Personal Income Tax Law (Royal Decree No. 56/2025) was enacted on 22 June 2025 and published in Official Gazette No. 1602 on 30 June 2025, effective 1 January 2028 — making Oman the first GCC country to introduce personal income tax. The law imposes a 5% flat tax on annual income exceeding OMR 42,000 (approximately USD 109,000). Pensions and end-of-service benefits are included in taxable gross income; pension funds are treated as employers for withholding purposes. Contributions to mandatory or voluntary retirement/end-of-service schemes (up to two schemes) are deductible from taxable income. The standard retirement age is set to gradually increase from 60 (men) and 55 (women) to 65 and 60 respectively, at a rate of one year every seven years from 2024.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.spf.gov.om","name":"Social Protection Fund (SPF) — Official Website"},{"url":"https://eservices.spf.gov.om","name":"SPF E-Services Portal (Pension Claims & Account Management)"},{"url":"https://gov.om/en/social-protection-fund","name":"Oman Government Portal — Social Insurance and Pension"},{"url":"https://tms.taxoman.gov.om","name":"Oman Tax Authority — Personal Income Tax (from 2028)"},{"url":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/insurance-for-the-old-age-disability-and-death/","name":"SPF — Old Age, Disability and Death Insurance Program"},{"url":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/provident-scheme/","name":"SPF — Provident Scheme"},{"url":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/extension-insurance-protection/","name":"SPF — Extension Insurance Protection (GCC)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/om/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/om","system_type":"Unified Social Protection Fund (SPF) — defined-benefit social insurance for Omani nationals; fixed-contribution Provident Scheme for expatriates (from July 2027); non-contributory social protection benefits for all eligible Omani residents","pillar_structure":"Two-pillar system: Pillar 1 — SPF mandatory contributory social insurance (old-age pension) for Omani nationals; Pillar 0 — Universal non-contributory Old Age Benefit (OMR 115/month, income-tested) for Omani residents aged 60+. Voluntary Provident Scheme (savings) available as supplementary layer for Omanis. Mandatory Provident Scheme for expatriates (from July 2027).","replacement_rate_gross":"2% per year of service (e.g., 60% for 30 years); maximum 80% of pensionable salary","min_qualifying_period":"15 years (180 months) of contributions for standard old-age pension (men at age 60, women at age 55)","min_qualifying_partial":"Less than 15 years: eligible for old-age settlement (lump sum) if at least 12 months of contributions; nominal service periods may be purchased to reach 15-year threshold at actuarial cost set by SPF Board","aggregation_rules":"GCC multilateral agreement (Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension, in force January 2006) allows Omani nationals employed in any GCC member state to remain covered by Oman's SPF, with employer contributions routed to SPF. Service periods in GCC countries are credited toward Oman's pension entitlement. Previous service periods from prior Omani pension schemes can be ported to SPF under transitional rules. Actual service periods spent inside or outside Oman may also be ported to the old-age/disability/death branch by paying both employee and employer shares at the contribution wage applicable at the date of the porting application.","totalization_partners":["Bahrain (GCC multilateral agreement)","Kuwait (GCC multilateral agreement)","Qatar (GCC multilateral agreement)","Saudi Arabia (GCC multilateral agreement)","UAE (GCC multilateral agreement)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Contributions calculated on actual monthly wage on a daily basis. Maximum contributory wage ceiling: OMR 3,000/month. For Omanis working in GCC under extension protection: 18.5% total (7.5% employee + 11% employer) — mandatory for old-age/disability/death; employment security optional. For Omanis at GCC Secretariat General: 21.5% total (7.5% employee + 14% employer). Expatriate workers: employer pays 9% of basic wage to Provident Scheme from July 2027; employer also pays 1% maternity (from July 2024), 1% sick/other leaves (from July 2026), and 1% work injury (from July 2028) on gross salary up to OMR 3,000.","employee_pct":"7.5% (old age/disability/death) + 0.5% (employment security) = 8% total for Omani employees","employer_pct":"11% (old age/disability/death) + 1% (work injuries) + 0.5% (employment security) + 1% (maternity, from July 2024) + 1% (sick/other leaves, from July 2026) = 14.5% total for Omani employees","self_employed_pct":"18.5% total (7.5% insured share + 11% employer share) — voluntary for self-employed Omanis"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"Self-employed Omanis and Omanis working abroad may voluntarily contribute to SPF old-age/disability/death insurance branch (paying both employee and employer shares at 18.5% total). Omani nationals insured under social insurance branches may also make voluntary additional contributions to the Provident Scheme. Non-insured Omanis may voluntarily join the Provident Scheme. Non-Omani workers may make voluntary savings contributions above the mandatory 9% employer limit."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No formal deferral bonus for working beyond standard retirement age","early_reduction":"Early retirement pension subject to actuarial reduction ratios for men retiring at age 55–59 and women at age 50–54 (under SPF law). Special categories exempt from reduction: persons with disabilities, workers in hazardous/arduous jobs, and military/security personnel at specified ages and service periods."},"access_options":{"notes":"Omani nationals: monthly pension (annuity) upon meeting age and service requirements; lump-sum old-age settlement if insufficient contributions for pension (minimum 12 months). Provident Scheme savings payable as lump sum or annual/monthly instalments at saver's request. Expatriates: end-of-service gratuity (one month's basic salary per year of service under Labour Law) until July 2027, then Provident Scheme savings (9% employer contribution). Non-contributory Old Age Benefit (OMR 115/month, income-tested) available to all Omani residents aged 60+ regardless of contribution history.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Expatriate end-of-service gratuity paid as lump sum upon termination of employment. Provident Scheme savings (from July 2027) payable upon end of service. Funds freely repatriable; no withholding tax currently (until PIT takes effect January 2028). GCC nationals may access reciprocal pension benefits under GCC social security framework."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Currently not taxed (no personal income tax in force until 2028). From 1 January 2028: end-of-service gratuities and lump-sum savings included in taxable gross income under PIT Law; subject to 5% tax if total annual income exceeds OMR 42,000.","special_tax_regimes":"Contributions made by a person to post-employment pension and benefit schemes (obligatory or optional, up to two schemes) are deductible from taxable income under PIT Law from 2028 (Article 25(5) of PIT Law). This creates an incentive for taxpayers to build savings while reducing PIT liability. Exemptions under PIT Law include: income earned outside Oman (one-time, for two years); capital gains on sale of primary residence; capital gains on sale of secondary residence (one-time); inherited income and gifts; income from industrial property rights (5 years from registration date). Deductions include education expenses, healthcare, zakat, charitable donations, endowments (waqf), and interest on loans for primary residence acquisition.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Oman has signed DTAAs with over 40 countries. Recent additions include Cyprus (ratified March 2025, Royal Decree 24/2025), Tanzania (ratified March 2025, Royal Decree 25/2025), Bahrain (ratified September 2025, Royal Decree 62/2025), Kazakhstan (ratified September 2025, Royal Decree 66/2025), and an amended protocol with India (ratified March 2025, Royal Decree 36/2025). Treaty provisions prevail over domestic PIT law; reduced rates or exemptions may apply depending on treaty partner. Taxpayers must obtain formal confirmation from Oman Tax Authority before availing treaty benefits.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Oman has no totalization agreement with the US. US citizens working in Oman may face dual social security contributions. FATCA and CRS reporting apply to Omani bank accounts. No US-Oman income tax treaty in force.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction currently. From 2028, all pension income (government and private) included in taxable gross income under PIT Law. Pension funds are recognised as employers for PIT withholding purposes.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% currently (no personal income tax until 1 January 2028). From 2028: 5% flat rate on Omani-sourced pension income for non-residents earning above OMR 42,000/year threshold; withholding at source by pension fund (treated as employer for PIT purposes)."},"indexation":{"notes":"SPF Board issues annual decision on pension increase rates. For 2025: 1% pension increase applied to pensions that became due before 1 July 2024 (Decision No. 1/2025, issued 5 January 2025); average wage growth rate set at 3% for 2025. Indexation is conditional and based on actuarial valuations; the SPF Board determines increases annually. Pensioners abroad are exempt from residency requirement for pension receipt but must update their details with SPF while abroad.","method":"Annual ad hoc adjustment by SPF Board decision, based on actuarial valuations and wage growth rates. Not automatically linked to CPI or wage index. The Social Protection Law includes a conditional pensions indexation mechanism to preserve pensioners' purchasing power.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Omani pension (SPF) is portable within GCC under the multilateral GCC Insurance Protection Extension Agreement (in force January 2006). Omanis working in GCC countries remain covered by Oman's SPF with contributions paid by GCC employers to SPF. Pension paid monthly to pensioners abroad; no local bank requirement specified for overseas pensioners. Provident Scheme savings for expatriates payable upon end of service and freely repatriable. No bilateral totalization agreements with non-GCC countries. Previous service periods from prior Omani pension schemes can be ported to SPF under transitional rules. Actual service periods spent abroad may be ported to the old-age/disability/death branch by paying both employee and employer contribution shares."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Pension claims are filed through the SPF personal account portal (eservices.spf.gov.om). Applicants must access their personal SPF account, confirm civil registry data (civil number with updated contact and residence information in the Royal Oman Police civil status registry), verify bank account details, and submit a pension application on the date announced by the Fund. The SPF system is integrated with Royal Oman Police civil records and Ministry of Labour databases for automated verification. Pensioners abroad are exempt from residency requirements but must keep their details updated with SPF.","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Omani Civil ID number (civil number) with updated contact and residence data in Royal Oman Police civil status registry","Personal bank account details (Omani bank account required for pension disbursement)","Employment end-of-service documentation","Pension application submitted via SPF personal account portal (eservices.spf.gov.om)"],"local_bank_required":true,"portal_access_notes":"SPF e-services portal (eservices.spf.gov.om) is accessible online from abroad. Pensioners abroad can manage their accounts digitally. SPF contact: public@spf.gov.om; PO Box 310, PC 115, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. SPF contact page: https://www.spf.gov.om/en/contact-us/","proof_of_life_notes":"Pensioners abroad must update their details with SPF periodically as required by SPF Board decision. Specific proof-of-life frequency not publicly specified but required to maintain pension payments while abroad.","international_contact":{"phone":"Social Protection Fund (SPF), PO Box 310, P.C. 115, Sultanate of Oman; website: https://www.spf.gov.om/en/contact-us/"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Arabic (official); English available on SPF website and portal","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Insurance for Old Age, Disability, and Death (SPF)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory contributory defined-benefit pension for all Omani nationals in public and private sectors, self-employed Omanis, Omanis working in GCC countries (under extension protection), and voluntarily for Omanis working abroad. Pension formula: 2% × average future value of wages × years of service (post-2024); 2% × last salary revalued to date of entitlement × prior service period (pre-2024). Standard old-age pension payable at age 60 (men) and 55 (women) with minimum 15 years of contributions. Early retirement with actuarial reduction available for men at 55 and women at 50. Effective January 2024 under Social Protection Law (Royal Decree 52/2023).","officialUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/insurance-for-the-old-age-disability-and-death/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"15 years (180 months) minimum for standard pension; 20 years for early retirement exempt from actuarial reduction","contributionRateEmployee":"7.5%","contributionRateEmployer":"11%"},{"name":"Provident Scheme / Savings System (SPF)","type":"occupational","description":"Fixed-contribution savings scheme. Mandatory for non-Omani (expatriate) workers from July 19, 2027 (delayed from July 2026 by Royal Decree 60/2025), replacing end-of-service gratuity. Employer contributes 9% of basic monthly wage. Optional for Omani nationals insured under social insurance branches and for non-insured Omanis. The scheme is investment-based with individual accounts; contributions and investment returns accumulate. Savings payable as lump sum or scheduled instalments upon end of service, death, or permanent disability. Investment strategy and return details to be announced by SPF Board.","officialUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/provident-scheme/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 180 months (15 years) of contributions for Omani savers to access savings","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (mandatory for expats; employer-funded only)","contributionRateEmployer":"9% of basic monthly wage (for non-Omani workers)"},{"name":"Non-Contributory Social Protection Benefits (SPF)","type":"state","description":"Universal non-contributory benefits for Omani nationals meeting residency and eligibility criteria: Old Age Benefit (OMR 115/month for Omanis aged 60+ resident in Oman; income-tested — reduced if income exceeds OMR 1,020/month, nil if OMR 1,250/month or more); Disability Benefit (OMR 130/month); Child Benefit (OMR 10/month per child aged 0–18); Orphans and Widows Benefit; Family Income Support Benefit. Effective January 2024.","officialUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/protection_programs/old-age-benefit/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"0%"},{"name":"Employment Security (Unemployment) Insurance (SPF)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory for all Omani nationals. Provides temporary income support (60% of average wage over prior 2 years, minimum OMR 115/month) for up to 6 months (consecutive or intermittent within a 36-month period) for Omanis who involuntarily lose their jobs for non-disciplinary reasons. Requires at least 12 months of cumulative service within 3 years before job loss for first claim; longer contribution periods required for subsequent claims.","officialUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"12 months cumulative service within 3 years before job loss (first claim)","contributionRateEmployee":"0.5%","contributionRateEmployer":"0.5%"},{"name":"Insurance for Sick and Other Leaves (SPF)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory for Omani workers and specified non-Omani employees (in state administrative apparatus, public legal entities, and private sector establishments under the Labour Law) from July 19, 2026 (SPF Decision No. 13/2026, per Royal Decree 60/2025). Employer pays 1% of contribution wage; no employee contribution. Employer pays full wage for first 7 days of sick leave; SPF compensates from day 8 at graduated rates: 100% (days 8–21), 75% (days 22–35), 50% (days 36–70), 35% (days 71–182). Maximum 182 days per calendar year.","officialUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om/en/insurance_programs/insurance-for-sick-and-other-leaves/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"1% of contribution wage"},{"name":"Military and Security Services Pension","type":"state","description":"Covers personnel of the Ministry of Defence, Sultan's Armed Forces, Royal Oman Police, Internal Security Service, Royal Guard, Sultan's Special Force, Royal Office, and Diwan of Royal Court. Now unified under SPF from January 2024. Special retirement conditions apply for hazardous/arduous roles and military/security personnel at specified ages and service periods as determined by SPF regulations.","officialUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om","vestingYears":20,"vestingPeriod":"20 years of service (special conditions apply)","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Omanis working in GCC countries remain covered by Oman's SPF under the GCC Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension (in force January 2006); GCC employers pay contributions directly to SPF at 18.5% total (7.5% employee + 11% employer) for old-age/disability/death insurance.","Expatriate workers in Oman receive end-of-service gratuity (one month's basic salary per year of service) until July 19, 2027, when the mandatory SPF Provident Scheme (9% employer contribution on basic wage) takes effect, making Oman the first GCC state to establish funded individual accounts for expatriate employees.","Sick leave and other leave insurance for non-Omani workers became mandatory from July 19, 2026 (SPF Decision No. 13/2026, per Royal Decree 60/2025); employer contributes 1% of contribution wage; no employee contribution.","Work injury insurance for non-Omani workers is scheduled for July 2028 (delayed from July 2026 by Royal Decree 60/2025).","Oman introduced its first Personal Income Tax (Royal Decree 56/2025), effective 1 January 2028: 5% flat rate on annual income above OMR 42,000; pensions and end-of-service benefits are taxable income; withholding at source by pension funds/employers. Approximately 99% of the population will be unaffected.","Contributions to mandatory or voluntary retirement/end-of-service schemes (up to two schemes) are deductible from taxable income under the PIT Law from 2028.","No US-Oman totalization agreement exists; US citizens in Oman may face dual social security contributions.","Oman has signed DTAAs with over 40 countries; recent additions include Cyprus, Tanzania, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and an amended protocol with India (all 2025). Treaty provisions prevail over domestic PIT law for pension income of non-residents.","The standard retirement age will gradually increase from 60 (men)/55 (women) to 65 (men)/60 (women) at a rate of one year every 7 years from 2024, with further review every 5 years after reaching 65, based on actuarial assessments approved by the Council of Ministers.","Pensioners residing abroad are exempt from the residency condition for pension receipt but must keep their SPF details updated while abroad.","All SPF pension entitlements, benefits, and compensation are calculated and disbursed in Omani Rials (OMR); SPF does not bear currency exchange fees or differences.","As of early 2025, more than 590,000 Omani nationals have been registered across SPF programs."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.spf.gov.om","title":"Start at the Social Protection Fund","detail":"The SPF was created by Royal Decree 52/2023 and from January 2024 consolidated eleven previously separate pension and social insurance funds into one body. If you worked in Oman before that, your old fund's record now sits here."},{"n":2,"url":"https://eservices.spf.gov.om","title":"Open a personal account on the e-services portal","detail":"Claims and account management run through the SPF portal, which begins by asking you to confirm your civil registry data."},{"n":3,"title":"Check which predecessor fund held your service","detail":"Because eleven funds were merged, older service may still be recorded under its original scheme. Ask explicitly for the consolidated record rather than assuming what you see is everything."},{"n":4,"url":"https://gov.om/en/social-protection-fund","title":"Expatriates: check what applies to your period of service","detail":"The 2023 law changed how expatriate end-of-service entitlements are handled. Which regime covers you depends on when you worked, so ask the SPF or your employer rather than relying on general guidance."},{"n":5,"title":"Keep the documents","detail":"Save the statement, and your contract and final settlement."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You were an expatriate employee, so the pension authority has no record of you","whatToDo":"That is the expected answer, not a lost record. Your entitlement is the end-of-service gratuity your employer owes, calculated from your basic salary and length of service under the labour law. Your employment contract and final settlement are the documents, and PensionChart's free Gulf gratuity calculator will show you what the statutory formula produces."},{"symptom":"The portal rejects you because your civil registry details are out of date","whatToDo":"The SPF requires current contact and residence data before processing a claim. Updating the civil registry is the prerequisite step, and it usually has to be done before anything else will work."},{"symptom":"Your service predates the 2024 consolidation","whatToDo":"Name the original fund when you write to the SPF. The merger moved the records, but a search by fund and employer is more likely to find an older file than a search by name alone."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.spf.gov.om","portalName":"Social Protection Fund (SPF)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your civil number, and up-to-date contact and residence details in the civil registry — the SPF portal checks these before it will process anything.","Whether you are an Omani national or an expatriate: the pension scheme covers nationals, and expatriate entitlements changed with the 2023 Social Protection Law.","Your employers and service dates."],"couldNotVerify":"How the 2023 Social Protection Law treats expatriate end-of-service entitlements accrued before it took effect, and whether the SPF portal is reachable from outside Oman.","documentNameLocal":"بيان الاشتراكات (صندوق الحماية الاجتماعية)","documentNameEnglish":"Social Protection Fund contribution statement"}},{"country":"Panama","country_code":"PA","continent":"americas","currency":"Panamanian Balboa (PAB) / USD","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":62,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Panama operates a mandatory social insurance pension system administered by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), established in 1941. The system underwent sweeping reform under Law 462 of March 18, 2025, which consolidated the previous dual-subsystem structure (the Exclusive Defined Benefit Subsystem/SEBD and the Mixed Subsystem) into a new Unified Capitalization System with Solidarity Guarantee (UCS). The UCS is financed through a new Unified Solidarity Fund (Fondo Único Solidario/FUS) managed by the CSS, and provides funded individual account-based benefits subject to a minimum guaranteed pension of B/.265 per month for those with 240+ contributions at retirement age, and a non-contributory minimum of B/.144/month for those unable to make sufficient contributions. The reform mandates a gradual increase in employer IVM contributions from 12.25% to 13.25% (effective April 2025), rising to 14.25% in March 2027 and 15.25% in March 2029, while employee contributions remain unchanged at 9.75%. For the first time, independent professionals are now required to register with the CSS and contribute 9.36% of taxable income for IVM coverage. The old-age compensation (lump-sum indemnización) will be eliminated as of 2036, replaced entirely by UCS pension calculations.\n\nThe UCS applies automatically to all new CSS members from March 18, 2025, and existing members of the Mixed Subsystem may voluntarily opt in until August 18, 2026 (irrevocably). Members of the SEBD who are expected to retire within seven years remain in the SEBD, which is scheduled to be phased out by March 18, 2032; remaining Mixed Subsystem members not yet retired by March 1, 2036 will be automatically transferred to the UCS. The State has committed to an annual transfer of USD 966 million to cover the IVM actuarial deficit. Retirement ages remain unchanged at 57 for women and 62 for men, though a mandatory actuarial review is scheduled within six years of the law's enactment, with a possible increase of up to three years. Under the UCS, pensions in payment are adjusted annually based on the consumer price index — a significant improvement over the previous ad hoc adjustment regime.\n\nPanama's territorial tax system exempts all foreign-source income — including foreign pensions — from Panamanian taxation, making it a highly attractive retirement destination. The Pensionado Visa program offers immediate permanent residency to retirees with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000/month (or USD 750/month with purchase of Panamanian property worth USD 100,000+), along with extensive legally mandated discounts on healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and utilities. Panama has no totalization agreement with the United States, though it maintains bilateral social security agreements with several countries including Spain, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Portugal, and Italy.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.css.gob.pa","name":"Caja de Seguro Social (CSS)"},{"url":"https://www.mef.gob.pa","name":"Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (MEF)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/pa/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/pa","system_type":"Mixed: Social insurance DB PAYG (SEBD, transitional/closing) + Unified Capitalization System with Solidarity Guarantee (UCS, individual accounts with solidarity floor), administered by CSS under Law 462 of 2025","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: CSS mandatory IVM (Disability, Old Age, Death) — SEBD (closed/transitional DB PAYG, phasing out by 2032) and UCS (individual capitalization with solidarity guarantee, minimum B/.265/month for 240+ contributions); Pillar 2: Mandatory severance fund (Fondo de Cesantía) for private-sector employees; Pillar 3: Voluntary private pension plans and savings","replacement_rate_gross":"Variable under UCS: pension = accumulated contributions ÷ 1,000 × pension factor (e.g., 5.15 for men at age 62). Minimum guaranteed pension of B/.265/month for those with 240+ contributions; B/.144/month non-contributory floor. Standard maximum pension B/.1,500/month; up to B/.2,000–2,500/month for qualifying workers with 25–30+ years and higher salaries. OECD gross replacement rate estimate: ~45–60% for average earners under prior system; UCS outcomes vary by individual account balance.","min_qualifying_period":"240 contribution months (20 years) for full old-age pension at standard retirement age (62 men / 57 women); 120 months for seasonal agricultural and construction workers","min_qualifying_partial":"180–239 contribution months for proportional (partial) pension at standard age; 120–239 months for minimum benefit pension at age 75 under UCS","aggregation_rules":"Panama has bilateral social security agreements with several countries including Spain, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Portugal, and Italy, which allow totalization of contribution periods to meet the 240-quota requirement. The SICA (Central American Integration System) multilateral social security agreement was signed by Panama but has not entered into force due to lack of ratification. No US-Panama totalization agreement exists.","totalization_partners":["Spain","Chile","Ecuador","Peru","Portugal","Italy"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"No maximum earnings ceiling for CSS contributions. Employee rate unchanged by Law 462. Prior employer IVM rate was 12.25%; increased to 13.25% from April 1, 2025. Educational insurance tax: employee 1.25%, employer 1.50% (separate from CSS). Professional risk insurance: employer only, 0.98%–5.67% depending on industry risk classification. Retired employees who continue working must keep contributing to CSS.","employee_pct":"9.75%","employer_pct":"13.25% (effective April 1, 2025 to February 28, 2027; increases to 14.25% from March 1, 2027; reaches 15.25% from March 1, 2029)","self_employed_pct":"9.36% of taxable income for IVM (mandatory for independent professionals as of March 18, 2025); optional additional 8.5% for Sickness and Maternity coverage (minimum declared income B/.800/month)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary CSS affiliation available for persons not subject to mandatory coverage (minimum declared income B/.300/month for voluntary insured). Contributions to private pension funds are deductible for Panamanian income tax purposes. Investment income within private pension accounts may be tax-deferred. No specific annual cap on private pension contributions confirmed."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No formal deferral bonus. Continuing to contribute after normal retirement age increases the pension by increasing the accumulated account balance under UCS (higher balance ÷ 1,000 × pension factor = higher monthly pension). No separate late-retirement increment formula.","early_reduction":"8.72% reduction if claimed 1 year before normal retirement age; 16.58% reduction if claimed 2 years before normal retirement age (i.e., men at age 60, women at age 55). Actuarial reduction factor applied by CSS based on exact age at early retirement."},"access_options":{"notes":"CSS old-age pension is paid as a monthly annuity for life. Under the UCS individual account component, the pension is calculated as accumulated contributions ÷ 1,000 × pension factor (e.g., 5.15 for men at age 62); if the pensioner outlives the estimated life expectancy and the account is depleted, the collective solidarity fund tops up the balance. The old-age compensation lump sum (Indemnización por Vejez) — previously available for those who reached retirement age without meeting minimum contribution requirements — is being eliminated as of 2036 under Law 462; until then it remains available for eligible cases. CSS contributions cannot be withdrawn in cash by active contributors.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"No cash withdrawal of CSS contributions upon departure from Panama. CSS pension (once awarded) is payable abroad. Old-age compensation lump sum available at retirement age for those not meeting full pension minimums, but this benefit is being phased out and eliminated as of 2036."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump-sum old-age settlements from CSS are generally treated as pension income under Panama's territorial tax system. Panama does not impose tax on foreign-source lump-sum pension distributions received by residents.","special_tax_regimes":"Pensionado Visa holders receive extensive non-tax benefits (discounts on healthcare, entertainment, transportation, utilities, import duty exemptions on household goods up to USD 10,000) but no special income tax regime beyond Panama's standard territorial tax system. Panama's territorial system does not tax foreign income even when remitted into Panama — a critical distinction from some other territorial systems.","treaty_relief_available":false,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens and green card holders must continue filing US tax returns regardless of residence in Panama. No US-Panama income tax treaty exists. No US-Panama totalization agreement exists. FBAR filing required if Panamanian financial accounts exceed USD 10,000 combined at any point during the year. FATCA reporting may apply to Panamanian accounts (Panama signed a FATCA IGA with the USA). Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to USD 130,000 for tax year 2025; USD 132,900 for tax year 2026) applies to earned income but NOT to pension, Social Security, IRA, or 401(k) income.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction under Panama's territorial tax system — both CSS (government) and private pension income paid from Panamanian sources are subject to the same territorial rules. Foreign-source pension income (including US Social Security, Canadian CPP/OAS, etc.) is 0% taxable in Panama regardless of residency status. Foreign income is not taxed even when remitted or deposited into a Panamanian bank account.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% (Panama's territorial tax system does not tax CSS pension income paid to non-residents; Panama-source pension income is generally exempt for non-residents as Panama only taxes Panama-source income of residents)"},"indexation":{"notes":"Under the UCS (Law 462 of 2025), pensions in payment are adjusted annually based on the change in the consumer price index — a statutory CPI-indexation mechanism replacing the previous ad hoc adjustment regime. SEBD pensions continue under prior ad hoc adjustment rules until phase-out. Panama's 13th-month bonus (Decimotercer Mes) applies to workers' salaries; a separate annual thirteenth-month pension bonus has historically been paid to CSS pensioners. Pensions paid abroad are subject to the same adjustment rules as domestic pensions — there is no frozen-rate policy for non-residents.","method":"UCS: Annual CPI-based adjustment (statutory under Law 462). SEBD (transitional): Ad hoc government adjustments. Thirteenth-month pension bonus paid annually.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"CSS pensions are fully portable and payable abroad. Panama has bilateral social security agreements with Spain, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Portugal, and Italy allowing totalization of contribution periods. No broad totalization network with major English-speaking economies. Foreign pensions are non-taxable in Panama under the territorial tax system. Pensionado Visa accepts foreign pension income of USD 1,000+/month for permanent residency."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"In Panama: Apply in person at any CSS regional office with required documents, or online via the CSS Trámites portal (css.gob.pa). From abroad: Submit completed pension application form by email to solicituddepension@css.gob.pa with authenticated/apostilled documents, or through a duly authorized representative (power of attorney required). The CSS 'Mi Caja Digital' digital platform allows insured persons to check contribution history, determine which subsystem they belong to, project pension amounts, and model outcomes under the new UCS online.","advance_timeline":"Applications may be submitted at or after reaching retirement age (57 women / 62 men) or early retirement age (55 women / 60 men) with required contributions. No specific advance filing window mandated, but early preparation of contribution history verification is recommended.","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["National identity card (cédula) — current copy","Birth certificate","Marriage certificate (if applicable, for survivor/dependent benefits)","Complete CSS contribution history printout (obtainable from CSS or Mi Caja Digital)","Long-Term Economic Benefits Request form (provided by CSS)","Certification from last employer of final day worked (in some cases)","Power of attorney (if applying through a representative)","All documents originating abroad must be apostilled or authenticated by a Panamanian consulate before submission"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"CSS online portal (css.gob.pa) and Mi Caja Digital platform accessible internationally for contribution history checks, subsystem identification, and pension projections. Pension applications from abroad can be submitted by email to solicituddepension@css.gob.pa. Proof of life can be completed virtually via Panamanian consulates.","proof_of_life_notes":"Proof of life (Fe de Vida) required periodically (every 6–12 months) for CSS pensioners living abroad. Can be completed: (1) in person at a Panamanian consulate abroad (virtual signing via video meeting also available at some consulates); (2) by signing the CSS form before a Notary Public and mailing the original to the CSS Departamento de Pagos de Pensiones, Jubilaciones y Otros Derechos along with a copy of cédula and social security card. Document must be in Spanish. No fee charged. Failure to provide proof of life by the deadline results in suspension of pension payments. Authentication by mail takes approximately 8–10 business days from receipt at the consulate.","international_contact":{"phone":"CSS pension application email: solicituddepension@css.gob.pa; website: https://www.css.gob.pa"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Spanish","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Exclusive Defined Benefit Subsystem (SEBD)","type":"state","description":"Closed transitional DB PAYG system for workers aged 35 or older as of December 31, 2005, or already retired at that date. Members expected to retire within 7 years of March 18, 2025 remain in SEBD. Scheduled for phase-out by March 18, 2032, after which remaining members transfer automatically to UCS. Financed through the new Unified Solidarity Fund (FUS).","officialUrl":"https://www.css.gob.pa","vestingYears":20,"vestingPeriod":"240 months of contributions for full pension; 180–239 months for partial pension","contributionRateEmployee":"9.75%","contributionRateEmployer":"13.25% (effective April 1, 2025 to February 28, 2027; rising to 14.25% from March 1, 2027; then 15.25% from March 1, 2029)"},{"name":"Unified Capitalization System with Solidarity Guarantee (UCS / Sistema Único de Capitalización con Garantía Solidaria)","type":"state","description":"New consolidated pension system established by Law 462 (March 18, 2025). Applies to all new CSS members from March 18, 2025, and to existing Mixed Subsystem members more than 7 years from retirement. Voluntary opt-in for existing members open until August 18, 2026 (irrevocable). Structured into two components: (1) Non-Contributory Solidarity Component — grants a minimum pension of B/.144/month to those unable to make sufficient contributions; (2) Contributory Solidarity Capitalization Component — provides a Guaranteed Solidarity Pension based on accumulated individual account contributions (formula: accumulated contributions ÷ 1,000 × pension factor), with a minimum floor of B/.265/month for those with 240+ contributions at retirement age. Standard maximum pension B/.1,500/month; up to B/.2,000–2,500/month for qualifying workers. Pensions in payment adjusted annually based on CPI. Managed by CSS through the Fondo Único Solidario (FUS). State commits USD 966 million annually to cover actuarial deficit. Old-age compensation (lump-sum indemnización) eliminated as of 2036.","officialUrl":"https://www.css.gob.pa","vestingYears":20,"vestingPeriod":"240 months for full Guaranteed Solidarity Pension (B/.265+/month); 120–239 months for partial/minimum benefit; age 75 with 120+ contributions qualifies for minimum benefit pension of B/.144/month","contributionRateEmployee":"9.75%","contributionRateEmployer":"13.25% (effective April 1, 2025 to February 28, 2027; rising to 14.25% from March 1, 2027; then 15.25% from March 1, 2029)"},{"name":"Disability, Old Age, Death Insurance (IVM — Invalidez, Vejez y Muerte)","type":"state","description":"The core CSS insurance program covering old-age pensions, disability pensions, survivor pensions, and death benefits for all insured workers. Funded through employee and employer contributions to the CSS. Disability pension requires assessed loss of work capacity of at least 66.7% and minimum contribution periods varying by age. Survivor pension payable abroad. All workers — Panamanian or foreign — providing services in Panama must register with the CSS.","officialUrl":"https://www.css.gob.pa","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Disability: 3 years (age ≤30), 4 years (age 31–40), 5 years (age 41 to retirement age), or 20 years at any age. Survivor: 3 years including 18 months in last 3 years before death.","contributionRateEmployee":"9.75% (total CSS IVM + health)","contributionRateEmployer":"13.25% (total CSS, rising progressively to 15.25% by March 2029)"},{"name":"Mandatory Severance/Capitalization Fund (Fondo de Cesantía)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory individual account system for private-sector employees with permanent contracts in firms with 5+ workers. Employer contributes 2.25% of quarterly payroll. Paid out when employment ceases. Workers may take loans against the account balance for housing. Not a pension per se but supplements retirement income.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"2.25% of quarterly payroll"},{"name":"Voluntary Coverage / Private Pension Plans","type":"private","description":"Voluntary CSS affiliation available for persons not subject to mandatory coverage (e.g., employees of international organizations, foreign diplomatic missions, caregivers). Private occupational DC plans offered by approximately 26% of companies as supplemental retirement benefits. Contributions to private pension funds are deductible for Panamanian income tax purposes.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["No US-Panama totalization agreement exists; Americans working in Panama may be required to pay social security taxes to both countries simultaneously on the same earnings.","No US-Panama income tax treaty exists; US citizens in Panama must continue filing US tax returns annually and may not claim treaty-reduced rates on US-source income.","Panama's territorial tax system exempts all foreign-source income — including foreign pensions, Social Security, annuities, and retirement account withdrawals — from Panamanian taxation, regardless of residency status. Foreign income is not taxed even when remitted or deposited into a Panamanian bank account.","The Pensionado Visa grants immediate permanent residency to retirees with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000/month (or USD 750/month with purchase of Panamanian property worth USD 100,000+), with extensive legally mandated lifestyle discounts and import duty exemptions on household goods up to USD 10,000.","CSS pensions are fully portable and payable abroad; proof of life (Fe de Vida) must be submitted periodically (every 6–12 months) to maintain payments, and can be completed at Panamanian consulates abroad or via virtual signing.","Independent professionals (self-employed) are now mandatorily required to register with CSS and contribute 9.36% of taxable income for IVM coverage under Law 462 (effective March 18, 2025) — previously voluntary.","Panama has bilateral social security agreements with Spain, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Portugal, and Italy, allowing totalization of contribution periods to meet the 240-quota requirement for a full pension.","The SICA (Central American Integration System) multilateral social security agreement was signed by Panama but has not entered into force due to lack of ratification; no operative regional aggregation framework applies.","Existing CSS members in the Mixed Subsystem may voluntarily and irrevocably transfer to the new UCS until August 18, 2026; those who do not transfer will be automatically enrolled in UCS by March 1, 2036.","The employer IVM contribution rate is increasing progressively: 13.25% (April 2025 to February 2027), 14.25% (March 2027 to February 2029), 15.25% (March 2029 onward) — a significant payroll cost increase for businesses operating in Panama.","The old-age compensation lump sum (Indemnización por Vejez) will be eliminated as of 2036 under Law 462; from that date, all retirement benefits will be calculated under the UCS framework.","Under the UCS, pensions in payment are adjusted annually based on the consumer price index — a statutory CPI-indexation mechanism introduced by Law 462 of 2025.","US citizens with Panamanian financial accounts exceeding USD 10,000 must file an FBAR (FinCEN 114); FATCA reporting obligations also apply to Panamanian accounts held by US persons (Panama signed a FATCA IGA with the USA).","A mandatory actuarial review of the retirement age is scheduled within six years of Law 462's enactment (by 2031); if warranted, the retirement age may be increased by up to three years."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.css.gob.pa","title":"Start at the CSS","detail":"The Caja de Seguro Social administers Panama's contributory pension system."},{"n":2,"title":"Request your contribution history","detail":"The record shows the quotas (cuotas) paid on your behalf. Panamanian eligibility depends on the number of quotas as well as age."},{"n":3,"title":"If you are abroad, use the email route","detail":"CSS accepts completed pension application forms by email from claimants outside Panama, which avoids the in-person requirement other countries in the region impose."},{"n":4,"title":"Check which regime applies","detail":"Panama reformed its system and runs both a defined-benefit and a mixed component depending on when you entered. Ask CSS which applies to your contribution history."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep the statement and the reference of any request you file."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"CSS has no record under the identity you gave","whatToDo":"Foreign workers were often registered under a passport number. Provide every identifier you used, and the employer's name, so the file can be matched."},{"symptom":"Your employer did not pay the quotas","whatToDo":"Deductions without payment are recoverable through CSS, but need evidence: payslips showing the deduction are the starting point."},{"symptom":"You cannot get a reply by email","whatToDo":"Panamanian consulates can forward documents and confirm identity, and a representative in Panama can attend a regional office in person."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.css.gob.pa","portalName":"Caja de Seguro Social (CSS)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Panamanian cédula number, or the passport used when you were registered.","Your employers and dates.","An email address you can use for correspondence — CSS accepts applications from abroad by email, which is unusually straightforward."],"couldNotVerify":"The current CSS email address for applications from abroad, and whether the contribution history can be requested online.","documentNameLocal":"Historial de cuotas (CSS)","documentNameEnglish":"Contribution history"}},{"country":"Philippines","country_code":"PH","continent":"asia","currency":"PHP","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"The Philippines operates a multi-layered, dual-track pension system. Private-sector workers are covered by the Social Security System (SSS), a mandatory defined-benefit PAYG scheme governed by Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018). Government employees are covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), a separate DB PAYG scheme under RA 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997). Both systems are supplemented by the mandatory Pag-IBIG Fund (HDMF), a provident savings and housing finance program. As of January 2025, the total SSS contribution rate reached 15% (the final phase-in under RA 11199), split 5% employee and 10% employer, with Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) range PHP 5,000–35,000. The OECD's Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024 report ranked the Philippines as having the highest future gross replacement rate in the Asia-Pacific region at 72% for full-career male workers at average earnings — driven by the generous DB formula and the fact that all pension income is tax-exempt. In 2025, SSS net income surged 58.4% to PHP 142.97 billion and its reserve fund surpassed PHP 1 trillion for the first time.\n\nOverseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are mandatorily covered under SSS (RA 11199) and may continue voluntary contributions while abroad. The SSS has 16 bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs) enabling totalization of insurance periods and export of benefits. A landmark three-year SSS Pension Reform Program (PRP) launched September 2025 provides 10% annual increases for retirement/disability pensioners and 5% for survivor pensioners through 2027, covering 4.1 million pensioners and projected to inject PHP 92.8 billion into the economy. Tranche 2 was advanced to June 2026 (from the originally scheduled September 2026) to provide earlier relief amid inflationary pressures. Tranche 3 remains scheduled for September 2027.\n\nVoluntary retirement savings are supported by PERA (Personal Equity and Retirement Account, RA 9505), a tax-advantaged individual retirement account with a 5% annual tax credit on contributions, expanded under the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA/RA 12214) effective July 2025 with additional employer deduction incentives. The MySSS Pension Booster (rebranded June 2024 from WISP/WISP Plus) offers mandatory provident savings for SSS members with MSC above PHP 20,000 and a voluntary scheme open to all SSS members, posting 6.83% ROI in 2025 and 6.2% (Jan–May 2026) with management fees waived through 2028. Indigent senior citizens not covered by SSS/GSIS receive a PHP 1,000/month social pension under the DSWD SocPen program (RA 11916), covering over 4.1 million beneficiaries in 2025 with a PHP 51.8 billion budget for 2026.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.sss.gov.ph","name":"SSS (Social Security System)"},{"url":"https://my.sss.gov.ph","name":"My.SSS Member Portal"},{"url":"https://www.gsis.gov.ph","name":"GSIS (Government Service Insurance System)"},{"url":"https://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph","name":"Pag-IBIG Fund (HDMF)"},{"url":"https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/InclusiveFinance/PERA_FAQs_TaxCredit.aspx","name":"BSP — PERA Information"},{"url":"https://www.sss.gov.ph/bilateral-agreements/","name":"SSS Bilateral Agreements"},{"url":"https://www.sss.gov.ph/mysss-pension-booster/","name":"SSS MySSS Pension Booster"},{"url":"https://www.sss.gov.ph/comply-to-the-acop-program/","name":"SSS ACOP Program"},{"url":"https://www.dswd.gov.ph","name":"DSWD — Social Pension (SocPen)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ph/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ph","system_type":"Bismarckian / Social insurance — earnings-related defined-benefit PAYG (dual system: SSS for private sector + GSIS for public sector), supplemented by mandatory provident fund (Pag-IBIG) and voluntary savings schemes","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: DSWD Social Pension (SocPen) — means-tested PHP 1,000/month for indigent seniors aged 60+ (RA 11916, effective January 2024); Pillar 1: SSS (private sector) / GSIS (public sector) — mandatory DB PAYG; Pillar 2: Pag-IBIG Fund (HDMF) — mandatory provident/savings fund; MySSS Pension Booster/WISP — mandatory DC for SSS members with MSC > PHP 20,000; Pillar 3: PERA (voluntary individual retirement account under RA 9505, expanded by CMEPA/RA 12214), MySSS Pension Booster Voluntary (WISP Plus)","replacement_rate_gross":"72% (OECD Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024 — full-career male worker at average earnings; highest in Asia-Pacific region)","min_qualifying_period":"SSS: 120 monthly contributions (10 years) for monthly pension; GSIS: 15 years of government service for pension under RA 8291; Pag-IBIG: 240 monthly contributions (20 years) for full benefit","min_qualifying_partial":"SSS: fewer than 120 contributions yields lump-sum (total contributions + interest); GSIS: fewer than 15 years may yield gratuity or separation benefit (confirm with GSIS); Pag-IBIG: partial withdrawal available after 10 years or at age 65","aggregation_rules":"Bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 16 countries allow totalization of insurance periods from partner countries to determine eligibility and compute proportional benefits. Compliant with ILO Convention No. 157 on Maintenance of Social Security Rights. Workers who contributed to both SSS and GSIS may claim pensions from both systems independently under the Portability Law (RA 7699). Under SSAs, each country pays a pro-rata benefit proportional to contributions credited in that country's system. Under the Portability Law, government retirees who do not meet GSIS service requirements may combine private-sector SSS contributions with government service years to satisfy eligibility thresholds.","totalization_partners":["Austria","United Kingdom and Northern Ireland","Spain","France","Canada","Quebec (Canada)","Netherlands","Switzerland","Belgium","Denmark","Portugal","Germany","Japan","Sweden","Luxembourg","South Korea"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"SSS total rate of 15% is the final phase-in under RA 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018), effective January 1, 2025 per Circular 2024-006. MSC minimum PHP 5,000, maximum PHP 35,000. The 15% rate applies uniformly to the full MSC range: Regular SS on first PHP 20,000 of MSC; Mandatory Provident Fund (WISP/MySSS Pension Booster) on MSC above PHP 20,000 up to PHP 35,000 ceiling. Pag-IBIG rate increase (from 1% to 2% on doubled MFS) effective February 2024 per HDMF Circular No. 460. OFW land-based members pay SSS at minimum MSC of PHP 8,000 or higher declared amount. GSIS contribution applies to full basic salary with no compensation ceiling.","employee_pct":"SSS: 5% (effective Jan 2025, MSC PHP 5,000–35,000); GSIS: 9% (no compensation ceiling); Pag-IBIG: 2% (capped at PHP 200/month on MFS PHP 10,000)","employer_pct":"SSS: 10% (effective Jan 2025, includes EC contribution); GSIS: 12%; Pag-IBIG: 2% (capped at PHP 200/month on MFS PHP 10,000)","self_employed_pct":"SSS: 15% total on declared MSC (self-employed shoulder full combined rate); Pag-IBIG: PHP 200/month fixed (2% of PHP 10,000 MFS)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"PERA: contributions made within the calendar year; MySSS Pension Booster: anytime, must be paid together with regular SSS contributions or through SSS-accredited collection partners","available":true,"annual_cost":"PERA: up to PHP 200,000/year (residents) or PHP 400,000/year (OFWs); MySSS Pension Booster (Voluntary): minimum PHP 500/payment, no maximum limit","benefit_per_year":"PERA: 5% tax credit on annual contributions (max PHP 10,000/year for residents; PHP 20,000/year for OFWs); all investment earnings tax-exempt; tax-free withdrawal at age 55 with 5 years membership; PERA assets paid tax-free to beneficiaries on death. MySSS Pension Booster: actual ROI 6.83% (2025), 6.2% (Jan–May 2026); management fee waived 2025–2028; all contributions and earnings tax-free; paid out on top of regular SSS retirement benefit.","eligibility_conditions":"PERA: any Filipino with a TIN (employed, self-employed, OFW, or retired) aged 18+; open to those already 55+ but 5-year contribution period required for tax-free withdrawal. MySSS Pension Booster (Voluntary/WISP Plus): all SSS members with at least one posted contribution and no final benefit claim filed, regardless of MSC. OFW SSS voluntary members: may continue SSS contributions abroad at declared MSC."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No formal deferral bonus for SSS. Additional contribution months beyond 120 increase pension via the 2% × AMSC × (CYS – 10) formula component. GSIS: compulsory retirement at 65; no late bonus beyond mandatory age. GSIS pension formula rewards longer service (2.5% × RAMC per year of service, capped at 90% of AMC).","early_reduction":"No actuarial early reduction for SSS optional retirement at 60 (full pension applies if 120+ contributions met). Pension suspended if pensioner resumes employment or self-employment before age 65. GSIS: optional retirement at 60 with 15+ years of service — no actuarial reduction applied."},"access_options":{"notes":"SSS: monthly pension (lifetime) for members with 120+ contributions; lump sum (total contributions + interest) for those with fewer than 120 contributions. GSIS: lifetime monthly pension for government employees with 15+ years of service; Option 1 — 5-year lump sum (60 × BMP) upfront with monthly pension starting after 5 years; Option 2 — 18-month cash payment upfront plus immediate lifetime monthly pension. Pag-IBIG: lump-sum withdrawal of total accumulated savings at membership maturity (20 years/240 contributions) or at age 65. MySSS Pension Booster: paid as pension, lump sum, or combination at retirement. PERA: tax-free lump-sum or annuity at age 55 with 5 years of contributions; PERA assets paid tax-free to beneficiaries on death. All SSS pension payments made 13 times per year (includes 13th-month pension in December).","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"No departure-based early withdrawal for SSS or GSIS. OFWs may continue SSS contributions voluntarily while abroad. Pag-IBIG savings withdrawable at membership maturity or age 65 regardless of location. PERA early withdrawal before age 55 or before 5 years incurs penalty (minimum equal to tax incentives enjoyed); exceptions for permanent disability or extended hospitalization. Philippines has 16 bilateral SSAs enabling benefit export to partner countries."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Tax-exempt for SSS/GSIS benefits. Private employer lump-sum retirement benefits exempt under RA 4917 (age 50+, 10+ years service, tax-qualified plan) or RA 7641 (age 60–65, 5+ years service). BIR RMC 13-2024 (January 2024) clarified tax treatment of retirement benefit expenses.","special_tax_regimes":"Senior citizens (60+) exempt from individual income tax if annual taxable income does not exceed NEDA poverty level (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003). PERA contributions earn 5% tax credit; PERA investment earnings and qualified withdrawals are fully tax-exempt. MySSS Pension Booster contributions and earnings are tax-free. Pag-IBIG dividends (Regular Savings and MP2) are fully tax-free. Under CMEPA (RA 12214, effective July 1, 2025), private employers making voluntary PERA contributions for employees are entitled to an additional 50% deduction from gross income.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Philippines has tax treaties with 43 countries; pension income is generally exempt at source under Philippine law, so treaty relief on Philippine pensions is typically not needed. Foreign pensions received by Philippine residents may be subject to Philippine income tax unless treaty relief applies.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"SSS/GSIS pensions are generally reportable as foreign pension income on US tax returns for US citizens/residents. Philippines does not have a US totalization agreement; US FICA obligations continue in full for Americans working in the Philippines. Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 5, 2025) eliminated WEP/GPO reductions for those receiving foreign pensions alongside US Social Security.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction for tax exemption purposes — both SSS (private sector) and GSIS (government sector) pensions are fully tax-exempt under Philippine law. Private employer retirement benefits under RA 4917 (tax-qualified plan) or RA 7641 are also tax-exempt subject to age/service conditions.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% — all SSS and GSIS pension income is fully exempt from Philippine income tax and withholding tax under Philippine law (confirmed by OECD Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024)"},"indexation":{"notes":"Philippines has no statutory valorization rule linking past earnings to current living standards (OECD 2024). Pension increases are discretionary and periodic. The 2025–2027 SSS Pension Reform Program affects approximately 4.1 million pensioners (as of June 2026). Pensions paid abroad are uprated on the same basis as domestic pensions — no frozen pension policy.","method":"Ad hoc — pension adjustments through SSS/GSIS Board resolution or legislative action; no automatic valorization rule (confirmed by OECD Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024). SSS three-year Pension Reform Program (2025–2027): 10% annual increase for retirement/disability pensioners (Tranche 1: September 2025; Tranche 2: advanced to June 2026; Tranche 3: September 2027) and 5% annual increase for survivor/death pensioners — cumulative ~33% for retirement/disability, ~16% for survivors — funded within SSS without raising contribution rates. GSIS: pension increases for old-age and disability pensioners who have received pension for 5+ years, based on GSIS Board approval.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"SSS allows voluntary contributions from OFWs abroad under RA 11199 (compulsory OFW coverage). 16 bilateral Social Security Agreements enable totalization of coverage periods and proportional benefit export to partner countries. Benefits payable worldwide — no residence restriction on SSS/GSIS pension receipt. Pag-IBIG savings withdrawable regardless of location at maturity. PERA is non-transferable between individuals but assets are protected from creditors and paid tax-free to beneficiaries on death. Workers who contributed to both SSS and GSIS may claim from both systems independently under the Portability Law (RA 7699)."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"SSS: Apply at any SSS branch, online via My.SSS portal (my.sss.gov.ph), SSS Mobile App, or at overseas SSS representative offices (locations across ASEAN, Middle East, North America, Europe). GSIS: Apply through GSIS branch or online portal (eGSIS MO). Pag-IBIG: Apply at Pag-IBIG branch or Virtual Pag-IBIG online portal. For overseas pensioners, SSS applications can be submitted through Philippine embassies/consulates or SSS foreign representative offices. Pension payments made via PESONet-participating Philippine bank accounts, digital wallets (Maya, GCash), MySSS Card (2-in-1 SSS ID and disbursement account, issued 2025), or direct remittance to foreign bank accounts in SSA-covered jurisdictions.","advance_timeline":"SSS recommends filing retirement benefit application at least 6 months before intended retirement date. ACOP compliance must be done annually during the pensioner's birth month (early compliance allowed up to 2 months before scheduled month).","payment_frequency":"Monthly (13 payments per year — includes 13th-month pension in December for SSS)","required_documents":["SSS ID, UMID card, or MySSS Card (or GSIS eCard for GSIS)","Valid passport or government-issued ID","Proof of age (PSA-issued birth certificate)","Bank account details (Philippine bank account, digital wallet, MySSS Card, or designated foreign bank in SSA-covered country)","ACOP form (Annual Confirmation of Pensioners) — for overseas pensioners and specified categories","Duly accomplished SSS retirement benefit application form (RS-5 or online equivalent)","Certificate of total contributions from GSIS (if claiming under Portability Law)","Medical certificate (for disability claims or incapacitated pensioners)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"My.SSS portal (my.sss.gov.ph) and SSS Mobile App are fully accessible abroad for contribution payments, ACOP compliance (including biometric liveness check and PhilSys facial authentication), pension status monitoring, Pension Booster account monitoring, and benefit applications. Virtual Pag-IBIG portal accessible abroad for Pag-IBIG contributions and withdrawals. GSIS eGSIS MO online portal accessible for government pensioners.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) required for: all retirement pensioners residing abroad; retirement pensioners in the Philippines aged 80+ (effective March 2024); total disability pensioners; death/survivor pensioners; and dependent children under guardianship. As of March 2026, SSS launched facial authentication via PhilSys (Philippine Identification System) — pensioners registered with the national ID system can complete ACOP online at sss.gov.ph without a My.SSS login, using biometric liveness detection. Additional ACOP channels: (1) biometric facial authentication via My.SSS portal or mobile app; (2) video conference (MS Teams or Viber) by appointment; (3) email submission of scanned documents (ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph for overseas); (4) postal mail to SSS main office or nearest branch/foreign representative office; (5) in-person at SSS branch, Philippine embassy/consulate, or partner banks abroad. Failure to comply results in automatic pension suspension one month after birth month; automatic cancellation after 2 years of suspension.","international_contact":{"phone":"SSS international offices in 23 locations (ASEAN, Middle East, North America, Europe); email: usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph; phone: 1455 (local)"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Filipino (Tagalog) and English","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Social Security System (SSS)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory DB PAYG for private-sector employees, self-employed, and OFWs. Monthly pension is the highest of: (1) PHP 300 + 20% of AMSC + 2% of AMSC × (CYS – 10); (2) 40% of AMSC; or (3) PHP 1,200 (10–20 CYS) / PHP 2,400 (20+ CYS), plus PHP 1,000 across-the-board addition. AMSC is capped at PHP 20,000 for the DB formula; MSC above PHP 20,000 (up to PHP 35,000 ceiling) funds the Mandatory Provident Fund (WISP/MySSS Pension Booster). Pension suspended if pensioner resumes employment before age 65. All pension payments made 13 times per year (includes 13th-month). Effective January 2025, total contribution rate is 15% (employee 5%, employer 10%), with MSC range PHP 5,000–35,000 per SSS Circular 2024-006. SSS Pension Reform Program (2025–2027): 10% annual increase for retirement/disability pensioners (Tranche 1: September 2025; Tranche 2: advanced to June 2026; Tranche 3: September 2027) and 5% annual increase for survivor pensioners — cumulative ~33% for retirement/disability, ~16% for survivors. As of 2026, minimum pension is PHP 2,000/month; average pension approximately PHP 5,000/month; highest approximately PHP 24,000/month. SSS net income surged 58.4% to PHP 142.97 billion in 2025; reserve fund surpassed PHP 1 trillion.","officialUrl":"https://www.sss.gov.ph","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"120 monthly contributions (10 years) for monthly pension; fewer contributions yield lump-sum only (total contributions + interest)","contributionRateEmployee":"5% (effective January 2025, on MSC PHP 5,000–35,000)","contributionRateEmployer":"10% (effective January 2025, includes EC contribution)"},{"name":"Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory DB PAYG for government employees under RA 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997). Basic Monthly Pension (BMP) = 2.5% × Revalued AMC (AMC + PHP 700) × years of creditable service, capped at 90% of AMC. Minimum pension PHP 6,000/month for old-age and disability pensioners (GSIS Board resolution, effective February 2019). Compulsory retirement age is 65; optional retirement at 60 with at least 15 years of service. Two payout options: Option 1 — 5-year lump sum (60 × BMP) upfront, monthly pension starts after 5 years; Option 2 — 18-month cash payment upfront plus immediate lifetime monthly pension. Pension adjustments for pensioners receiving pension for 5+ years approved by GSIS Board of Trustees. House Bill No. 3127 (filed 2025) proposes reducing minimum service requirement from 15 to 10 years (pending as of 2026). As of March 2025, GSIS has 2,736,710 members and pensioners (2,100,257 active members; 636,453 old-age and survivorship pensioners).","officialUrl":"https://www.gsis.gov.ph","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years of government service for pension under RA 8291; fewer years may qualify for gratuity or separation benefit","contributionRateEmployee":"9%","contributionRateEmployer":"12%"},{"name":"Pag-IBIG Fund (HDMF)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory provident/savings fund for all employed workers and OFWs under RA 9679. Provides lump-sum benefit at retirement based on accumulated member and employer contributions plus annual dividends. Effective February 2024, maximum Monthly Fund Salary (MFS) raised from PHP 5,000 to PHP 10,000 (HDMF Circular No. 460), doubling maximum monthly contribution to PHP 200 each for employee and employer. For 2025 (declared February 2026): Regular Savings dividend rate 6.62% (up from 6.60% in 2024); MP2 (Modified Pag-IBIG 2) voluntary savings rate 7.12% (up from 7.10% in 2024) — record PHP 64.34 billion in total dividends, highest in the fund's 45-year history. Total membership savings collections reached PHP 160.41 billion in 2025 (record high, up 21% year-on-year). All dividends are tax-free.","officialUrl":"https://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph","vestingYears":20,"vestingPeriod":"240 monthly contributions (20 years) for full benefit; partial withdrawal available after 10 years or at age 65","contributionRateEmployee":"2% (capped at PHP 200/month on MFS of PHP 10,000)","contributionRateEmployer":"2% (capped at PHP 200/month on MFS of PHP 10,000)"},{"name":"MySSS Pension Booster (WISP / WISP Plus)","type":"occupational","description":"Rebranded June 2024 from WISP and WISP Plus. Composed of: (1) Mandatory MySSS Pension Booster (formerly WISP) — automatic enrollment for SSS members with MSC exceeding PHP 20,000; contributions on the excess MSC above PHP 20,000 up to PHP 35,000 ceiling at the same 15% rate (5% employee / 10% employer); (2) Voluntary MySSS Pension Booster (formerly WISP Plus) — open to all SSS members with at least one posted contribution and no final benefit claim; minimum PHP 500 per payment, no maximum. All contributions and investment earnings are tax-free. Actual ROI: 6.97% (2023), 6.83% (2025), 6.2% (Jan–May 2026) — consistently above 91-day T-bill benchmark. SSS waived the 1% management fee on total Pension Booster balances from 2025 to 2028. Funds invested in government securities, corporate bonds, fixed-income instruments, equities, and money market instruments. Paid out as pension, lump sum, or combination at retirement, on top of regular SSS benefit. Members can monitor monthly compounding growth via My.SSS accounts.","officialUrl":"https://www.sss.gov.ph/mysss-pension-booster/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum vesting; early withdrawal allowed after 1 year (voluntary scheme) with reduced income; full tax-free payout at retirement","contributionRateEmployee":"Mandatory: 5% on MSC above PHP 20,000 (employee share); Voluntary: minimum PHP 500/payment, no maximum","contributionRateEmployer":"Mandatory: 10% on MSC above PHP 20,000 (employer share); Voluntary: N/A"},{"name":"PERA (Personal Equity and Retirement Account)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual retirement account under RA 9505 (PERA Act of 2008), expanded by the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA, RA 12214). Contributions earn a 5% annual income tax credit (up to PHP 10,000/year for residents; up to PHP 20,000/year for OFWs). All investment earnings within PERA are tax-exempt. Withdrawals at age 55 with at least 5 years of contributions are fully tax-free. Maximum annual contribution: PHP 200,000 for locally employed/self-employed; PHP 400,000 for Overseas Filipinos. BIR RMC No. 003-2026 (January 12, 2026) added new PERA-accredited UITFs to the approved investment product list. BIR RR No. 22-2025 (August 8, 2025) under CMEPA: private employers making voluntary contributions to employees' PERA are entitled to an additional 50% deduction from gross income (effective July 1, 2025 onwards), subject to conditions. Early withdrawal subject to penalty (minimum equal to tax incentives enjoyed). PERA assets are protected from creditors. Administered by BSP/SEC/IC-accredited institutions (banks, investment platforms including BDO, BPI Wealth, UnionBank, RCBC, DragonFi). PERA assets paid tax-free to beneficiaries upon death of contributor.","officialUrl":"https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/InclusiveFinance/PERA_FAQs_TaxCredit.aspx","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Age 55 with at least 5 years of contributions for tax-free qualified withdrawal","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary — up to PHP 200,000/year (residents) or PHP 400,000/year (OFWs)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary — employer contributions deductible from gross income plus additional 50% deduction under CMEPA (effective July 1, 2025); subject to same annual cap shared with employee"}],"cross_border_notes":["Compulsory SSS membership for all land-based and sea-based OFWs under Republic Act 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018); OFWs may continue contributions voluntarily while abroad at declared MSC (minimum PHP 8,000 for land-based OFWs)","Workers who contributed to both SSS (private sector) and GSIS (public sector) may claim pensions from both systems independently under the Portability Law (RA 7699)","Philippines has 16 bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs) enabling totalization of insurance periods and export of benefits; partner countries: Austria, UK/Northern Ireland, Spain, France, Canada, Quebec, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Luxembourg, South Korea","SSS pensions are payable worldwide with no frozen pension policy; uprated on same basis as domestic pensions — overseas pensioners benefit equally from the 2025–2027 Pension Reform Program","ACOP (Annual Confirmation of Pensioners) can be completed remotely via PhilSys facial authentication at sss.gov.ph (no My.SSS login required, launched March 2026), biometric liveness check on My.SSS app, video conference (MS Teams/Viber), email, or postal mail — no in-person embassy visit required","Philippines does not have a US–Philippines totalization agreement; US citizens working in the Philippines continue to owe US FICA taxes in full; Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 5, 2025) eliminated WEP/GPO reductions for those receiving foreign pensions alongside US Social Security","All SSS and GSIS pension income is fully tax-exempt under Philippine law (0% withholding); pension income is neither liable for taxes nor social security contributions per OECD 2024","PERA contributions by OFWs: maximum PHP 400,000/year with 5% tax credit (max PHP 20,000/year); PERA is non-transferable and protected from creditors; PERA assets paid tax-free to beneficiaries on death","MySSS Pension Booster (Voluntary/WISP Plus): open to OFWs and all SSS members; minimum PHP 500/payment; tax-free contributions and earnings; management fee waived 2025–2028; accessible via SSS collection partners abroad; ROI 6.83% (2025), 6.2% (Jan–May 2026)","SSS Pension Reform Program 2025–2027: 10% annual increase for retirement/disability pensioners and 5% for survivor pensioners (Tranche 1: September 2025; Tranche 2: advanced to June 2026; Tranche 3: September 2027); applies equally to overseas pensioners; projected to inject PHP 92.8 billion into economy","SSS and OFW Council of Leaders signed MOU on June 22, 2026 to promote social security coverage among OFWs in Saudi Arabia and their families"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://my.sss.gov.ph","title":"Register for or log in to My.SSS","detail":"SSS covers private-sector employees, the self-employed and voluntary members including OFWs."},{"n":2,"title":"Open your contribution record","detail":"It lists monthly contributions by employer. SSS pensions require 120 monthly contributions, so the count is what determines eligibility."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.gsis.gov.ph","title":"Check GSIS separately if you were a government employee","detail":"GSIS is an entirely separate system with its own record and its own portal."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.sss.gov.ph","title":"Consider continuing as a voluntary member","detail":"If you are short of 120 months, voluntary or OFW contributions can close the gap. SSS has representative offices in several countries with large Filipino communities."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph","title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep the PDF. Also check Pag-IBIG, which is a separate savings fund many members forget they contributed to."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"My.SSS registration fails from abroad","whatToDo":"SSS maintains overseas representative offices across ASEAN, the Middle East, North America and Europe; they can help with registration and records in person."},{"symptom":"Contributions are missing for a period you were employed","whatToDo":"Employers sometimes deducted without remitting. SSS investigates on a member's report, and payslips showing the deduction are the evidence."},{"symptom":"You have two SSS numbers","whatToDo":"Duplicates happen when someone re-registers. Ask SSS to merge them — leaving them separate can keep you below the 120-month threshold on paper."}],"portalUrl":"https://my.sss.gov.ph","portalName":"My.SSS","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your SSS number (and your GSIS number too, if you worked in the public sector — they are separate systems).","A My.SSS online account.","Your Philippine employers and dates, plus any periods as an overseas Filipino worker paying voluntarily."],"couldNotVerify":null,"documentNameLocal":"SSS contribution record","documentNameEnglish":"SSS contribution record"}},{"country":"Poland","country_code":"PL","continent":"europe","currency":"PLN","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Poland operates a three-pillar pension system fundamentally reformed in 1999. The dominant first pillar is a mandatory Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pay-as-you-go scheme administered by ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych – Social Insurance Institution). Individual accounts accumulate notional contributions indexed annually to the growth of the total wage bill; at retirement, the accumulated capital (including initial capital for pre-1999 periods) is divided by the GUS statistical life expectancy at the claimant's retirement age to determine the monthly pension. The second pillar consists of Open Pension Funds (OFE), privately managed funded DC accounts; since 2014 reforms, OFE participation is voluntary, with members electing to transfer 2.92% of gross salary to an OFE of their choice or keeping the entire mandatory contribution within ZUS. The third pillar encompasses voluntary occupational and individual savings: Employee Capital Plans (PPK, auto-enrolment since 2019 with employer, employee, and state co-contributions), Employee Pension Schemes (PPE, employer-established), and individual accounts IKE (tax-free withdrawals at 60+) and IKZE (tax-deductible contributions, 10% flat tax on withdrawal at 65+). Poland's projected future gross replacement rates are among the lowest in the OECD — below 30% for average-wage earners from mandatory schemes — driven by the NDC design, a 5-year gender gap in retirement age (60 for women, 65 for men), and rapid population ageing. The minimum pension from March 2026 is PLN 1,978.49 gross per month (indexed by 5.3% from March 2026), requiring 20 years of contributions for women and 25 years for men. From 2025, pensioners may combine a partial survivor pension with their own old-age pension, a significant new entitlement. Annual 13th and 14th pension bonus payments (financed from general revenues) supplement income for all pensioners.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.zus.pl","name":"ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych — Social Insurance Institution)"},{"url":"https://www.zus.pl/portal","name":"PUE ZUS (Electronic Services Platform)"},{"url":"https://www.mojeppk.pl","name":"PFR Portal PPK (Employee Capital Plans)"},{"url":"https://www.knf.gov.pl","name":"KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority — IKE/IKZE/OFE oversight)"},{"url":"https://www.biznes.gov.pl/en/portal/004113","name":"Biznes.gov.pl (Official entrepreneur social insurance guidance)"},{"url":"https://lang.zus.pl/legal-frameworks/international-legal-frameworks-binding-on-poland","name":"ZUS International Legal Frameworks"},{"url":"https://lang.zus.pl/benefits/general-information-about-old-age-pensions-and-other-pensions-from-fus/minimum-amounts-for-old-age-and-other-pensions","name":"ZUS Minimum Pension Amounts (Official)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/pl/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/pl","system_type":"NDC (Notional Defined Contribution) multi-pillar","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: ZUS NDC (mandatory PAYG, individual notional accounts); Pillar 2: OFE (funded DC, voluntary since 2014 — 2.92% of gross salary if elected); Pillar 3: PPK (auto-enrolment DC, employer+employee+state co-funded), PPE (voluntary occupational), IKE and IKZE (voluntary individual accounts)","replacement_rate_gross":"Below 30% (men and women, average wage, full career, mandatory schemes only) — OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025; net replacement rates: ~31.8% (women) / ~40.6% (men) at normal retirement age","min_qualifying_period":"20 years (women) / 25 years (men) for minimum guaranteed pension top-up; any contribution period generates some pension entitlement","min_qualifying_partial":"Any contributory period — pension calculated on accumulated capital even if below minimum; no minimum period for partial pension","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation EC 883/2004: insurance periods in all EU/EEA/Switzerland countries are aggregated with Polish periods for eligibility purposes. Bilateral agreements with non-EU countries (US, Canada, Australia, Ukraine, South Korea, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Turkey, Israel) provide similar aggregation. For NDC pension calculation, only Polish contribution periods and capital are used (no pro-rata for NDC); aggregation affects eligibility thresholds only. Each country pays its own pro-rata share under EU coordination.","totalization_partners":["All EU/EEA member states (via EC Regulation 883/2004)","Switzerland (via EU-CH agreement)","United Kingdom (via UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, effective 1 January 2021)","United States","Canada","Australia","South Korea","Ukraine","Belarus","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Montenegro","Serbia","North Macedonia","Moldova","Turkey","Israel"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total mandatory pension contribution is 19.52% (9.76% employee + 9.76% employer). Of this, 7.3% goes to the second pillar sub-account at ZUS (or 2.92% to OFE if elected + 4.38% to ZUS sub-account). The remaining 12.22% goes to the first pillar ZUS account. Annual contribution cap applies to pension and disability insurance only: PLN 260,190 in 2025; PLN 282,600 in 2026 (based on projected average salary of PLN 9,420). Health insurance (9%) has no upper cap. Self-employed may benefit from preferential 'small ZUS plus' contributions if income below PLN 120,000. Percentage rates are unchanged from 2025 to 2026 — only the contribution base increases annually.","employee_pct":"9.76% (pension) + 1.5% (disability) + 2.45% (sickness) + 9% (health, non-deductible from PIT) = 22.71% total employee deductions","employer_pct":"9.76% (pension) + 6.5% (disability) + 0.67–3.33% (accident, varies by risk) + 2.45% (Labour Fund) + 0.10% (FGŚP) = approx. 19.48–22.14% total employer cost","self_employed_pct":"19.52% pension on declared base (minimum 60% of projected average wage = PLN 5,652/month in 2026); annual pension/disability contribution cap: PLN 260,190 (2025), PLN 282,600 (2026). Full self-employed social contributions approximately PLN 1,927/month in 2026 (social only, excluding health). Preferential ZUS available for new businesses (first 2 years at 30% of minimum wage base = PLN 1,441.80 in 2026)."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"IKZE contributions must be made by 31 December of the tax year to qualify for PIT deduction in that year's return","available":true,"annual_cost":"IKE: up to PLN 28,260 (2026); IKZE: up to PLN 11,304 (individuals) / PLN 16,956 (self-employed) (2026); PPK: 2–4% employee + 1.5–4% employer of gross salary","eligibility_conditions":"IKE: open to anyone over 16; tax-free withdrawal at age 60 (or 55 with pension rights). IKZE: open to anyone over 16; contributions tax-deductible from PIT; 10% flat tax on withdrawal at 65+ after 5 years of contributions. PPK: employees aged 18–69 (auto-enrolled 18–54; opt-in 55–69); employer must establish PPK. PPE: employer-established; employer contributes up to 7% of gross salary. IKE/IKZE require PESEL number and Polish tax residency for full tax benefits."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No explicit bonus percentage. In the NDC system, deferring retirement increases the pension because: (1) more capital accumulates, and (2) the life expectancy divisor decreases (fewer expected years of payment). According to ZUS, each additional year of work increases the pension benefit by approximately 8–15%. Each additional month of contributions meaningfully increases the monthly pension amount.","early_reduction":"No explicit percentage reduction. In the NDC system, claiming earlier (e.g., women at 60 vs. 65) results in a lower pension because: (1) less capital is accumulated, and (2) the life expectancy divisor is larger (more years of expected payment). A 5-year earlier retirement for women reduces their pension by approximately 25% compared to men with the same earnings. Bridging pensions (emerytury pomostowe) allow early retirement for workers in hazardous/special conditions."},"access_options":{"notes":"ZUS (state NDC pension): monthly annuity for life, calculated from accumulated notional capital divided by life expectancy. Very small pensions may be paid as a lump sum or less frequently than monthly. OFE: upon retirement, OFE balances transfer to ZUS sub-account and are incorporated into the NDC pension calculation. PPK: at age 60, 25% lump sum + 75% in at least 120 monthly instalments (tax-exempt); full lump sum if total capital is below a statutory threshold; early withdrawal possible but subject to tax and return of state subsidies. IKE: lump sum or instalments, tax-free after age 60 (or 55 with pension rights). IKZE: lump sum or instalments, 10% flat tax after age 65 with 5+ years of contributions. From 2025, pensioners may combine a partial survivor pension with their own old-age pension.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"ZUS pension is payable worldwide to beneficiaries residing in EU/EEA countries and countries with bilateral agreements. Payment to a foreign bank account (IBAN) is available on application. For countries without agreements (non-contractual countries), payment is made in Poland only — to a Polish bank account or to an authorized person in Poland. PPK funds are accessible regardless of residency. Non-resident withholding tax of 20% applies to Polish pension income unless reduced by a double tax treaty."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"PPK lump sum (25% at age 60+): tax-exempt if conditions met. IKE lump sum: tax-free after age 60/55 with pension rights. IKZE lump sum: 10% flat PIT after age 65 with 5+ years contributions; early withdrawal taxed at standard PIT rates (12%/32%). OFE/ZUS: incorporated into monthly NDC pension, taxed as regular pension income under PIT.","special_tax_regimes":"PIT-0 exemption available from 2025 for recipients of retirement/disability pensions up to PLN 2,500/month (gross). IKZE contributions are deductible from PIT taxable income (up to annual limit: PLN 11,304 in 2026 for individuals, PLN 16,956 for self-employed). IKE withdrawals are exempt from capital gains tax after qualifying age. PPK withdrawals after age 60 (75%+ as instalments) are tax-exempt. Standard PIT rates in 2026: 12% (up to PLN 120,000/year) and 32% (above PLN 120,000/year), with PLN 30,000 annual tax-free allowance.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; many DTTs assign pension taxation to the country of residence, potentially reducing or eliminating Polish withholding. Tax residence certificate required to apply treaty rates.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Polish ZUS pension is a foreign pension for US tax purposes; reportable on US tax return. US-Poland income tax treaty (1974) and totalization agreement apply. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to IKE/IKZE/PPK accounts held abroad. WEP/GPO provisions repealed effective January 2025 (Social Security Fairness Act), benefiting Polish-American dual pensioners.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Government/ZUS pensions and private pensions are generally treated similarly for withholding purposes. Treaty provisions may differ for government service pensions vs. private pensions.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"20% flat rate on Polish-sourced pension/retirement income for non-residents (calculated on gross revenue, no cost deductions), unless reduced by applicable double tax treaty"},"indexation":{"notes":"Polish ZUS pensions are indexed annually (valorization) effective 1 March each year. The 2025 indexation rate was 5.82% (pensions increased by 5.82% from March 2025, with minimum pension rising to PLN 1,878.91). The 2026 indexation rate was 5.3% (minimum pension rising to PLN 1,978.49 from March 2026; average gross pension projected at approximately PLN 4,320). Pensions are paid at the indexed rate regardless of whether the beneficiary resides in Poland or abroad. The 13th and 14th pension payments (financed from general revenues) continue to supplement annual income for pensioners, aligned with the minimum pension amount.","method":"Annual valorization: CPI inflation + at least 20% of real wage growth (statutory minimum is CPI). NDC account balances are indexed to the growth rate of the total wage bill (contributions base). The notional interest rate on NDC accounts uses the growth rate of the total wage bill as a proxy for contribution base growth. In some years, flat-rate indexation (kwotowa waloryzacja) may guarantee a minimum PLN increase, proportionally favouring lower pensions.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU Regulation EC 883/2004 applies: insurance periods in EU/EEA/Switzerland are aggregated for eligibility; each country pays its own pro-rata pension. NDC individual accounts make cross-border tracking straightforward. Polish ZUS pensions are payable to foreign bank accounts (IBAN) in EU/EEA countries and bilateral agreement countries on application. For non-agreement (non-contractual) countries, payment is made in Poland only — to a Polish bank account or authorized person in Poland. PPK/IKE/IKZE funds remain in the individual's account regardless of residency and are accessible per scheme rules. OFE balances transfer to ZUS at retirement. No lump-sum withdrawal of ZUS contributions on departure (contributions remain until retirement age)."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to ZUS directly (in person at any ZUS office, by post, or online via PUE ZUS/eZUS platform) or through the social insurance institution in the country of residence (which forwards the claim to ZUS under EU coordination or bilateral agreement rules). The standard claim form is ZUS Rp-1E (Wniosek o emeryturę — Application for old-age pension) or ZUS-ER-WEC-01 for partial old-age pension. ZUS must decide within 30 days by law; in practice 2–3 months; up to 6 months if foreign documents are required. It is advisable to apply 3–4 months before reaching retirement age.","advance_timeline":"3–4 months before reaching retirement age","payment_frequency":"Monthly (on the payment day fixed in the ZUS decision). Very small pensions transferred abroad to EU Member States may be paid less frequently than monthly if the amount is below the minimum Polish pension.","required_documents":["Form ZUS Rp-1E (Wniosek o emeryturę — claim for old-age pension) or ZUS-ER-WEC-01 (partial old-age pension)","Valid identity document (passport or national ID card)","PESEL number (Polish statistical identification number) or, if not assigned, passport series and number","Employment records and work certificates (świadectwa pracy) for all periods of employment","ZUS Rp-7 form (employer certificate of earnings) for periods before 1999 (for initial capital calculation)","Salary documentation for periods before 1 January 1999","Foreign employment/insurance certificates (e.g., E205/P2000 forms or equivalent from EU/bilateral agreement countries)","Bank account details for payment transfer (including IBAN for foreign accounts)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"PUE ZUS (Electronic Services Platform, being modernized to eZUS) is accessible online from abroad. Access requires a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or Polish electronic banking credentials. The portal allows checking contribution history, projected pension amounts, submitting applications, and managing account details. Foreign residents without a Trusted Profile may need to use postal or in-person channels.","proof_of_life_notes":"ZUS sends an annual life certificate (form EMRG — zaświadczenie o życiu) in autumn to all foreign beneficiaries. The certificate must be confirmed by an authorized institution in the country of residence (e.g., local social security authority, notary, Polish consulate/embassy) and returned to ZUS. Failure to return the certificate may result in suspension of pension payments. ZUS is willing to restart payment upon receiving an emailed copy of the EMRG, though the original must also be mailed. Beneficiaries in the US may use the Polish Pension Help organization or mail directly to ZUS Warsaw (Wydział Realizacji Umów Międzynarodowych, ul. Senatorska 6/8, 00-917 Warszawa).","international_contact":{"phone":"ZUS International Agreements Department (Wydział Współpracy Międzynarodowej), ul. Kasprowicza 151, 01-949 Warszawa, Poland; email: wrum@zus.pl; phone: +48 22 560 16 00"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Polish (official); ZUS international department handles correspondence in other languages for cross-border cases","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"ZUS NDC (First Pillar)","type":"mandatory_public","description":"Mandatory pay-as-you-go Notional Defined Contribution scheme administered by ZUS. All employees and self-employed contribute 19.52% of gross salary (split equally: 9.76% employee, 9.76% employer). Contributions are credited to individual notional accounts and indexed annually to the growth rate of the total wage bill (and at minimum CPI). At retirement, accumulated capital (including initial capital for pre-1999 periods) is divided by the GUS statistical life expectancy table for the claimant's age to determine the monthly pension. The annual contribution assessment basis is capped (PLN 260,190 in 2025; PLN 282,600 in 2026). Minimum pension (from March 2026): PLN 1,978.49 gross/month, requiring 20 years (women) or 25 years (men) of contributions. Women under 65 who retire at 60 receive a temporary funded pension until age 65, at which point OFE sub-account funds are incorporated into the general NDC pension.","officialUrl":"https://www.zus.pl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Any contribution period generates some pension entitlement; minimum pension guarantee requires 20 years (women) / 25 years (men)","contributionRateEmployee":"9.76%","contributionRateEmployer":"9.76%"},{"name":"OFE (Open Pension Funds — Second Pillar)","type":"voluntary_funded_dc","description":"Privately managed funded defined contribution funds. Since 2014, participation is voluntary: members may elect to transfer 2.92% of their gross salary (out of the total 19.52% pension contribution) to a licensed OFE of their choice; otherwise the full contribution stays within ZUS. OFE funds are invested in capital markets. At end of 2024, there were eight OFEs in Poland with approximately 14.5 million members and a total investment portfolio of PLN 208.1 billion. Upon reaching retirement age, OFE balances are transferred to ZUS (to the sub-account) and factored into the NDC pension calculation. As of 2026, the OFE contribution rate remains at 2.92% of gross monthly remuneration for those who opt in. In practice, most working people in Poland now have all their mandatory pension savings in Pillar I (ZUS), as OFE participation has dropped sharply since 2014.","officialUrl":"https://www.knf.gov.pl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0% (funded from the overall 9.76% employee pension contribution)","contributionRateEmployer":"0% (funded from the overall 9.76% employer pension contribution; 2.92% diverted to OFE if elected)"},{"name":"PPK (Employee Capital Plans — Third Pillar)","type":"quasi_mandatory_occupational_dc","description":"Auto-enrolment defined contribution occupational savings scheme introduced in 2019, mandatory for all employers (with limited exceptions). Employees aged 18–54 are automatically enrolled; those aged 55–69 may join on request; those aged 70 and over cannot join. Employees may opt out at any time. Contributions come from three sources: employee (basic 2%, optional additional up to 4%); employer (basic 1.5%, optional additional up to 2.5%); and the state (PLN 250 welcome payment + PLN 240 annual bonus if minimum contribution threshold met). Employees earning less than 120% of minimum wage may reduce their contribution to as low as 0.5%. PPK funds are accessible at any time but tax-advantaged withdrawal (tax-exempt) requires age 60+, with at least 75% taken as instalments and up to 25% as a lump sum. Early withdrawal before 60 is subject to capital gains tax and return of state subsidies. Contribution rates have not changed since the programme was introduced. Auto-re-enrolment occurs every 4 years (next cycle: 2027). Employers with a PPE providing at least 3.5% employer contribution and 25%+ participation rate are exempt from establishing a PPK.","officialUrl":"https://www.mojeppk.pl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"2% basic (up to 4% voluntary); minimum 0.5% for low earners","contributionRateEmployer":"1.5% basic (up to 4% voluntary)"},{"name":"IKE / IKZE (Individual Retirement Accounts — Third Pillar)","type":"voluntary_individual","description":"IKE (Individual Retirement Account): voluntary individual savings account with annual contribution limit of PLN 26,019 in 2025 and PLN 28,260 in 2026 (3× projected average monthly salary). Withdrawals after age 60 (or 55 with pension rights) are fully tax-free (no capital gains tax). Early withdrawal subject to 19% capital gains tax. IKZE (Individual Retirement Security Account): voluntary individual account with tax-deductible contributions (deducted from PIT base). Annual limit PLN 10,407.60 in 2025 (PLN 15,611.40 for self-employed); PLN 11,304 in 2026 (PLN 16,956 for self-employed). Withdrawals after age 65 (with minimum 5 years of contributions) subject to a flat 10% PIT. Early withdrawal taxed at standard PIT rates. Both accounts are offered by banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and brokerage firms. PPE (Employee Pension Scheme): employer-established occupational scheme; employer contributions up to 7% of gross salary; employee additional contributions voluntary. PEPP (Pan-European Personal Pension Product) is also available in Poland, with the same annual limit as IKE.","officialUrl":"https://www.knf.gov.pl","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"IKE: age 60 (or 55 with pension rights) for tax-free withdrawal; IKZE: age 65 with minimum 5 years contributions","contributionRateEmployee":"IKE: up to PLN 28,260/year (2026); IKZE: up to PLN 11,304/year (2026) or PLN 16,956 for self-employed","contributionRateEmployer":"PPE: up to 7% of gross salary (employer only)"}],"cross_border_notes":["EU Regulation EC 883/2004 ensures equal treatment, aggregation of insurance periods, and full pension export within EU/EEA and Switzerland. Each country pays its own pro-rata share.","UK-Poland social security coordination continues under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (effective 1 January 2021), preserving aggregation and portability rights.","US-Poland Totalization Agreement (in force) prevents dual social security contributions and allows aggregation of US and Polish insurance periods for eligibility. NDC pensions are calculated solely on Polish contributions; US periods affect eligibility only.","Poland has bilateral social security agreements with: US, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Ukraine, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Turkey, and Israel.","Polish ZUS pensions are payable to foreign bank accounts (IBAN) in EU/EEA and bilateral agreement countries on application. For non-contractual countries (without agreements), payment is made in Poland only — to a Polish bank account or authorized person in Poland.","Non-resident withholding tax on Polish pension income is 20% (flat rate on gross), reducible under applicable double tax treaties. A tax residence certificate is required to apply treaty rates.","Annual proof of life (form EMRG) is required from all foreign beneficiaries; sent by ZUS in autumn and must be returned confirmed by an authorized local institution. ZUS may restart payments on receipt of an emailed copy, but the original must also be mailed.","PPK, IKE, and IKZE accounts remain accessible regardless of residency; funds can be withdrawn per scheme rules from abroad.","Self-employed persons in Poland pay pension contributions on a minimum base of 60% of projected average wage (PLN 5,652/month in 2026), resulting in significantly lower future pensions than employees — approximately 60% of the pension of an average-wage employee.","From 2025, Polish pensioners may combine a partial survivor pension with their own old-age pension (previously not permitted), improving income for widows/widowers.","WEP/GPO provisions in the US were repealed effective January 2025 (Social Security Fairness Act), benefiting Polish-American dual pensioners who previously faced US Social Security reductions due to their Polish ZUS pension.","Retirement age reform is actively debated in 2026 (proposals to raise to 62, 67, or 70 for certain professions), but the ZUS President confirmed in March 2026 that current law (60/65) stands until parliament acts. No changes are planned for 2026.","Foreigners working legally in Poland are treated identically to Polish citizens under ZUS law — no nationality-based distinction in contribution rates or future pension rights.","The next mandatory PPK auto-enrolment cycle is in early 2027, requiring employers to re-enrol all employees who had previously opted out."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.zus.pl","title":"Open the ZUS electronic services platform","detail":"ZUS is the Polish social insurance institution. PUE/eZUS is its authenticated portal for insured people."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in with Profil Zaufany or a bank identity","detail":"Profil Zaufany can be confirmed through Polish consulates, which is the usual route for people abroad."},{"n":3,"title":"Open your account statement (IOSKU)","detail":"ZUS sends this annually to insured people in Poland and it is available in the portal. It shows contributions recorded, indexed capital, and a projected pension."},{"n":4,"title":"Check pre-1999 periods","detail":"Contributions before the 1999 reform are represented as initial capital (kapitał początkowy). If yours has never been calculated, ask ZUS to do it — this is a frequent and material omission."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.mojeppk.pl","title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF. If you also have an employee capital plan (PPK) or an IKE/IKZE, those are separate from ZUS."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot set up Profil Zaufany from abroad","whatToDo":"Polish consulates confirm trusted profiles. ZUS also accepts written requests and has a dedicated department for international cases; the ZUS Rp-1E form route does not require an online identity."},{"symptom":"Your initial capital has never been calculated","whatToDo":"Submit the capital calculation request with employment certificates from before 1999. Old employers' successors or state archives can issue them."},{"symptom":"You worked in Poland without a PESEL","whatToDo":"ZUS assigns an insurance identifier regardless. Provide your passport details and employer, and ask ZUS to trace the account."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.zus.pl","portalName":"PUE ZUS / eZUS","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your PESEL number, or the insurance identifier used if you never had one.","A login: Profil Zaufany (trusted profile), a Polish bank identity, or a qualified electronic signature.","Your Polish employers and years, including any period of self-employment, which ZUS records differently."],"couldNotVerify":null,"documentNameLocal":"Informacja o stanie konta ubezpieczonego (IOSKU)","documentNameEnglish":"Statement of insured person's account"}},{"country":"Portugal","country_code":"PT","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":60,"retirement_age_full":66.75,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Portugal operates a social insurance pension system (Segurança Social) providing earnings-related pensions financed through pay-as-you-go (PAYG) contributions. The standard retirement age is dynamically linked to life expectancy under Decree-Law 187/2007: it stands at 66 years and 7 months in 2025, rising to 66 years and 9 months in 2026, and 66 years and 11 months in 2027. The OECD projects the age will reach 68 in the early 2040s. The pension formula is based on reference earnings (average of the entire contributory career from 2002 onwards, or best 40 years for those with more than 40 years of contributions) multiplied by an accrual rate of 2%–2.3% per year of contributions, capped at 40 years. A sustainability factor — 17.63% for 2026 early retirements (factor 0.8237) — permanently reduces pensions claimed before the standard age, reflecting the ratio of life expectancy at 65 in 2000 versus the year prior to retirement.\n\nThe system includes a tiered annual indexation formula based on CPI (excluding housing) and real GDP growth, with lower pensions receiving higher adjustments. The IAS (Social Support Index) for 2026 is €537.13 (up 2.80% from €522.50 in 2025). From January 2025, a new rule ensures pensions are updated in the year immediately following their grant (previously required a 2-year wait). Workers with long careers (40+ years of contributions at age 60) benefit from a personalised retirement age that reduces the statutory age by 4 months for each year of contributions above 40, potentially allowing penalty-free retirement before age 65. Those with 48 years of contributions at age 60, or 46 years starting before age 16, may retire without any sustainability factor penalty.\n\nComplementary voluntary occupational pension funds (Pillar 2) have limited coverage in Portugal. Individual retirement savings plans (PPR — Plano Poupança Reforma) form Pillar 3, offering tax deductions of 20% of annual contributions (up to €300–€400 depending on age) and a favourable 8% tax rate on qualifying withdrawals. Portugal has an extensive network of bilateral social security agreements covering EU/EEA countries, the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and others. The NHR tax regime (10% flat rate on foreign pensions) closed to new applicants from April 2025 and has been replaced by IFICI (NHR 2.0), which does not cover foreign pension income.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.seg-social.pt","name":"Segurança Social"},{"url":"https://app.seg-social.pt","name":"Segurança Social Direta (online portal)"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.pt/en/servicos/requerer-a-pensao-de-velhice","name":"Gov.pt — Request Old-Age Pension"},{"url":"https://www.cga.pt","name":"Caixa Geral de Aposentações (CGA — civil servants)"},{"url":"https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt","name":"Portal das Finanças (tax authority)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/pt/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/pt","system_type":"Social insurance / earnings-related / defined-benefit PAYG","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Segurança Social — Regime Geral (mandatory, PAYG DB); Pillar 2: Occupational pension funds (voluntary, limited coverage); Pillar 3: PPR individual savings plans (voluntary, tax-advantaged)","replacement_rate_gross":"≥70% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025)","min_qualifying_period":"15 calendar years (180 months) of remuneration record","min_qualifying_partial":"15 years minimum; 144 months for Voluntary Social Insurance (SSV) coverage","aggregation_rules":"EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates contribution periods across EU/EEA/Switzerland. Bilateral agreements allow aggregation with non-EU partners (US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Mozambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, Timor-Leste, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Morocco, Tunisia, Chile, and others). Minimum 12 months of Portuguese coverage required to invoke totalization with the US; minimum 1 year for Portuguese benefit eligibility under most bilateral agreements. Portugal and Spain are also party to the 2011 Ibero-American multilateral social security agreement.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA","CH","US","AU","BR","CA","CV","MZ","ST","TL","AR","UY","VE","MA","TN","CL"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Combined rate of 34.75% of gross earnings; no annual contribution ceiling. Of the total, 20.21% finances old-age pensions. Contracting entities pay 7% (economic dependence 50–80%) or 10% (economic dependence above 80%) for economically dependent self-employed workers. Board members (non-managing): 9.3% employee / 20.3% employer. Contributions apply to all income types including bonuses and 13th/14th month payments. Self-employed exempt from contributions in first 12 months of activity. National minimum wage in 2026: €920/month (up from €870 in 2025).","employee_pct":"11%","employer_pct":"23.75%","self_employed_pct":"21.4% (on 70% of declared income for services; 20% of income for goods/production activities; 25.2% for individual entrepreneurs and single-member LLC holders)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"Seguro Social Voluntário (Voluntary Social Insurance) available for Portuguese nationals aged 18+ not mandatorily covered, including expats working abroad not covered by a bilateral agreement, social volunteers, research fellows, volunteer firefighters, high-performance athletes, and informal main caregivers. Requires 144 months of contributions for old-age pension eligibility under this scheme."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+0.33% per month of deferral for 15–24 years of contributions; +0.5% for 25–34 years; +0.65% for 35–39 years; +1% per month for 40+ years of contributions. Maximum pension capped at 92% of reference remuneration.","early_reduction":"-0.5% per month before personal retirement age (PRA); plus sustainability factor of 17.63% in 2026 (factor 0.8237, based on ratio of life expectancy at 65 in 2000 [16.63 years] vs. 2025 [20.19 years]). Sustainability factor in 2025 was 16.9% (factor 0.8307). Exemptions from sustainability factor: workers with 48 years of contributions at age 60; workers with 46 years of contributions starting before age 16; workers in recognised arduous/wear-and-tear professions. Workers with 40+ years at age 60 (flexibility scheme) are exempt from sustainability factor but still subject to 0.5%/month early retirement penalty."},"access_options":{"notes":"State pension (Segurança Social Regime Geral): lifetime monthly annuity only; no lump sum. Paid in 14 monthly instalments per year (including holiday and Christmas supplements). PPR (Plano Poupança Reforma): lump sum or annuity at retirement; qualifying withdrawals taxed at 8%. Occupational pension funds: typically annuity; lump sum interest portion taxed as investment income at 28%. Employment is permitted without earnings limit after retirement; continued contributions increase pension by applicable accrual rate per year of earnings.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension payable worldwide. EU portability applies under Regulation 883/2004. Non-resident withholding tax of 25% applies to Portuguese-sourced pension income, subject to DTA relief. NHR regime (10% flat rate on foreign pensions) fully closed to new applicants from April 2025; existing NHR holders retain benefits until end of their 10-year period (latest Dec 31, 2033). IFICI (NHR 2.0, effective Jan 1, 2024) does NOT cover foreign pension income — pensions taxed at standard progressive rates (14.5%–53%) under the new regime."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"State pension: lump sum not available. PPR lump sum: qualifying withdrawals taxed at 8% (after 5 years with 35% invested in first half of contract, or at retirement age/age 60+). Non-qualifying PPR withdrawals: higher rates apply (up to 21.5% depending on holding period). Occupational pension lump sums: interest portion taxed as investment income at 28%.","special_tax_regimes":"NHR regime (10% flat rate on foreign pensions): fully closed to new applicants from April 1, 2025; existing NHR holders retain status until end of their 10-year period (latest Dec 31, 2033). IFICI/ITS (NHR 2.0, effective Jan 1, 2024): 20% flat rate on qualifying Portuguese-sourced employment/self-employment income in strategic sectors (science, technology, healthcare, research, innovation); does NOT cover foreign pension income — pensions taxed at standard progressive rates. Returning resident regime: 5-year partial exemption for former residents returning to Portugal. Youth IRS: partial PIT exemption (100% year 1, 75% years 2–4, 50% years 5–7, 25% years 8–10, capped at 55x IAS = €29,542.15 in 2026) for workers under 35 in first 10 years of employment/self-employment income.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA; Portugal has DTAs with approximately 78–80+ countries. Under the US-Portugal tax treaty, US Social Security benefits are generally taxable only in the country of residence (i.e., Portugal for Portuguese residents).","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"FBAR required if Portuguese accounts exceed $10,000 combined value. US-Portugal totalization agreement (in force since August 1, 1989) prevents dual Social Security taxation. US citizens remain subject to US worldwide taxation; Foreign Tax Credit typically used to eliminate double taxation. Social Security Fairness Act signed January 5, 2025 — WEP/GPO provisions repealed retroactive to January 2024, increasing US benefits for those also receiving Portuguese pensions; SSA has paid approximately $17 billion in retroactive increases.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Government pensions (CGA) and Segurança Social pensions taxed as Category H income at progressive rates (14.5%–48%, plus solidarity surcharges of 2.5%–5% above €80,000) for residents. Non-residents subject to 25% flat withholding on Portuguese-sourced pension income. Occupational pension annuities taxable if contributions were tax-exempt; only interest portion taxable if funded with after-tax income (taxed at 28% as investment income).","nonresident_withholding_pct":"25%"},"indexation":{"notes":"IAS (Social Support Index) for 2026 = €537.13 (up 2.80% from €522.50 in 2025), enacted by Ministerial Order 480-A/2025/1 of December 30, 2025. Pensions paid in 14 monthly instalments (including holiday and Christmas supplements). Indexation rule has been suspended or modified in approximately half of years since 2008.","method":"Annual update in January based on: (1) average CPI excluding housing over last 12 months available in November; (2) average real GDP growth over last 2 years ending Q3 of prior year. Three brackets for 2026: lowest pensions (up to 2x IAS, ~€1,074.26) receive CPI + GDP component (2.80%); intermediate pensions (2–6x IAS, ~€1,074.26–€3,222.78) receive CPI only (2.27%); highest pensions (6–12x IAS, ~€3,222.78–€6,445.56) receive CPI minus 0.25pp (2.02%); pensions above 12x IAS (~€6,445.56) remain frozen. From January 2025, pensions are updated in the year immediately following their grant (previously required 2-year wait). Nominal pension value cannot decrease. Extraordinary supplements may be paid in addition to regular updates (parliament approved a conditional clause in 2026 State Budget for potential mid-year bonus for low pensions).","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates periods across all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. CPLP multilateral convention covers Portuguese-speaking countries (signed by nine countries; ratification ongoing). Ibero-American multilateral social security agreement (2011) covers Portugal, Spain, and Latin American signatories. Bilateral agreements with US (in force since August 1, 1989), Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Mozambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, Timor-Leste, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Morocco, Tunisia, Chile, and others. Portuguese state pension is payable worldwide without reduction for country of residence."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply via Segurança Social Direta online portal (app.seg-social.pt), in person at any Segurança Social office, or through equivalent social security institutions in EU/bilateral agreement countries. Citizens residing abroad in EU countries or countries with bilateral agreements can apply through local equivalent institutions. Application must be submitted no more than 3 months before the desired pension start date. A provisional pension is awarded based on available contribution records and revised to a definitive amount retroactively once confirmed.","advance_timeline":"No more than 3 months before desired start date","payment_frequency":"Monthly (14 payments per year including holiday and Christmas supplements)","required_documents":["Valid ID or passport (Citizen Card, ID card, or passport)","Portuguese tax number (NIF)","Portuguese Social Security identification number (NISS)","Contribution record / career transcript (obtainable via Segurança Social Direta)","Bank account IBAN (account holder must be the applicant)","Proof of residence","Declaration of Professional Activity Exercised (Mod. RP 5023-DGSS) for early retirement","Documents proving compulsory military service periods (if applicable)","Form RP 5002 DGSS if claiming with foreign contribution periods"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Segurança Social Direta (app.seg-social.pt) is accessible internationally for pension applications, status tracking, career transcripts, proof of life submission (with or without authentication), and various declarations. Digital Proof of Life also available via Social Security App. Social Security attachés at Portuguese embassies and consulates can assist with pension processes.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual Prova de Vida (Proof of Life) required under Portaria 274/2025/1 (July 31, 2025) and Decree-Law 40/2025 of March 26. Submission window: May 1 – September 15 each year (non-compliance results in suspension from November of that year). Phased rollout: 2025 applied to pensioners over normal retirement age in Switzerland and Luxembourg; 2026 applies to pensioners aged 66y 9m+ residing in Belgium, Canada, Cape Verde, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Switzerland; from 2027 applies to all pensioners residing abroad. Methods: (1) digitally via Segurança Social Direta portal or Social Security App (biometric facial verification against ID photo — with or without login); (2) in person at Portuguese embassy or consulate (free of charge); (3) documentation from reputable local authority (foreign social security equivalent, court, notary, local authority, or health establishment). CGA pensioners abroad receive postal notification by end of February each year; deadline for CGA is April 30. Contact: Centro Nacional de Pensões (CNP), ISS-IInternacionais@seg-social.pt, +351 300 502 502.","international_contact":{"phone":"Centro Nacional de Pensoes (CNP), ISS-IInternacionais@seg-social.pt, +351 300 502 502"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Portuguese (official); some consular services available in local languages","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Segurança Social — Regime Geral","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related PAYG defined-benefit scheme covering all employees, self-employed, and civil servants (new entrants since 2006). Pension based on average of entire contributory career (from 2002 onwards; best 40 years for those with 40+ years of contributions), multiplied by accrual rate of 2% per year for up to 20 years of contributions, and 2%–2.3% per year (depending on earnings relative to IAS brackets) for 21+ years, capped at 40 years. Maximum pension is 92% of reference remuneration. Sustainability factor applies to early retirement (17.63% in 2026). Minimum pension guaranteed for those with 15+ years of contributions.","officialUrl":"https://www.seg-social.pt","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 calendar years (180 months) of remuneration record, consecutive or not","contributionRateEmployee":"11%","contributionRateEmployer":"23.75%"},{"name":"PPR (Plano Poupança Reforma)","type":"private","description":"Individual voluntary retirement savings plans with significant tax benefits. Annual contributions deductible at 20% of amount invested (up to €400 for under-35s, €350 for 35–50, €300 for 50+; not available to taxpayers with income above €80,000 or those already retired). Qualifying withdrawals (at retirement age, age 60+, or after 5 years with 35% invested in first half of contract) taxed at favourable 8% rate. Non-qualifying withdrawals taxed at higher rates (up to 21.5% depending on holding period). Lump sum or annuity available at retirement.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 5 years before penalty-free withdrawal (with 35% of contributions in first half of contract); immediate access in cases of long-term unemployment, serious illness, or death","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A (employer contributions possible on behalf of employees)"},{"name":"Occupational Pension Funds (Fundos de Pensões)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored defined benefit or defined contribution schemes with limited coverage in Portugal (approximately 3.7% of workforce). Employer contributions to pension funds are PIT-exempt at the time of contribution (subject to conditions; deductible up to 15% of salary). Annuities from pension funds are taxable income if contributions were tax-exempt; lump sum interest portion taxed as investment income at 28%. CGA (Caixa Geral de Aposentações) covers civil servants hired before 2006; closed to new entrants since 2006.","officialUrl":"https://www.cga.pt","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by scheme","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies (deductible up to 15% of salary)"}],"cross_border_notes":["Retirement age is dynamically linked to life expectancy under Decree-Law 187/2007: 66y 7m in 2025, 66y 9m in 2026, 66y 11m in 2027 — all confirmed by official government decrees (Portaria 476/2025/1 for 2027). OECD projects age will reach 68 in the early 2040s.","Sustainability factor for early retirement: 17.63% in 2026 (factor 0.8237, based on life expectancy at 65 of 16.63 years in 2000 vs. 20.19 years in 2025), up from 16.9% in 2025 and 15.8% in 2024. Applied as a permanent pension reduction on top of the 0.5%/month early retirement penalty.","Exemptions from sustainability factor: workers with 48 years of contributions at age 60; workers with 46 years of contributions starting before age 16; workers in recognised arduous/wear-and-tear professions. Workers with 40+ years at age 60 (flexibility scheme) exempt from sustainability factor but still subject to 0.5%/month early retirement penalty.","NHR regime (10% flat rate on foreign pensions) fully closed to new applicants from April 1, 2025; existing NHR holders retain benefits until end of their 10-year period (latest Dec 31, 2033).","IFICI/ITS (NHR 2.0, effective Jan 1, 2024) does NOT cover foreign pension income — pensions taxed at standard progressive rates (14.5%–53%) under the new regime. IFICI targets highly qualified professionals in science, technology, healthcare, research, and innovation sectors only.","Non-resident withholding on Portuguese-sourced pension income is 25%; reduced rates available under applicable DTAs (Portugal has DTAs with approximately 78–80+ countries).","US Social Security Fairness Act (signed Jan 5, 2025, retroactive to January 2024) repealed WEP/GPO — US citizens receiving both US Social Security and Portuguese pensions may see increased US benefits; SSA has paid approximately $17 billion in retroactive increases.","Annual Prova de Vida (proof of life) regulated by Portaria 274/2025/1 and Decree-Law 40/2025; digital submission via Segurança Social Direta or Social Security App (biometric verification) available without login. Phased rollout: 2026 covers Belgium, Canada, Cape Verde, Luxembourg, Netherlands, UK, Switzerland; from 2027 applies to all overseas pensioners.","From January 2025, pensions are updated in the year immediately following their grant (previously required a 2-year wait before first indexation). Pensions granted in 2024 received their first update in January 2025.","IAS for 2026 = €537.13 (up 2.80% from €522.50 in 2025), enacted by Ministerial Order 480-A/2025/1 of December 30, 2025. Pension indexation for 2026: +2.80% for pensions up to ~€1,074; +2.27% for €1,074–€3,223; +2.02% for €3,223–€6,446; frozen above €6,446.","PPR lump sum withdrawals at retirement or age 60+ (after 5 years, with 35% invested in first half of contract) taxed at favourable 8% rate. PPR tax deduction: 20% of contributions, capped at €400 (under 35), €350 (35–50), €300 (over 50); not available to taxpayers with income above €80,000 or those already retired.","Portugal participates in EU Framework Agreement for cross-border teleworkers' social security coordination. Portugal and Spain are also party to the 2011 Ibero-American multilateral social security agreement.","National minimum wage in 2026: €920/month gross (up from €870 in 2025), per Decree-Law 139/2025 of December 29. Government roadmap targets €1,020 by 2028."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://app.seg-social.pt","title":"Open Segurança Social Direta","detail":"SSD is the authenticated portal for the Portuguese social security system."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in with your NISS and password","detail":"Chave Móvel Digital also works and can be associated with a foreign phone number, which helps after moving."},{"n":3,"title":"Open your contribution career","detail":"The record shows registered earnings by month and employer. Portuguese pensions depend on the best years of a long reference period, so the earnings figures matter as much as the count of years."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.cga.pt","title":"Check CGA if you were a public servant","detail":"Caixa Geral de Aposentações administers civil-service pensions and keeps its own records."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"Download the PDF and keep the reference of any correction you request."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You never received an SSD password, or it lapsed","whatToDo":"Request a new one through the portal; it is posted to your registered address, so update that address first. Portuguese consulates also assist citizens abroad with social security matters."},{"symptom":"Earnings are missing for a period you worked","whatToDo":"Employers declare monthly; omissions happen with short contracts. Payslips are the evidence, and Segurança Social has a formal correction request."},{"symptom":"You do not know your NISS","whatToDo":"It appears on Portuguese payslips and social security correspondence. It can also be requested with your identification documents."}],"portalUrl":"https://app.seg-social.pt","portalName":"Segurança Social Direta","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social).","A Segurança Social Direta password, or Chave Móvel Digital. The SSD password is issued by post, so allow time if you need one sent abroad.","Your Portuguese employers and years; if you were a civil servant, your record is with CGA rather than Segurança Social."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether an SSD activation letter is currently posted to non-Portuguese addresses.","documentNameLocal":"Extrato de remunerações / carreira contributiva","documentNameEnglish":"Contribution and earnings record"}},{"country":"Qatar","country_code":"QA","continent":"asia","currency":"QAR","retirement_age_early":50,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Qatar operates a mandatory defined benefit social insurance system administered by the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA), which launched its new corporate identity and comprehensive strategy under the brand name 'Daman' on 30 November 2025. The system is governed by Social Insurance Law No. 1 of 2022 (effective 3 January 2023), which replaced the earlier Retirement and Pensions Law No. 24 of 2002. The 2022 reform significantly expanded coverage to all Qatari nationals in both the public and private sectors (aged 18+, with employment contracts of at least one year), raised total contribution rates from 15% to 21% of the contributory wage (basic salary + social allowance + housing allowance, capped at QAR 100,000/month), increased the minimum retirement age from 40 to 50 years, and raised the minimum qualifying service period from 15 to 25 years. Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025 (issued 13 February 2025) provides detailed implementing regulations covering registration, contribution calculations, pension settlements (to be processed within 7 days), compliance requirements, and digital transformation. Cabinet Resolution No. 30/2025 restructured GRSIA's internal Pension Affairs Sector. Cabinet Decision No. 11/2024 (June 2024) introduced transitional early retirement provisions for those born in 1983 or earlier.\n\nThe system provides old-age, disability, and survivor pensions exclusively to Qatari nationals (and GCC nationals under reciprocal GCC arrangements). Non-Qatari expatriate workers are entirely excluded from the pension system and instead receive End-of-Service Gratuity under Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. The minimum monthly pension for public sector retirees is QAR 15,000, plus a housing supplement of up to QAR 6,000. Bonuses apply for service exceeding 30 years. Self-employed Qatari nationals may opt in voluntarily at a 21% contribution rate. The QFC Employment Regulations were also amended in 2025 to clarify that Qatari and eligible GCC national employees at QFC firms must be enrolled with GRSIA.\n\nQatar has no personal income tax, so pension payments are not subject to domestic income tax. Qatar has signed over 90 double taxation agreements (DTAs) with international partners. Key recent DTA developments include: the Qatar-Saudi Arabia DTA ratified by Qatar on 15 January 2025 (Decree No. 1/2025); the Qatar-UAE DTA ratified by Qatar via Emiri Decree No. 39/2026 (UAE ratified April 2025, pending exchange of instruments for entry into force); the Qatar-Kuwait DTA signed 1 June 2025, entered into force 6 October 2025 (applies from 1 January 2026); and the Qatar-India DTA signed 18 February 2025, entered into force 10 September 2025. The GRSIA/Daman digital portal and mobile app (featuring AI assistant 'Sara', video call access to live representatives, and the 'Al Safwa' retiree discount programme) are accessible internationally.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.daman.gov.qa","name":"GRSIA / Daman Official Website"},{"url":"https://g2c.daman.gov.qa","name":"GRSIA Digital Services Portal (G2C)"},{"url":"https://gta.gov.qa","name":"Qatar General Tax Authority (for DTA information)"},{"url":"https://www.qfc.qa/en/resource-centre/double-taxation-agreements","name":"Qatar Financial Centre — Double Taxation Agreements"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/qa/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/qa","system_type":"Bismarckian (Social Insurance)","pillar_structure":"Single mandatory pillar — public defined benefit social insurance system administered by GRSIA (branded 'Daman'). No mandatory second or third pillar; voluntary opt-in available for self-employed Qatari nationals. Non-nationals rely on End-of-Service Gratuity under Labour Law.","replacement_rate_gross":"Minimum 75% of pensionable salary; maximum 100% of pensionable salary. Calculated as 5% of average pensionable salary × years of contributions (public sector: last salary; private sector: average of final 3 years). Minimum monthly pension QAR 15,000 for public sector plus housing supplement up to QAR 6,000.","min_qualifying_period":"25 years total contributory period (including at least 20 years of actual service), with minimum age of 50","min_qualifying_partial":"Lump-sum compensation payable if service ends without meeting full pension conditions (at age 50 or on disability); transitional provisions under Cabinet Decision No. 11/2024 allow reduced thresholds for those born 1983 or earlier (minimum 17 years subscription, 12 years actual service, age 42); for those born in 1984, minimum 19 years subscription and 14 years actual service, with gradual increases thereafter","aggregation_rules":"Service periods aggregated across public and private sector employment within Qatar. GCC nationals may aggregate service across GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) under the GCC Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension (Qatar Law No. 4/2007, in force since 1 January 2007). When an employee transfers between employers in Qatar, the new employer must ensure continuity of social insurance coverage without interruption (per Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025). GRSIA's Subscribers Department monitors and reviews the transfer of contributions between civil pension and social insurance authorities for Qataris working in GCC countries and GCC citizens working in Qatar.","totalization_partners":["Saudi Arabia","United Arab Emirates","Oman","Bahrain","Kuwait"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total contribution rate is 21% of the contributory wage (basic salary + social allowance + housing allowance), effective 3 January 2023 under Social Insurance Law No. 1 of 2022. Contributions are capped at a maximum contributory wage of QAR 100,000/month (housing allowance component capped at QAR 6,000/month for employer contribution purposes; excess housing allowance above QAR 6,000 is borne by the employee). Contributions must be remitted to GRSIA by the 5th day of the following month. Applies to Qatari nationals and GCC nationals (at their home-country rate) in both public and private sectors. Non-Qatari expatriates are NOT eligible and are excluded from the pension system.","employee_pct":"7%","employer_pct":"14%","self_employed_pct":"21% (voluntary; self-employed Qatari nationals pay the full combined rate)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":null,"available":true,"annual_cost":"21% of estimated monthly income (self-employed Qatari nationals only, subject to income bracket system set by GRSIA)","benefit_per_year":null,"eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary coverage available to self-employed Qatari nationals under the income bracket system specified by GRSIA. Mandatory for employed Qatari nationals aged 18+ with permanent employment contracts of at least one year. Military personnel and those in approved private pension schemes with superior benefits may be exempt."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Bonus payable for each year of service exceeding 30 years (up to a maximum of 10 additional years): one pension account salary per year for years 31–35, and two pension account salaries per year for years 36–40. Bonus capped at 50% of total premiums paid to the fund and subject to the QAR 100,000 contributory wage ceiling.","early_reduction":"2.5% reduction per year between date of service termination and date of retirement age (for resignation or dismissal cases where pension is deferred to age 50). Under the previous Law No. 24/2002, reduction was 2% (resignation) to 2.5% (disciplinary dismissal) per year before normal retirement age."},"access_options":{"notes":"Primary benefit is a monthly annuity for life. A lump-sum compensation is available where service ends without meeting full pension conditions: payable within 30 days of application once the insured reaches age 50 or becomes disabled. Lump sum calculated as pension account salary × years of subscription, capped at 150% of the insured's own contributions (120% if under age 50). Pensioners may also obtain advances of up to 5× their monthly pension (maximum QAR 300,000), repayable over up to 5 years, available twice during retirement, as introduced under Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025. Minimum monthly pension for public sector: QAR 15,000 plus housing supplement up to QAR 6,000. If a pensioner returns to work in the private sector without making further contributions, their pension is added to their salary.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Non-Qatari expatriates are not entitled to pension system benefits or refunds on departure. Expatriates are instead covered by End-of-Service Gratuity (3 weeks basic salary per year of service for the first 5 years, then higher rates) under Labour Law No. 14 of 2004."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump-sum compensation (paid where full pension conditions are not met) is not subject to Qatari income tax. Tax treatment in the recipient's country of residence depends on that country's domestic law and any applicable DTA with Qatar.","special_tax_regimes":"Qatar has no personal income tax. Qatar has signed over 90 DTAs covering corporate and certain withholding taxes. Key 2024–2026 DTA developments: Qatar-Saudi Arabia DTA (signed 30 May 2024, ratified by Qatar 15 January 2025, published 13 February 2025); Qatar-UAE DTA (signed 30 May 2024, ratified by UAE April 2025, ratified by Qatar via Emiri Decree No. 39/2026, pending exchange of instruments); Qatar-Kuwait DTA (signed 1 June 2025, entered into force 6 October 2025, applies from 1 January 2026); Qatar-India DTA (signed 18 February 2025, entered into force 10 September 2025). Qatar is a signatory to the OECD Multilateral Instrument (MLI).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; Qatar has signed over 90 DTAs. Key recent developments: Qatar-Saudi Arabia DTA ratified by Qatar on 15 January 2025 (Decree No. 1/2025), published in Official Gazette 13 February 2025; Qatar-UAE DTA ratified by Qatar via Emiri Decree No. 39/2026 (UAE ratified April 2025), pending exchange of ratification instruments for entry into force; Qatar-Kuwait DTA entered into force 6 October 2025 (applies from 1 January 2026); Qatar-India DTA entered into force 10 September 2025. Typical withholding rates on other income types range 0–15% depending on the specific agreement.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Qatar has no totalization agreement with the United States. US persons receiving a Qatari pension may have FBAR/FATCA reporting obligations depending on account values and structure. Qatar pension payments are generally taxable as foreign pension income for US tax purposes. No US-Qatar tax treaty exists.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"The pension system applies to Qatari nationals (and GCC nationals under reciprocal rules) in both public and private sectors. Non-Qatari expatriates are entirely excluded from the pension system. No personal income tax applies to any pension payments in Qatar.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% — Qatar has no personal income tax; pension payments are not subject to Qatari income tax for residents or non-residents"},"indexation":{"notes":"Qatar's pension system does not have a formal statutory indexation mechanism linking pension payments to inflation or wage growth. Pension amounts are set at retirement based on the pensionable salary formula and are not automatically uprated. Pensions are paid in QAR; overseas recipients bear currency exchange risk. No evidence of cost-of-living adjustments for pensions paid abroad.","method":"No formal indexation; pension fixed at retirement based on final/average pensionable salary formula","abroad_status":"frozen"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Reciprocal portability under the GCC Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension (Qatar Law No. 4/2007, compulsory from 1 January 2007) covering all six GCC states: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. GCC nationals working in Qatar contribute at their home-country rate. Service periods in GCC member states can be aggregated for qualifying purposes. GRSIA's Subscribers Department monitors and reviews contribution transfers between civil pension and social insurance authorities for Qataris working in GCC countries and GCC citizens working in Qatar. No bilateral portability agreements with non-GCC countries. Non-Qatari, non-GCC nationals have no portability rights."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Applications for retirement pension are submitted to GRSIA (operating as 'Daman') via the official digital portal (daman.gov.qa or g2c.daman.gov.qa), the Daman mobile app, or in person at GRSIA offices in Doha. The employer must notify GRSIA of the employee's service termination and update employee data within 30 days of any changes. Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025 sets out detailed procedures for pension settlement, with claims to be processed within 7 days. Recalculations are allowed to correct discrepancies, including special rules for disability cases and caregiving resignations. Lump-sum compensation requests must be submitted within 30 days of service termination for continuity of service to be preserved. Employers must appoint a compliance liaison officer.","advance_timeline":"Recommend initiating the application process at least 3–6 months before intended retirement date to allow for data verification and processing","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Qatari national ID (or GCC national ID for GCC nationals)","Passport","Employment history records / service record from employer","Birth certificate","Marriage certificate (if applicable, for survivor/dependent benefits)","Proof of dependent status (for survivor benefits)","Bank account details (IBAN) for pension payment","Medical committee assessment report (for disability pension claims)","Employer termination/end-of-service notification to GRSIA"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"The Daman portal (daman.gov.qa) and Daman mobile app are accessible internationally. The app (relaunched under the Daman brand in November 2025) features biometric login (FaceID/TouchID), AI assistant 'Sara' for instant guidance on laws and calculations and certificate issuance (with Q-Post home delivery option), video call access to live GRSIA representatives, an all-in-one dashboard, and the 'Al Safwa' discount programme for retirees via a digital card with QR code redemption.","proof_of_life_notes":"No formal annual proof-of-life requirement identified in published regulations. Payment continuity is managed through the beneficiary register. The Daman app and digital portal provide ongoing account management. GRSIA's Retirement Department monitors pensioner status and coordinates with relevant authorities regarding cases of death, return to work, and changes in marital status.","international_contact":{"email":"twasul@grsia.gov.qa","hours":"Saturday-Thursday (Sunday in some regions), check website for current hours","phone":"+974 4409-0000","postal_address":"Building Mohammed Bin Thani Service Road, Bin Omran Area, Al Rayyan 24484, Qatar"},"proof_of_life_required":false,"correspondence_language":"Arabic (primary); English supported through digital portal and Daman app","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"National Social Insurance Scheme (GRSIA / Daman)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory defined benefit social insurance scheme covering old-age, disability, and survivor pensions for Qatari nationals (and GCC nationals under reciprocal arrangements) in both public and private sectors. Governed by Social Insurance Law No. 1 of 2022 (effective 3 January 2023) and Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025 (Implementing Regulations, issued 13 February 2025). Provides a minimum monthly pension of QAR 15,000 for public sector retirees plus housing supplement up to QAR 6,000. Bonus payable for service exceeding 30 years. Pension settlement claims processed within 7 days under the 2025 regulations. QFC Employment Regulations amended in 2025 to confirm GRSIA coverage for Qatari and eligible GCC national employees at QFC firms.","officialUrl":"https://www.daman.gov.qa","vestingYears":25,"vestingPeriod":"25 years total contributory period (including at least 20 years of actual service) required for full pension entitlement; minimum age 50","contributionRateEmployee":"7%","contributionRateEmployer":"14%"}],"cross_border_notes":["Qatar's pension system covers only Qatari nationals and GCC nationals (under reciprocal GCC arrangements); all non-GCC expatriates are excluded from the pension system entirely.","GCC portability is governed by Qatar Law No. 4/2007 (implementing the GCC Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension, compulsory from 1 January 2007), allowing aggregation of service periods across all six GCC states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE).","Non-Qatari expatriates receive End-of-Service Gratuity under Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 upon departure — this is not a pension but a one-time lump-sum payment.","Qatar has no totalization agreement with the United States; US persons in Qatar have no mechanism to avoid dual social security obligations, though in practice Qatar's system only covers nationals.","Qatar-Saudi Arabia DTA: signed 30 May 2024, ratified by Qatar on 15 January 2025 (Decree No. 1/2025), published in Qatar's Official Gazette on 13 February 2025; entry into force pending exchange of ratification instruments with Saudi Arabia.","Qatar-UAE DTA: signed 30 May 2024, ratified by UAE in April 2025, ratified by Qatar via Emiri Decree No. 39/2026; entry into force pending exchange of ratification instruments through diplomatic channels.","Qatar-Kuwait DTA: signed 1 June 2025, ratified by Kuwait on 5 October 2025 (Decree-Law No. 142/2025); entered into force 6 October 2025; applies from 1 January 2026.","Qatar-India DTA: new treaty signed 18 February 2025, entered into force 10 September 2025; replaces the 1999 treaty and incorporates BEPS/MLI measures.","Qatar has signed over 90 DTAs with international partners covering corporate and withholding taxes; there is no personal income tax in Qatar, so pension payments sourced from Qatar are not subject to Qatari tax.","QFC Employment Regulations were amended in 2025 to clarify that Qatari and eligible GCC national employees at QFC firms are covered by Qatar's Pension Law (Social Insurance) and must be enrolled with GRSIA.","Cabinet Decision No. 11/2024 (June 2024) introduced transitional early retirement provisions for those whose service ended from 3 January 2023: for those born in 1983 or earlier, minimum 17 years subscription and 12 years actual service (age 42); for those born in 1984, minimum 19 years subscription and 14 years actual service, with gradual increases until meeting the standard Law No. 1/2022 thresholds.","Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025 (issued 13 February 2025, promulgated under Law No. 1/2022) came into force in early 2025, establishing detailed procedures for registration, contribution calculation, pension settlement (within 7 days), excess service bonuses, pension advances, and employer compliance obligations including appointment of a compliance liaison officer.","Pensioners may obtain advances of up to 5× their monthly pension (max QAR 300,000), repayable over up to 5 years, available twice during retirement — a feature introduced under Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025.","Women caring for children with disabilities are entitled to a full pension after 20 years of contributions (instead of the standard 25 years), with the age requirement waived, per Cabinet Resolution No. 3/2025.","GRSIA launched its new corporate identity and comprehensive strategy 'Daman' on 30 November 2025, introducing advanced digital services including AI assistant 'Sara', the Daman mobile app, a digital contact centre with live video service, and the 'Al Safwa' retiree discount programme."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Establish whether you were insured","detail":"GRSIA — which now operates under the brand Daman — administers the mandatory scheme for Qatari nationals, with provision for GCC nationals. Expatriate employees are outside it."},{"n":2,"url":"https://g2c.daman.gov.qa","title":"Nationals: use the digital services portal","detail":"The G2C portal and the Daman app handle contribution records and pension applications."},{"n":3,"title":"Nationals: check contributory service","detail":"Employers must register employees and report changes; a missing period usually traces back to an employer's filing rather than to you."},{"n":4,"title":"Expatriates: assemble the gratuity evidence","detail":"Qatari labour law sets a minimum of three weeks' basic wage per year of service after a year of continuous employment. Your contract may improve on that; it cannot reduce it."},{"n":5,"title":"Keep the documents","detail":"Save the statement or the final settlement with your contract."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You were an expatriate employee, so the pension authority has no record of you","whatToDo":"That is the expected answer, not a lost record. Your entitlement is the end-of-service gratuity your employer owes, calculated from your basic salary and length of service under the labour law. Your employment contract and final settlement are the documents, and PensionChart's free Gulf gratuity calculator will show you what the statutory formula produces."},{"symptom":"You cannot access the portal from outside Qatar","whatToDo":"GRSIA offices in Doha handle cases in person, and the authority answers written enquiries. An authorised representative in Qatar can also act for you."},{"symptom":"Your employer disputes the gratuity calculation","whatToDo":"The Ministry of Labour's dispute committees handle these claims. Basic wage, not total package, is the statutory base — check which figure your employer used."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.daman.gov.qa","portalName":"GRSIA (Daman)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Whether you are a Qatari or GCC national, or an expatriate — the social insurance scheme covers nationals; expatriates receive an end-of-service gratuity from the employer.","Your Qatar ID number.","For expatriates: contract, basic salary and service dates."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the Daman rebrand changed the URLs or login route for former members abroad.","documentNameLocal":"بيان الاشتراكات (Daman / GRSIA)","documentNameEnglish":"Social insurance contribution statement"}},{"country":"Saudi Arabia","country_code":"SA","continent":"asia","currency":"SAR","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Saudi Arabia's pension system is administered by the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI), a financially and administratively independent government entity established in 1969. The system covers private-sector and certain public-sector employees through two main branches: the Annuities Branch (old-age, disability, and survivor pensions — mandatory for Saudi nationals and GCC nationals only) and the Occupational Hazards Branch (work-injury coverage — mandatory for all workers regardless of nationality). A separate Civil Retirement Law covers civil servants, and a military retirement system covers armed forces personnel. Foreign workers are excluded from the Annuities Branch and receive only occupational hazard coverage through GOSI; their primary retirement-type benefit is the mandatory End-of-Service Benefit (gratuity) under the Saudi Labour Law. As of 2026, GOSI serves approximately 12.9 million contributors, with expatriates comprising around 77% of total subscribers and Saudi nationals accounting for 23%.\n\nA landmark New Social Insurance Law (Royal Decree M/273) was enacted on 3 July 2024 and took operational effect on 3 July 2025. It applies exclusively to new workforce entrants with no prior contribution history under the Civil Pension or Social Insurance Laws. Key reforms include raising the statutory retirement age from 58 Gregorian years to 65, revising the pension accrual formula from 2.5% to 2.25% per year of contributions (based on the highest 180 months of wages), extending the early retirement contribution requirement to 30 years at age 55, and gradually increasing annuity contribution rates from 9% each (employer/employee) in 2024 to 11% each by 2028. Existing contributors before 3 July 2024 who were aged 48.5 Gregorian years or older, or had at least 20 years of contributions, remain fully under the old rules. The new law also unifies public and private sector pension provisions, allowing contribution history to follow employees between sectors without loss of entitlements, and introduces GOSI-funded maternity compensation (three months) for all insured female workers (Saudi and non-Saudi) effective July 2025.\n\nSaudi Arabia has no bilateral totalization agreements with countries outside the GCC. Within the GCC, the Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension (in force since 2006) allows Saudi nationals working in other GCC states to remain covered by GOSI, and GCC nationals working in Saudi Arabia contribute to their home country's social insurance system. There is no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia, so pension income — whether received domestically or abroad — is not subject to Saudi income tax. In October 2025, Saudi Arabia formally abolished the Kafala (sponsorship) system, replacing it with a contract-based employment framework that grants approximately 13 million migrant workers greater freedom of mobility and job change.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.gosi.gov.sa","name":"GOSI — General Organization for Social Insurance"},{"url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sa.gov.gosi.taminaty","name":"GOSI Taminaty Mobile App (Google Play)"},{"url":"https://awareness.gosi.gov.sa/journey3.html","name":"GOSI New Social Insurance Law Awareness Platform"},{"url":"https://www.hrsd.gov.sa/en/ministry-services/services/end-service-benefit-calculator","name":"Ministry of Human Resources — End-of-Service Benefit Calculator"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/sa/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/sa","system_type":"Defined Benefit Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG)","pillar_structure":"Single mandatory pillar: GOSI Annuities Branch (DB PAYG) for Saudi nationals and GCC nationals; mandatory End-of-Service Benefit (lump-sum gratuity) for all workers under Labour Law; no mandatory funded second pillar; voluntary GOSI contributions available for self-employed Saudi nationals and certain other categories. New 2024 law unifies public and private sector pension provisions under one framework for new entrants.","replacement_rate_gross":"~56% (old system: 2.5% × 25 years = 62.5%; new system: 2.25% × 25 years = 56.25%; maximum 100%)","min_qualifying_period":"Old system: 120 months (10 years) for reduced pension at age 60 (Hijri)/58 Gregorian; 300 months (25 years) for early retirement at any age. New 2024 system: retirement at 65 (qualifying period not yet officially published); early retirement at 55 requires 30 years of contributions.","min_qualifying_partial":"60 months (5 years) if contributor purchases complementary period to reach 120 months (old system)","aggregation_rules":"GCC Unified Law of Insurance Protection Extension (in force January 2006) allows coordination between the six GCC member states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar). Saudi nationals working in other GCC states remain covered by GOSI; GCC nationals working in Saudi Arabia are covered by their home country's system, with GOSI transferring contributions to the relevant home-country body. No broader bilateral totalization network exists with non-GCC countries.","totalization_partners":["United Arab Emirates","Kuwait","Bahrain","Oman","Qatar"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Contribution base is basic salary + housing allowance only (transport, phone, commissions, bonuses excluded); minimum SAR 1,500 and maximum SAR 45,000/month. Two parallel systems operate as of 2026: (1) Old system (pre-3 July 2024 registrants): fixed at 21.5% combined (employee 9.75%, employer 11.75%); (2) New system (post-3 July 2024 registrants): pension branch increases 0.5% each side every July — 9.5% each (Jul 2025), 10% each (Jul 2026), 10.5% each (Jul 2027), 11% each (Jul 2028). SANED (0.75% each) and occupational hazards (2% employer only) are unchanged across both systems. GCC nationals working in Saudi Arabia contribute at their home country's rates, with GOSI transferring the funds to the relevant home-country social insurance body. Salary changes for GOSI purposes are limited to January (or Muharram) each year.","employee_pct":"Old system: 9.75% (9% annuities + 0.75% SANED). New system: 10.75% from July 2026 (10% annuities + 0.75% SANED), rising to 11.75% by July 2028. Expatriates: 0%.","employer_pct":"Old system: 11.75% (9% annuities + 2% occupational hazards + 0.75% SANED). New system: 12.75% from July 2026 (10% annuities + 2% occupational hazards + 0.75% SANED), rising to 13.75% by July 2028. Expatriates: 2% (occupational hazards only).","self_employed_pct":"Voluntary contributors (old system): 18% total (9% employee share + 9% employer share, both paid by self-employed person). New system rates apply to new entrants with no prior contribution history."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Application must be made within 5 years of leaving compulsory coverage (for re-entry); age limit 18–60 at enrollment (or up to 65 if previously covered)","available":true,"annual_cost":"18% of declared contributory wage (9% employee share + 9% employer share, both borne by voluntary contributor) under old system; new system rates apply to new entrants with no prior contribution history","benefit_per_year":"2.5% of average monthly wage per year of contributions (old system); 2.25% per year (new 2024 system for new entrants)","eligibility_conditions":"Saudi nationals in liberal professions (physicians, engineers, lawyers), self-employed traders, commercial/industrial/agricultural activity owners, Saudi workers employed abroad without a Saudi-headquartered employer, and Saudi nationals working in foreign diplomatic/military missions in Saudi Arabia if not compulsorily covered"},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No formal deferral increment for working beyond standard retirement age","early_reduction":"Old system: pension reduced for early retirement taken before standard retirement age when using the 300-month (25-year) early retirement route. New 2024 system: early retirement only possible at age 55 (10 years before standard age of 65) with 30 years of contributions; specific actuarial reduction rate not officially published."},"access_options":{"notes":"Saudi nationals: monthly pension if qualifying conditions met (age + contribution period). Lump-sum settlement (not pension) paid if contributor does not meet pension conditions at retirement age, or in special cases (women, arduous work, imprisonment 5+ years, loss of nationality, transfer to civil/military scheme with fewer than 12 months GOSI contributions). Expatriates: not eligible for GOSI annuity pension; receive End-of-Service Benefit lump sum under Labour Law upon contract termination. End-of-service: half-month salary/year for first 5 years; one month/year thereafter (on termination by employer); reduced on resignation from indefinite contracts. Funds freely repatriable — no capital controls on personal remittances.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Expatriates receive End-of-Service Benefit lump sum upon departure/contract end. Saudi nationals working abroad for Saudi-headquartered employers remain in GOSI. No GOSI pension refund mechanism for expatriates — occupational hazard contributions are non-refundable."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Not taxed — no personal income tax applies to lump-sum End-of-Service Benefits or GOSI lump-sum settlements","special_tax_regimes":"Zakat (religious levy) applies to Saudi nationals and GCC citizens on net worth — not on pension income per se. Non-Saudi business income may be subject to corporate income tax or withholding tax, but personal employment/pension income is exempt.","treaty_relief_available":false,"us_reporting_obligations":"GOSI is a foreign pension plan; US persons may have FBAR/FATCA reporting obligations for GOSI accounts if thresholds met. Saudi Arabia has no totalization agreement with the US, so US FICA obligations continue in full for US workers in Saudi Arabia. Saudi pension income received by US persons is taxable in the US as foreign pension income.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction — neither government nor private pensions are subject to personal income tax in Saudi Arabia","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% on pension/personal income — Saudi Arabia levies no personal income tax on employment or pension income for individuals"},"indexation":{"notes":"GOSI pensions are payable abroad to Saudi nationals via international bank transfer. Pension adjustments are made by government decree on an ad hoc basis — there is no automatic statutory indexation formula tied to inflation or wage growth. Minimum pension floor (SAR 1,983.75/month) applies under the old system.","method":"Ad hoc government decree; no automatic CPI or wage-linked indexation formula","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Saudi nationals: GOSI pension fully portable abroad — paid via international bank transfer. GCC nationals: contributions transferred to home-country social insurance body under GCC Unified Extension Agreement. Expatriates (non-GCC): no pension portability — only End-of-Service Benefit lump sum paid on departure, freely repatriable. No bilateral totalization agreements with non-GCC countries, so no credit aggregation with e.g. US, UK, EU systems. Under the new 2024 Social Insurance Law, contribution history follows employees between public and private sectors without loss of entitlements."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply for GOSI pension via: (1) GOSI online portal at gosi.gov.sa; (2) Taminaty mobile app (available on Google Play and App Store, supports biometric login via Absher/Nafath credentials); (3) in-person at GOSI field offices across Saudi Arabia. Pension recipients can transfer payment to a different bank account via the portal or Taminaty app. Employment must cease before pension is claimed (old system). GOSI certificates and contribution history statements can be obtained instantly via Taminaty app or online portal. Maternity compensation claims can be submitted electronically via the GOSI platform without visiting a branch.","advance_timeline":"No specific advance filing window published; application processed upon meeting eligibility conditions","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Saudi National ID (for Saudi nationals)","Iqama / Residence Permit (for expatriates claiming End-of-Service Benefit)","Employment records and GOSI contribution history statement","Bank account details (Saudi or international for overseas payment)","Proof of cessation of employment","Medical board assessment (for disability pension claims)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"GOSI online portal (gosi.gov.sa) and Taminaty app are accessible internationally. Taminaty app requires Absher-linked credentials or Iqama and Nafath identity verification. Biometric login available for faster access. Pension bank transfer can be updated online.","proof_of_life_notes":"Periodic life certificate or proof-of-life documentation may be required for pensioners residing abroad; can be obtained via Saudi embassy or consulate in country of residence","international_contact":{"phone":"GOSI headquarters in Riyadh; contact through main portal at https://www.gosi.gov.sa"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Arabic (primary); English available on GOSI online portal and Taminaty app","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"GOSI Annuities Branch (Old-Age Pension) — Pre-July 2024 System","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related DB scheme for Saudi nationals who had prior GOSI or Civil Pension contributions before 3 July 2024, and who were aged 48.5 Gregorian years or older or had at least 20 years of contributions on that date. Benefit = 2.5% × years of contributions × average monthly wage (last 24 months), capped at 100%. Minimum pension SAR 1,983.75/month. Full pension at age 60 (Hijri) / 58 Gregorian with 120 months contributions; early pension at any age with 300 months (25 years). Contribution base: basic salary + housing allowance, capped at SAR 45,000/month.","officialUrl":"https://www.gosi.gov.sa","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"120 months (10 years) minimum for reduced pension; 300 months (25 years) for early retirement at any age","contributionRateEmployee":"9% (annuities) + 0.75% (SANED) = 9.75% total","contributionRateEmployer":"9% (annuities) + 2% (occupational hazards) + 0.75% (SANED) = 11.75% total"},{"name":"GOSI Annuities Branch (Old-Age Pension) — New 2024 Social Insurance Law","type":"state","description":"Applies to new workforce entrants with no prior GOSI/Civil Pension contributions before 3 July 2024, and to existing contributors who were under age 48.5 Gregorian years with fewer than 20 years of contributions on 3 July 2024. Benefit = 2.25% × years of contributions × average of highest 180 months of contributory wages, capped at 100%. Retirement age: 65 Gregorian years. Early retirement at age 55 with 30 years of contributions. Contribution rates rising from 9% each (employer/employee) in 2024 to 11% each by July 2028 (increasing 0.5% per year from July 2025). As of July 2026, pension branch rate is 10% each side (all-in: employee 10.75%, employer 12.75%). New law unifies public and private sector pension provisions, allowing contribution history to follow employees between sectors. GOSI-funded maternity compensation (3 months) introduced for all insured female workers from July 2025.","officialUrl":"https://awareness.gosi.gov.sa/journey3.html","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum qualifying period not yet officially published for new system; early retirement requires 30 years of contributions at age 55","contributionRateEmployee":"10.75% total from July 2026 (10% annuities + 0.75% SANED); rising to 11.75% by July 2028","contributionRateEmployer":"12.75% total from July 2026 (10% annuities + 2% occupational hazards + 0.75% SANED); rising to 13.75% by July 2028"},{"name":"GOSI Occupational Hazards Branch","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory work-injury insurance covering all workers (Saudi and non-Saudi) regardless of nationality. Provides medical care, temporary disability, permanent disability, and survivor benefits for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. Employer-funded only (2% of contributory wage). From July 2025, also funds maternity compensation (3 months at average contributory wage) for all insured female workers — Saudi and non-Saudi — who have at least 12 months of contributions in the 36 months preceding childbirth.","officialUrl":"https://www.gosi.gov.sa","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"12 months of contributions within the 36 months preceding childbirth for maternity compensation eligibility","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employer-funded only)","contributionRateEmployer":"2% of contributory wage (all workers)"},{"name":"End-of-Service Benefit (Gratuity)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory lump-sum severance for all workers (Saudi and non-Saudi) under the Saudi Labour Law (Articles 84–87). Calculated on final basic salary: half-month per year for first 5 years; one full month per year thereafter. On resignation from an indefinite contract, entitlement is one-third after 2–5 years, two-thirds after 5–10 years, and full after 10+ years. Employees on fixed-term contracts who resign before contract expiry generally forfeit ESB unless special circumstances apply. Labour Law amendments effective 19 February 2025 (Royal Decree M/44) extended maternity leave to 12 weeks, extended probation period to 180 days (no ESB during probation), and allowed formal resignation from fixed-term contracts. No cap on total ESB amount. Funds freely repatriable.","officialUrl":"https://www.hrsd.gov.sa/en/ministry-services/services/end-service-benefit-calculator","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 2 years of continuous service for partial entitlement on resignation from indefinite contract; any length for termination by employer (after probation)","contributionRateEmployee":"0%","contributionRateEmployer":"Employer-funded liability (no fixed contribution rate; accrues based on final salary and service length)"},{"name":"SANED (Unemployment Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Saudi Arabia's unemployment insurance program (ساند) administered by GOSI. Provides temporary financial assistance to Saudi nationals who lose their jobs involuntarily in the private sector. Requires at least 12 months of contributions to qualify. Benefits paid for up to 12 months. Contribution rate unchanged under both old and new systems.","officialUrl":"https://www.gosi.gov.sa","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"12 months of contributions required","contributionRateEmployee":"0.75%","contributionRateEmployer":"0.75%"}],"cross_border_notes":["GOSI Annuities Branch pension is payable abroad to Saudi nationals via international bank transfer — no requirement to maintain a Saudi bank account","Expatriates (non-GCC) are NOT covered under the GOSI Annuities Branch; only the Occupational Hazards Branch applies (2% employer-only contribution)","End-of-Service Benefit (gratuity) under Saudi Labour Law applies to all workers (Saudi and non-Saudi) and is paid as a lump sum on contract termination; funds are freely repatriable","GCC nationals working in Saudi Arabia contribute to their home country's social insurance system under the GCC Unified Extension Agreement (in force since January 2006); GOSI transfers contributions to the relevant home-country body","Saudi Arabia has NO bilateral totalization agreement with the US, UK, or any non-GCC country; US workers in Saudi Arabia continue to owe full US FICA taxes","New Social Insurance Law (Royal Decree M/273, enacted 3 July 2024, operational 3 July 2025) raises retirement age to 65 and changes pension formula to 2.25%/year for new workforce entrants only; existing contributors aged 48.5+ or with 20+ years of contributions as of 3 July 2024 are unaffected","Contribution rates for new entrants under the 2024 law are rising from 9% each (employer/employee) to 11% each by July 2028 (0.5% annual increase each July); as of July 2026, the pension branch rate is 10% each side","Early retirement under the new 2024 system is only possible at age 55 with 30 years of contributions; under the old system, early retirement was possible at any age with 300 months (25 years) of contributions","The new 2024 Social Insurance Law unifies public and private sector pension provisions, allowing contribution history to follow employees between sectors without loss of entitlements — a significant improvement over the old system","New GOSI-funded maternity compensation (3 months at average contributory wage) introduced from July 2025 for all insured female workers (Saudi and non-Saudi) with at least 12 months of contributions in the 36 months preceding childbirth; cost shifted from employers to GOSI","Saudi Arabia formally abolished the Kafala (sponsorship) system in October 2025, replacing it with a contract-based employment framework granting approximately 13 million migrant workers greater freedom of mobility and job change without employer consent","Labour Law amendments (Royal Decree M/44, effective 19 February 2025) extended maternity leave to 12 weeks, extended probation period to 180 days (no ESB during probation), and allowed formal resignation from fixed-term contracts","As of 2026, GOSI serves approximately 12.9 million contributors, with expatriates comprising ~77% of total subscribers and Saudi nationals ~23%"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.gosi.gov.sa","title":"Establish which branch covered you","detail":"GOSI runs two branches: annuities (the pension, for Saudi and GCC nationals) and occupational hazards (which does cover expatriates, but pays for injury, not retirement)."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in to GOSI online or the Taminaty app","detail":"Authentication runs through Absher or Nafath, the national identity services."},{"n":3,"url":"https://awareness.gosi.gov.sa/journey3.html","title":"Nationals: read your contribution statement","detail":"It shows contributory months and the wages they were based on. A new social insurance law applies different rules to those entering the system from 2024 onward, so check which set applies to you."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.hrsd.gov.sa/en/ministry-services/services/end-service-benefit-calculator","title":"Expatriates: calculate the end-of-service award instead","detail":"The Saudi labour law sets the formula — broadly half a month's wage per year for the first five years and a full month thereafter, with reductions for resignation before certain thresholds. The ministry publishes an official calculator."},{"n":5,"title":"Keep the documents","detail":"Whichever applies, save the statement or the settlement calculation with your contract."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You were an expatriate employee, so the pension authority has no record of you","whatToDo":"That is the expected answer, not a lost record. Your entitlement is the end-of-service gratuity your employer owes, calculated from your basic salary and length of service under the labour law. Your employment contract and final settlement are the documents, and PensionChart's free Gulf gratuity calculator will show you what the statutory formula produces."},{"symptom":"Absher or Nafath will not authenticate you after leaving Saudi Arabia","whatToDo":"GOSI field offices handle cases in person and answer written enquiries. If you are a GCC national, your own country's social insurance authority can also raise the matter under GCC coordination."},{"symptom":"You are a GCC national unsure whether your Saudi service counts at home","whatToDo":"The GCC extension of insurance protection allows service in another GCC state to count toward your home scheme. Ask your home authority, not GOSI, how the period is recorded."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.gosi.gov.sa","portalName":"GOSI / Taminaty","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Whether you are a Saudi national, a GCC national, or an expatriate — GOSI's annuities branch covers nationals, while expatriates are registered only for occupational hazards.","Your GOSI number or Iqama/national ID number.","For expatriates: contracts and basic-salary history for the end-of-service award."],"couldNotVerify":"How the 2024 social insurance law applies to someone who left Saudi Arabia before it took effect.","documentNameLocal":"بيان الاشتراكات (GOSI)","documentNameEnglish":"GOSI contribution statement"}},{"country":"Singapore","country_code":"SG","continent":"asia","currency":"SGD","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":70,"pension_system_summary":"Singapore's retirement income system is built around the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a mandatory defined-contribution scheme covering citizens and permanent residents. Members contribute to three accounts: Ordinary Account (OA, for housing/investment/education), MediSave Account (MA, for healthcare), and Retirement Account (RA, created at age 55 from OA and SA savings). The CPF Special Account (SA) was closed for members aged 55 and above from 19 January 2025, with SA savings transferred to RA (up to the Full Retirement Sum) and any surplus to OA. CPF LIFE, Singapore's national longevity insurance annuity, provides lifelong monthly payouts from age 65 (deferrable to 70 for up to 35% higher payouts). From 1 January 2026, the CPF Ordinary Wage ceiling rose to SGD 8,000/month (the final step of a phased increase from SGD 6,000 since 2023), and contribution rates for workers aged 55–65 were further increased. CPF balances stood at SGD 677 billion as of March 2026. A further round of senior-worker contribution rate increases is scheduled for 1 January 2027.\n\nThe Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) provides a voluntary, tax-advantaged savings layer. Contributions are capped at SGD 15,300/year for citizens and PRs, and SGD 35,700/year for foreigners. SRS contributions are tax-deductible (subject to the SGD 80,000 total personal income tax relief cap); only 50% of withdrawals made at or after the member's prescribed retirement age are taxable. The prescribed retirement age for SRS is fixed at the statutory retirement age prevailing at the time of the member's first SRS contribution: 63 for first contributions made before 1 July 2026, and 64 for first contributions made from 1 July 2026 onwards. Singapore's statutory retirement age rose from 63 to 64 on 1 July 2026, with a national target of 65 by 2030. The CPF payout eligibility age (65) is not linked to the statutory retirement age and remains unchanged. The government has extended the 4% interest rate floor on Special, MediSave, and Retirement Account savings through 31 December 2026.\n\nSingapore does not operate a traditional social insurance pension system and has no bilateral totalization agreements with any country. CPF is an individual account-based DC system; portability for PRs is achieved by full lump-sum withdrawal upon renouncing PR status. Singapore citizens cannot withdraw CPF solely due to overseas relocation — standard withdrawal rules apply regardless of residency. The system is complemented by government support schemes including the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS, enhanced from 2025 with a SGD 2,000/year matching grant cap and no upper age limit; expanded from 2026 to include persons with disabilities of all ages), the new Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS, launched 1 January 2026 as a five-year pilot), Workfare Income Supplement, and Silver Support Scheme for lower-income seniors.","has_totalization_treaties":false,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.cpf.gov.sg","name":"CPF Board"},{"url":"https://www.mom.gov.sg","name":"Ministry of Manpower (MOM)"},{"url":"https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax/special-tax-schemes/srs-contributions","name":"Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) — SRS"},{"url":"https://www.mof.gov.sg","name":"Ministry of Finance — SRS Information"},{"url":"https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/retirement-income/monthly-payouts/cpf-life","name":"CPF LIFE Payout Planner"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/sg/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/sg","system_type":"Mandatory defined-contribution provident fund (CPF) + voluntary supplementary savings (SRS)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: CPF (mandatory DC provident fund with OA, MA, and RA accounts; CPF LIFE annuity from age 65); Pillar 2: None (no mandatory occupational DB scheme); Pillar 3: SRS (voluntary, tax-advantaged individual savings)","replacement_rate_gross":"~37% (CPF mandatory only, OECD 2024 estimate for average earner; rises significantly with housing monetisation and SRS)","min_qualifying_period":"CPF: No minimum for lump-sum withdrawal at 55 (subject to retirement sum requirements); CPF LIFE: RA balance ≥ SGD 60,000 at payout start for auto-enrolment; SRS: prescribed retirement age (63 or 64 depending on date of first contribution) for penalty-free withdrawal","min_qualifying_partial":"CPF: Unconditional withdrawal of up to SGD 5,000 at age 55; additional withdrawal of up to 20% of RA savings at age 65 (for those born 1958 or later)","aggregation_rules":"Not applicable. CPF is an individual account-based DC system, not a social insurance scheme. There are no totalization agreements and no aggregation provisions with foreign pension systems.","totalization_partners":[],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Rates above apply to wages >SGD 750/month for Singapore citizens and PRs from 3rd year of PR status. OW ceiling: SGD 8,000/month (from January 2026). Annual wage ceiling: SGD 102,000. Annual CPF limit: SGD 37,740. Additional contributions for ages 55–65 are fully allocated to RA (up to FRS); surplus goes to OA. Foreigners on work passes are exempt from CPF. A CPF Transition Offset covers 50% of the 2027 employer contribution increase for eligible senior workers.","employee_pct":"20% (age ≤55); 18% (55–60); 12.5% (60–65); 7.5% (65–70); 5% (>70) — from 1 January 2026. From 1 January 2027: 55–60 rises to 19%; 60–65 rises to 13%.","employer_pct":"17% (age ≤55); 16% (55–60); 12.5% (60–65); 9% (65–70); 7.5% (>70) — from 1 January 2026. From 1 January 2027: 55–60 rises to 16.5%; 60–65 rises to 13%.","self_employed_pct":"MediSave contributions mandatory (amount varies by net trade income); voluntary contributions to OA/RA permitted up to annual CPF limit of SGD 37,740"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"SRS: 31 December each year for tax relief in following Year of Assessment. CPF top-ups: anytime.","available":true,"annual_cost":"SRS: up to SGD 15,300 (citizens/PRs) or SGD 35,700 (foreigners). CPF voluntary top-ups: up to annual CPF limit of SGD 37,740 (inclusive of mandatory contributions). Cash top-ups to RA/SA attract tax relief of up to SGD 8,000 for self and SGD 8,000 for family members per year (top-ups attracting MRSS matching grants are not eligible for tax relief from YA 2026). MRSS: dollar-for-dollar government matching grant up to SGD 2,000/year (lifetime cap SGD 20,000) for eligible lower-income senior Singapore Citizens and persons with disabilities.","benefit_per_year":"SRS: tax deduction equal to contribution amount (subject to SGD 80,000 total relief cap); 50% tax concession on withdrawal at prescribed retirement age. CPF RA top-ups: higher CPF LIFE monthly payouts; tax relief up to SGD 8,000/year (for top-ups not attracting MRSS grant). MRSS: dollar-for-dollar government matching grant up to SGD 2,000/year.","eligibility_conditions":"SRS: any Singapore citizen, PR, or foreigner earning income in Singapore; cannot contribute after commencing SRS withdrawals. CPF voluntary top-ups: citizens and PRs only; foreigners may not make voluntary CPF contributions. MRSS: Singapore Citizens only, with lower retirement savings (below BRS threshold), residing in Singapore; no upper age limit from 2025; expanded from 1 January 2026 to include persons with disabilities of all ages."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"CPF LIFE: payouts increase by up to 7% for each year deferred beyond age 65, up to a maximum of approximately 35% more if deferred to age 70. Continued CPF contributions after 55 also increase RA balance and payouts.","early_reduction":"CPF LIFE: lower monthly payouts if RA balance is below FRS at payout start. Withdrawals at 55 above retirement sum reduce future payouts. SRS early withdrawal: 100% taxable + 5% penalty."},"access_options":{"notes":"At age 55: unconditional withdrawal of up to SGD 5,000; withdrawal of savings above FRS (or above BRS if property pledged with remaining lease to age 95). At age 65: additional lump-sum withdrawal of up to 20% of RA savings (for those born 1958+). CPF LIFE provides lifelong monthly annuity payouts from age 65–70. SRS funds can be withdrawn as lump sum or spread over up to 10 years. PRs who renounce PR status may withdraw all CPF savings as lump sum.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"PRs: full CPF withdrawal available upon formally renouncing PR status with ICA. Singapore citizens: cannot withdraw CPF solely due to overseas relocation; standard withdrawal rules apply. Foreigners/PRs leaving permanently: may close CPF account and transfer savings to overseas bank account. Process requires Singpass login or notarised documents via Singapore Overseas Mission."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"CPF lump-sum withdrawals are tax-free in Singapore. SRS: 50% of withdrawal taxable at prescribed retirement age; 100% taxable + 5% penalty for early withdrawal. Overseas tax treatment depends on destination country laws.","special_tax_regimes":"SRS concessionary withholding rate of 15% for non-residents if cumulative annual SRS withdrawals ≤ SGD 200,000 and no other Singapore income (Form IR37B(1) required). Personal income tax relief cap of SGD 80,000 applies to all reliefs including CPF and SRS contributions. CPF cash top-ups attracting MRSS matching grants are not eligible for CPF Cash Top-up Relief from YA 2026 (for top-ups received from 1 January 2025).","treaty_relief_available":false,"us_reporting_obligations":"CPF treated by IRS as a foreign grantor trust (PMTA 2006-173): employer CPF contributions taxable as income in year contributed; investment growth taxable as it accrues annually. No U.S.-Singapore tax treaty. CPF must be reported on FBAR and Form 8938 if balances exceed applicable thresholds. SRS: no U.S. deduction for contributions; PFIC rules may apply to SRS investments in foreign mutual funds (Form 8621).","govt_vs_private_distinction":"CPF LIFE payouts are tax-exempt in Singapore. SRS withdrawals: 50% taxable at prescribed retirement age (resident rates) or 15%/24% withholding for non-residents. CPF lump-sum withdrawals are tax-free in Singapore.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"24% (general non-resident rate from YA 2024; 15% concessionary rate for SRS withdrawals ≤ SGD 200,000/year with no other Singapore income)"},"indexation":{"notes":"CPF LIFE payouts are not explicitly CPI-indexed; the Escalating Plan increases payouts by 2%/year. CPF interest rates are set quarterly: OA at 2.5% p.a. floor; SA/MA/RA at 4% p.a. floor (extended through 31 December 2026). Extra 1% interest on first SGD 60,000 of combined balances for members below 55 (capped at SGD 20,000 from OA); additional 2% on first SGD 30,000 and 1% on next SGD 30,000 in RA for members aged 55+. CPF savings continue to earn interest if left in account while living abroad.","method":"CPF OA: higher of 3-month average of major local banks' rates or 2.5% p.a. floor (reviewed quarterly). SA/MA/RA: 12-month average yield of 10-year Singapore Government Securities + 1%, minimum 4% p.a. floor (reviewed quarterly; floor extended to 31 December 2026). CPF LIFE payouts: not CPI-linked; Escalating Plan provides 2%/year increase.","abroad_status":"conditional"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"CPF is not transferable to foreign pension systems. PRs may withdraw all CPF savings as a lump sum upon formally renouncing PR status. Singapore citizens retain CPF regardless of overseas residence and must meet standard withdrawal conditions. No cross-border transfer mechanism exists. Funds paid to overseas bank accounts in SGD; exchange rate risk applies. SRS funds can be withdrawn on departure (subject to tax and potential penalty)."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"CPF withdrawals at 55: apply online via CPF portal (cpf.gov.sg) using Singpass, or submit Form CPF-W. CPF LIFE payouts: apply via 'Plan My Monthly Payouts' service up to 3 months before age 65; payouts start automatically at age 70 if not elected. For overseas applicants: submit via CPF 'Write To Us' portal with Singpass, or submit notarised documents via Singapore Overseas Mission (apostille required). Account closure on permanent departure: submit Form CPF-CA online or by post with certified supporting documents.","advance_timeline":"Apply up to 3 months before turning 65 for CPF LIFE payouts. Encouraged to close CPF account before leaving Singapore to avoid additional verification requirements.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (CPF LIFE payouts); lump-sum withdrawals processed upon application approval","required_documents":["NRIC or passport","Bank account details (Singapore or overseas)","For overseas applications: documents certified by Singapore Overseas Mission or apostilled by local Notary Public","For permanent departure: proof of renunciation of PR status (ICA documentation)","For medical withdrawal: Medical Assessment Report from accredited doctor"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"CPF online portal (cpf.gov.sg) and 'Write To Us' service accessible internationally via Singpass. Singpass Foreign user Account (SFA) available for those without a local Singpass. Overseas applicants without Singpass may submit via CPF's online portal using a POSB/DBS/OCBC/UOB account linked to Singapore NRIC, or by post with notarised documents.","proof_of_life_notes":"CPF Board does not operate a formal annual proof-of-life requirement for overseas CPF LIFE recipients; however, the Board may request additional verification for overseas applications. Members should keep contact details and bank account information updated via the CPF portal.","international_contact":{"phone":"CPF Board International Services, phone: +65-6227-1188"},"proof_of_life_required":false,"correspondence_language":"English","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Central Provident Fund (CPF)","type":"mandatory","description":"Mandatory DC provident fund for Singapore citizens and PRs. Contributions split across Ordinary Account (OA: housing, investment, education; 2.5% p.a. interest), MediSave Account (MA: healthcare; 4% p.a.), and Retirement Account (RA: created at 55 from OA/SA; 4% p.a.). Special Account (SA) closed for members aged 55+ from 19 January 2025; SA savings transferred to RA (up to FRS) and OA (surplus). OW ceiling: SGD 8,000/month (from January 2026). Annual wage ceiling: SGD 102,000. Annual CPF limit: SGD 37,740. CPF managed SGD 677 billion for members as at March 2026. From 1 January 2027, contribution rates for ages 55–65 will increase again (55–60: to 35.5% total; 60–65: to 26% total).","officialUrl":"https://www.cpf.gov.sg","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum vesting; RA created at age 55; CPF LIFE payouts from age 65 (auto-enrolled if RA ≥ SGD 60,000 at payout start)","contributionRateEmployee":"20% (age ≤55); 18% (55–60); 12.5% (60–65); 7.5% (65–70); 5% (>70) — from 1 January 2026","contributionRateEmployer":"17% (age ≤55); 16% (55–60); 12.5% (60–65); 9% (65–70); 7.5% (>70) — from 1 January 2026"},{"name":"CPF LIFE","type":"state","description":"Mandatory national longevity insurance annuity providing lifelong monthly payouts from age 65 (deferrable to 70 for up to 35% higher payouts). Auto-enrolled for members born 1958 or later with ≥ SGD 60,000 in RA at payout start. Three plan options: Standard (higher payouts, lower bequest), Basic (lower payouts, higher bequest), Escalating (payouts rise 2%/year). Payouts are tax-exempt in Singapore. For members turning 55 in 2026: BRS = SGD 110,200 (est. ~SGD 900–1,100/month payout), FRS = SGD 220,400 (est. ~SGD 1,600–1,900/month), ERS = SGD 440,800 (est. ~SGD 3,100–3,500/month). Retirement sums increase ~3.5% annually (2023–2027). ERS raised to 4× BRS from 2025 (previously 3× BRS). ERS rises every 1 January and applies to all members aged 55+. Government guarantees CPF LIFE savings.","officialUrl":"https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/retirement-income/monthly-payouts/cpf-life","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Payouts start between age 65–70; auto-starts at 70 if not elected earlier","contributionRateEmployee":"Funded from CPF Retirement Account","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A"},{"name":"Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS)","type":"voluntary","description":"Voluntary individual retirement savings scheme operated through DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB. Annual contribution cap: SGD 15,300 (citizens/PRs), SGD 35,700 (foreigners). Contributions are tax-deductible (subject to SGD 80,000 total relief cap). Investment returns accumulate tax-free. Only 50% of withdrawals at or after the member's prescribed retirement age are taxable. The prescribed retirement age is fixed at the statutory retirement age prevailing at the time of the member's first SRS contribution: 63 for first contributions made before 1 July 2026; 64 for first contributions made from 1 July 2026 onwards. Early withdrawal: 100% taxable + 5% penalty. Foreigners may withdraw penalty-free after 10 years of account tenure (full lump-sum, 50% taxable). Withdrawal period: up to 10 years from first withdrawal. Deadline for tax relief: contributions must be made by 31 December each year. Contributions are not permitted after commencing SRS withdrawals.","officialUrl":"https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax/special-tax-schemes/srs-contributions","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Penalty-free withdrawal from prescribed retirement age (63 for first contributions before 1 July 2026; 64 for first contributions from 1 July 2026); foreigners: 10-year account tenure alternative","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary (max SGD 15,300/year for citizens/PRs; SGD 35,700/year for foreigners)","contributionRateEmployer":"Employer contributions permitted (count toward employee's annual cap; taxable to employee but offset by tax relief)"}],"cross_border_notes":["Singapore has NO bilateral social security totalization agreements with any country. CPF is an individual account-based DC system, not a social insurance scheme, so cross-border coordination provisions do not apply.","Singapore has Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with over 90 countries, but these address income tax — not pension contribution coordination or totalization.","CPF lump-sum withdrawals are tax-free in Singapore, but may be taxable in the recipient's country of residence. U.S. persons face particularly complex treatment: IRS treats CPF as a foreign grantor trust (PMTA 2006-173), with employer contributions and accrued interest taxable annually.","Singapore PRs who renounce PR status may withdraw all CPF savings as a lump sum. Singapore citizens cannot withdraw CPF solely due to overseas relocation.","SRS is available to foreigners working in Singapore (cap: SGD 35,700/year). Foreigners may withdraw SRS penalty-free after 10 years of account tenure (full lump-sum; 50% taxable). Non-resident SRS withdrawals subject to 15% or 24% withholding tax.","CPF LIFE payouts are tax-exempt in Singapore but may be taxable abroad depending on destination country rules. No treaty protection exists for CPF or SRS income for most nationalities.","Singapore's statutory retirement age rose from 63 to 64 on 1 July 2026 (re-employment age from 68 to 69), with a national target of 65/70 by 2030. The CPF payout eligibility age remains fixed at 65, independent of the statutory retirement age.","The SRS prescribed retirement age (for penalty-free withdrawals) is fixed at the statutory retirement age prevailing at the time of the member's first SRS contribution: 63 for first contributions made before 1 July 2026; 64 for first contributions made from 1 July 2026 onwards.","The CPF Special Account (SA) was closed for members aged 55+ on 19 January 2025. SA savings were transferred to RA (up to FRS) and OA (surplus). The Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) was raised to 4× BRS from 2025 (SGD 426,000 in 2025; SGD 440,800 in 2026).","From 1 January 2026, CPF contribution rates for ages 55–60 rose to 34% total (16% employer, 18% employee) and for ages 60–65 to 25% total (12.5% each). A further increase is scheduled for 1 January 2027 (55–60: to 35.5%; 60–65: to 26%). The OW ceiling reached its final phased level of SGD 8,000/month from January 2026.","The Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) was enhanced from 2025: annual matching grant raised to SGD 2,000 (lifetime cap SGD 20,000), upper age cap removed. From 1 January 2026, MRSS expanded to include persons with disabilities of all ages. A new Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS) launched 1 January 2026 as a five-year pilot."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.mom.gov.sg","title":"Check whether you have CPF at all","detail":"This is the first question, not a detail. If you worked in Singapore on an Employment Pass or S Pass, you almost certainly have no CPF account — employers do not contribute for pass holders. Your retirement provision from that period is whatever your employer offered privately."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.cpf.gov.sg","title":"Log in to the CPF portal with Singpass","detail":"If you were a citizen or PR, your statement of account shows the Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement accounts separately."},{"n":3,"title":"Read the account balances and the retirement sum","detail":"What you can withdraw at 55 depends on setting aside the applicable retirement sum, which then funds CPF LIFE payouts from 65."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax/special-tax-schemes/srs-contributions","title":"Check for a Supplementary Retirement Scheme account","detail":"SRS is voluntary and open to foreigners as well as citizens, so it is the one Singapore retirement account a former pass holder might actually have."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the statement","detail":"Keep the PDF. CPF is not transferable to a foreign pension system, so it will always be a separate line in your picture."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot log in because your Singpass lapsed after leaving","whatToDo":"Singpass accounts can be reactivated, and CPF Board answers written enquiries from abroad. Have your NRIC/FIN ready."},{"symptom":"You were a PR and renounced your status","whatToDo":"Renouncing PR permits full withdrawal of CPF savings as a lump sum. If you renounced and never claimed, the money is still there — contact CPF Board."},{"symptom":"You held a work pass and cannot find any account","whatToDo":"There probably is none, and that is the correct answer rather than a lost record. Look instead for a private plan from your employer, or an SRS account you opened yourself."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.cpf.gov.sg","portalName":"CPF Board","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your NRIC or FIN number.","A Singpass account — the national digital identity, and the only practical way into CPF services.","Clarity on your status while working in Singapore: CPF applies to citizens and permanent residents. Foreign employees on work passes have not contributed to CPF since 2003."],"couldNotVerify":null,"documentNameLocal":"CPF statement of account","documentNameEnglish":"CPF statement of account"}},{"country":"South Africa","country_code":"ZA","continent":"africa","currency":"ZAR","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"South Africa operates a multi-pillar retirement system with no universal mandatory contributory old-age pension. The foundation is a means-tested, tax-funded Old Age Grant (Older Persons Grant) administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), paying R2,400/month (ages 60–74) and R2,420/month (ages 75+) from April 2026 per the 2026 Budget. This grant is the primary income source for approximately 75% of the elderly population. Occupational retirement funds (pension and provident funds) are voluntary but widespread in the formal sector, covering an estimated 66–84% of formal sector employees. These are regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) under the Pension Funds Act of 1956 and operate predominantly on a defined contribution basis. The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) is Africa's largest pension fund, a defined benefit scheme covering all public servants, with over 1.267 million active members and 565,221 pensioners and beneficiaries as at 31 March 2025, and assets of R2.69 trillion (119% funded); the fund surpassed R3 trillion during the 2025/26 financial year (subject to audit). GEPF granted a 3.5% pension increase effective 1 April 2026 (100% of CPI for November 2025), and implemented revised actuarial interest factors from 1 October 2025 that reduce pre-retirement exit benefits by an average of 15% (retirement benefits at normal retirement age are unaffected). The GEPF retirement age has NOT changed and remains at 60 — widely circulated claims of a change to 67 have been categorically denied by GEPF and fact-checked as false.\n\nA landmark reform — the Two-Pot Retirement System — took effect on 1 September 2024. Under this system, all new contributions to retirement funds are split: one-third into an accessible Savings Pot (withdrawable once per tax year from 1 March to 28/29 February, minimum R2,000, taxed at marginal rates) and two-thirds into a locked Retirement Pot (accessible only at retirement). Existing savings prior to 1 September 2024 are ringfenced in a Vested Pot under the old rules. A once-off seed capital transfer of 10% of existing savings (capped at R30,000) was made to the Savings Pot at inception. More than R43 billion has been withdrawn from Savings Pots since launch. The 2026 Budget introduced significant retirement threshold changes effective 1 March 2026: the annual tax-deductible retirement fund contribution cap increased from R350,000 to R430,000 (first increase since 2016); the annuitisation de minimis threshold increased from R247,500 to R360,000; and the living annuity commutation threshold increased from R125,000 to R150,000.\n\nVoluntary private savings via Retirement Annuity Funds (RAFs) are available, with contributions tax-deductible up to 27.5% of the greater of remuneration or taxable income, capped at R430,000 per year (from 1 March 2026). South Africa has no mandatory contributory national social security pension scheme, though a Green Paper proposing a National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has been under discussion since 2021 but has not been enacted. The OECD estimates South Africa's gross replacement rate from its voluntary system at approximately 17–21% for average earners, well below the OECD average of 52%. From 11 April 2025, SARS discontinued the RST02 refund process for non-residents; refunds are now processed via the annual ITR12 tax return. From April 2024, SARS requires a Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (not just a TCS PIN) when applying for a tax directive to withdraw retirement funds as a non-resident. The proposed removal of the foreign pension exemption (s10(1)(gC)(ii)) from 1 March 2026 was withdrawn by National Treasury in November 2025 for broader consultation — the current exemption remains in force pending further legislative process.","has_totalization_treaties":false,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.sassa.gov.za","name":"SASSA (South African Social Security Agency)"},{"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/tax-during-all-life-stages-and-events/tax-and-retirement/","name":"SARS (South African Revenue Service) — Tax and Retirement"},{"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/tax-during-all-life-stages-and-events/tax-and-non-residents/relief-from-south-african-tax-for-pension-and-annuity-income/","name":"SARS eFiling — Non-Resident Pension Relief (RST01)"},{"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/two-pot-retirement-system/","name":"SARS — Two-Pot Retirement System"},{"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/tax-rates/income-tax/retirement-lump-sum-benefits/","name":"SARS — Retirement Lump Sum Benefits Tax Rates"},{"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/about/sars-tax-and-customs-system/budget/budget-2026-frequently-asked-questions/","name":"SARS — Budget 2026 Frequently Asked Questions"},{"url":"https://www.fsca.co.za","name":"FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority)"},{"url":"https://www.gepf.co.za","name":"GEPF (Government Employees Pension Fund)"},{"url":"https://www.gpaa.gov.za","name":"GPAA (Government Pensions Administration Agency)"},{"url":"https://www.treasury.gov.za","name":"National Treasury"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/za/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/za","system_type":"Means-tested social assistance (Pillar 0) + voluntary occupational DC/DB + mandatory DB for public servants (GEPF) + voluntary private RA","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: Old Age Grant (means-tested, tax-funded, SASSA); Pillar 2: Occupational retirement funds — pension, provident, and preservation funds (voluntary employer-sponsored, DC and DB); Pillar 2b: GEPF (mandatory defined benefit for public servants); Pillar 3: Retirement Annuity Funds (voluntary individual savings)","replacement_rate_gross":"~17–21% (mandatory/social assistance only); higher with voluntary occupational savings","min_qualifying_period":"Old Age Grant: age 60 + means test (no contribution period required). GEPF: 10 years for annuity entitlement. Occupational/RAF: depends on fund rules.","min_qualifying_partial":"GEPF: members with less than 10 years receive a lump sum gratuity equal to actuarial interest (note: actuarial interest factors revised downward by avg 15% from 1 October 2025 for pre-retirement exits). Old Age Grant: no partial — either qualifies or does not based on means test.","aggregation_rules":"South Africa has no comprehensive bilateral social security totalization agreements. Limited bilateral agreements exist (e.g., with Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini under SADC frameworks) but do not provide full contribution aggregation for pension purposes. DTAs address tax treatment but not contribution period aggregation.","totalization_partners":[],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"South Africa has no mandatory contributory national pension scheme. Contribution rates for occupational funds are set by individual fund rules. The Two-Pot System (effective 1 September 2024) splits new contributions: one-third to Savings Pot, two-thirds to Retirement Pot. Employer contributions to approved funds are tax-deductible up to 10% of employee remuneration for employer tax purposes.","employee_pct":"No statutory rate for occupational funds (varies by fund rules). GEPF: 7.5% of pensionable salary. RAF: up to 27.5% of remuneration/taxable income (capped at R430,000/year from 1 March 2026). Old Age Grant: tax-funded, no employee contribution.","employer_pct":"No statutory rate for occupational funds (varies by fund rules). GEPF: 13% of pensionable salary (16% for police, defence, correctional, and intelligence services). Employer contributions to approved funds are tax-deductible up to 10% of employee remuneration.","self_employed_pct":"Voluntary; may contribute to RAF up to 27.5% of taxable income (capped at R430,000/year from 1 March 2026)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Contributions must be made within the tax year (1 March – 28/29 February); excess contributions carry forward to future tax years","available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"Any South African tax resident may contribute to a Retirement Annuity Fund. Tax deduction limited to 27.5% of the greater of remuneration or taxable income, capped at R430,000/year from 1 March 2026 (up from R350,000). Employer contributions to occupational funds are treated as a taxable fringe benefit but are deductible in the employee's hands within the same 27.5%/R430,000 limit."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No statutory late retirement bonus. Occupational and RAF: continued contributions and investment growth if retirement is deferred; depends on fund rules.","early_reduction":"GEPF: 0.33% per month between early retirement date and normal retirement age of 60 (e.g., retiring at 55 = 19.9% reduction). Occupational funds: actuarial reduction per fund rules. RAF: no early retirement before age 55. Note: GEPF revised actuarial interest factors from 1 October 2025 reduce pre-retirement exit benefits (resignations/early exits) by an average of 15%; this does not affect the retirement benefit formula for members retiring at normal retirement age."},"access_options":{"notes":"At retirement from a pension, pension preservation, or RAF: up to one-third of retirement interest as a lump sum (first R550,000 tax-free lifetime cumulative, progressive rates above); two-thirds must purchase an annuity (living or guaranteed). If total retirement interest ≤ R360,000 (from 1 March 2026, up from R247,500), full amount may be taken as lump sum. Living annuity commutation threshold increased from R125,000 to R150,000 from 1 March 2026. Two-Pot System (from 1 September 2024): Savings Pot (one-third of new contributions) accessible once per tax year (minimum R2,000, taxed at marginal rate); Retirement Pot (two-thirds) locked until retirement. Vested Pot (pre-September 2024 savings) follows old rules. Provident fund post-March 2021 contributions subject to two-thirds annuitisation rule. Preservation funds: one withdrawal before retirement allowed from Vested Pot.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Tax emigration (cessation of SA tax residency via SARS): full withdrawal of retirement annuity and preservation funds allowed after being non-tax resident for an uninterrupted period of 3+ years (three-year rule, effective 1 March 2021). SARB exchange control emigration route abolished from 1 September 2024. Withdrawal subject to retirement lump sum withdrawal tax tables (0–36% progressive). SARS Approval for International Transfer (AIT) required for offshore transfers. From April 2024, SARS requires a Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (not just a TCS PIN) when applying for a tax directive to withdraw retirement funds as a non-resident. Retirement fund interests are not subject to CGT exit tax on cessation of SA tax residency (confirmed by Section 9H(4)(g) amendment). DTA relief may apply for non-residents receiving ongoing pension/annuity income (apply via RST01 form on SARS eFiling)."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"First R550,000 tax-free (lifetime, cumulative across all retirement fund lump sums from October 2007). Progressive rates above: 18% on R550,001–R770,000; 27% on R770,001–R1,155,000; 36% above R1,155,000. Withdrawal lump sums (pre-retirement): first R27,500 tax-free; 18% on R27,501–R726,000; 27% on R726,001–R1,089,000; 36% above R1,089,000. Two-Pot Savings Pot withdrawals taxed at marginal income tax rate (not retirement lump sum tables); IRP5 source code 3926. No changes to lump sum tables for 2025/26 or 2026/27 tax years (confirmed by SARS). Annuitisation de minimis threshold increased from R247,500 to R360,000 effective 1 March 2026 (Budget 2026); living annuity commutation threshold increased from R125,000 to R150,000 effective 1 March 2026. Retirement fund interests are not subject to CGT exit tax on cessation of SA tax residency.","special_tax_regimes":"Investment returns within approved retirement funds are tax-exempt. Employer contributions to approved funds are a taxable fringe benefit but deductible in employee's hands within the 27.5%/R430,000 limit (from 1 March 2026). Proposed removal of foreign pension exemption (s10(1)(gC)(ii)) from 1 March 2026 was withdrawn by National Treasury in November 2025 for broader consultation — current exemption remains in force pending further legislative process. Treasury has indicated the issue is not closed and further stakeholder engagement will take place. South Africa implemented the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) from 1 March 2026, expanding SARS's visibility over crypto-asset transactions; this does not directly affect retirement fund taxation but affects overall tax transparency.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA; private pensions typically taxed only in country of residence under OECD-model DTAs. Government/public service pensions (e.g., GEPF) may be taxed in South Africa as source country. Apply via RST01 on SARS eFiling.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"South Africa–US DTA in force. SA retirement funds are generally not qualified plans under US tax law; FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply for US persons holding SA retirement funds. Specialist US/SA cross-border tax advice recommended.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Government pensions (e.g., GEPF) may be taxed in South Africa as source country under many DTAs. Private occupational and RA pensions typically taxed only in country of residence. Specific DTA must be consulted.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive rates apply to ongoing pension/annuity income from SA sources. Non-residents may apply for DTA relief via RST01 form on SARS eFiling (valid 3 years) to reduce or eliminate withholding. From 11 April 2025, RST02 refund process discontinued; refunds now processed via annual tax return (ITR12). From April 2024, SARS requires a Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (not just TCS PIN) for tax directive applications by non-residents withdrawing retirement funds. From 11 April 2025, RST01 for gratuities and Two-Pot Savings Withdrawal Benefits must be submitted via eFiling (manual channel discontinued); IRP3(a) form used by fund for savings withdrawal benefit directives."},"indexation":{"notes":"Old Age Grant: not payable to non-residents; requires physical residence in South Africa. GEPF pensions: indexed annually; 2026 increase was 3.5% (100% of CPI for November 2025), minimum 75% of CPI required by GEP Law; 2025 increase was 2.9% (100% of CPI for November 2024). Occupational fund pensions: indexation depends on individual fund rules; no statutory requirement. Living annuities: no indexation guarantee; depends on drawdown rate and investment performance.","method":"Old Age Grant: annual government budget adjustment (typically above CPI). GEPF: minimum 75% of November year-on-year CPI, with catch-up increases if needed; increases effective 1 April each year. Occupational/RA: fund-specific rules.","abroad_status":"frozen"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Transfers abroad (lump sums): Permitted after tax emigration (cessation of SA tax residency via SARS) and 3-year non-residency period. Subject to SARS lump sum withdrawal tax and Approval for International Transfer (AIT) from SARS. From April 2024, SARS requires a Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (not just TCS PIN) for tax directive applications. SARB exchange control abolished for retirement fund transfers from 1 September 2024; all now managed through SARS and authorised dealer banks. Retirement fund interests are not subject to CGT exit tax on cessation of SA tax residency. Ongoing income streams (annuities): Active living annuities and guaranteed annuities can continue to be paid to non-residents abroad; subject to SA income tax unless DTA relief obtained via RST01. Fund-to-fund transfers: Permitted between SA retirement funds (pension, provident, preservation, RAF) without tax consequences. Transfer to foreign fund: Not permitted under SA law; must withdraw and remit proceeds."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Old Age Grant: Apply in person at nearest SASSA office (or online via SASSA Services portal). Application processed within up to 3 months; payments backdated to application date. Paid monthly (typically first business day of each month for older persons) via bank account, SASSA/Postbank card at pay points, or cash at approved pay points. From September 2025, biometric enrolment (fingerprint or facial recognition) required at application. GEPF: Claims submitted via Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA); members should attend pre-retirement workshops and notify employer at least 6 months in advance. Occupational/RAF: Contact fund administrator directly; Two-Pot Savings Pot withdrawals processed within 10–15 business days via fund's online portal or forms; one withdrawal per tax year (1 March to 28/29 February). Non-residents claiming DTA relief on ongoing pension/annuity: Apply via RST01 form on SARS eFiling (valid 3 years); refunds now via annual ITR12 tax return (RST02 discontinued from 11 April 2025). From 11 April 2025, RST01 for gratuities and Two-Pot Savings Withdrawal Benefits must be submitted via eFiling (manual channel discontinued). Non-residents withdrawing retirement funds: SARS Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter required (from April 2024) in addition to AIT process.","advance_timeline":"Old Age Grant: apply as soon as eligible (age 60+); processing up to 3 months. GEPF: attend pre-retirement workshops; notify employer and submit claims through GPAA at least 6 months before intended retirement date. RAF/occupational: notify fund administrator at least 3–6 months before intended retirement date.","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["13-digit bar-coded South African ID document (or refugee status permit and 13-digit refugee ID)","Proof of bank account (bank statement or letter)","Proof of residence","Proof of income and/or dividends (if any)","Proof of assets including property value","Proof of private pension (if any)","3-month bank statements","Proof of marital status (if applicable)","UIF blue book or discharge certificate from previous employer (if applicable)","Copy of spouse's death certificate, will, and liquidation accounts (if spouse died within last 5 years)","For non-resident DTA relief (RST01 via eFiling): certificate of residency, employment history on letterhead, proof income is taxed abroad","For non-resident retirement fund withdrawal: SARS Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (required from April 2024), SARS AIT approval","For GEPF early retirement: completed Z102, Z894, Z583 (if applicable), letter of approval from Head of Department, certified copy of ID, Retirement Choice form"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"SARS eFiling (www.sars.gov.za/efiling) accessible internationally for tax directives (RST01), tax returns, and emigration processes. SASSA Services portal (services.sassa.gov.za) accessible online. GEPF Self-Service portal accessible online. However, Old Age Grant itself requires physical residence in South Africa and cannot be paid abroad.","proof_of_life_notes":"SASSA requires an annual life certificate (proof of life) for beneficiaries receiving payment via bank, institution, or procurator. Beneficiaries are notified 3 months in advance of review date. Non-compliance results in grant suspension. SASSA conducts periodic biometric and income verification; in 2025/26, approximately 6 million bank accounts and 8 million credit bureau records were checked, over 291,000 grants flagged for review, and more than 34,000 cancelled. GEPF: automatic life status check via Department of Home Affairs for SA-resident pensioners (no manual life certificate required since 1 October 2011). Non-SA-resident GEPF pensioners and those whose status cannot be verified with Home Affairs continue to receive paper-based Life Verification forms.","international_contact":{"phone":"SASSA: GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za; FSCA: https://www.fsca.co.za"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"English (official); Afrikaans and other official languages accepted at SASSA offices","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Old Age Grant (Older Persons Grant)","type":"state","description":"Means-tested social assistance funded from general taxation. Payable to South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees aged 60+. Amount: R2,400/month (ages 60–74) and R2,420/month (ages 75+) from April 2026 per the 2026 Budget. Subject to means test: single income ≤ R107,880/year, assets ≤ R1,524,600; married combined income ≤ R215,760/year, assets ≤ R3,049,200 (thresholds as at April 2025, unchanged for 2026 April cycle). Must reside in South Africa. No contribution required. Administered by SASSA. From September 2025, biometric enrolment (fingerprint or facial recognition) required at application. SASSA has significantly increased verification activity: by December 2025, 6 million bank accounts and 8 million credit bureau records were cross-checked; over 291,000 grants were flagged for review and more than 34,000 cancelled.","officialUrl":"https://www.sassa.gov.za","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory defined benefit fund for all employees covered by the Public Service Act (national and provincial government). Africa's largest pension fund with R2.69 trillion in assets (surpassing R3 trillion during 2025/26, subject to audit), over 1.267 million active members, and 565,221 pensioners and beneficiaries as at 31 March 2025; 119% funded. Normal retirement age 60; early retirement from age 55 with actuarial reduction of 0.33% per month before age 60. Members with 10+ years' service receive a monthly annuity plus gratuity. Pension increases must be at least 75% of CPI; GEPF granted 3.5% increase effective 1 April 2026 (100% of CPI for November 2025). Revised actuarial interest factors implemented from 1 October 2025 reduce pre-retirement exit benefits (resignations and early exits) by an average of 15%; retirement benefits at normal retirement age are unaffected. Regulated under the Government Employees Pension Law. GEPF retirement age has NOT changed — confirmed by GEPF and fact-checked by Africa Check; widely circulated claims of a change to 67 are false. Proof of life for non-SA-resident pensioners: paper-based Life Verification form (automatic Home Affairs check used for SA-resident pensioners only, since 1 October 2011).","officialUrl":"https://www.gepf.co.za","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years for annuity entitlement; members with less than 10 years receive a lump sum gratuity only (equal to actuarial interest, reduced by avg 15% from 1 October 2025 for pre-retirement exits)","contributionRateEmployee":"7.5% of pensionable salary","contributionRateEmployer":"13% of pensionable salary (16% for police, defence, correctional, and intelligence services)"},{"name":"Occupational Pension and Provident Funds","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored funds regulated by the FSCA under the Pension Funds Act 24 of 1956. Predominantly defined contribution; defined benefit funds are now uncommon. Coverage estimated at 66–84% of formal sector employees. From 1 September 2024, subject to the Two-Pot System: one-third of new contributions to Savings Pot (accessible once per tax year from 1 March to 28/29 February, minimum R2,000, taxed at marginal rate), two-thirds to Retirement Pot (locked until retirement). Vested savings pre-September 2024 remain under old rules. At retirement, pension fund members may take up to one-third as a lump sum; two-thirds must be annuitised (unless total retirement interest ≤ R360,000 from 1 March 2026, up from R247,500). Provident fund post-2021 contributions also subject to two-thirds annuitisation rule. Living annuity commutation threshold increased from R125,000 to R150,000 from 1 March 2026.","officialUrl":"https://www.fsca.co.za","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Depends on fund rules","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by fund rules; no statutory minimum","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by fund rules; no statutory minimum"},{"name":"Retirement Annuity Funds (RAFs)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual retirement savings vehicles. Tax-deductible contributions up to 27.5% of the greater of remuneration or taxable income, capped at R430,000/year from 1 March 2026 (increased from R350,000 by Budget 2026; first increase since 2016); excess contributions carry forward. Accessible from age 55. Subject to Two-Pot System from 1 September 2024. At retirement: up to one-third as lump sum (first R550,000 tax-free lifetime cumulative, progressive rates above); two-thirds must purchase an annuity (unless total retirement interest ≤ R360,000 from 1 March 2026). Non-residents who have been tax non-resident for 3+ consecutive years (three-year rule, effective 1 March 2021) may withdraw full value including vested, retirement, and savings components. SARS Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (not just TCS PIN) required from April 2024 for tax directive applications. Regulated by FSCA.","officialUrl":"https://www.fsca.co.za","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"Up to 27.5% of remuneration or taxable income (capped at R430,000/year from 1 March 2026)","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Old Age Grant (SASSA): Not payable to non-residents. Applicants must reside in South Africa and must not be absent for more than 90 days within a 12-month period. Grant is cancelled if recipient permanently relocates abroad.","Occupational pension/annuity income from SA sources: Payable abroad; subject to SA income tax (progressive rates) unless DTA relief obtained. Non-residents apply via RST01 form on SARS eFiling. From 11 April 2025, RST02 refund process discontinued; refunds via annual ITR12 tax return. From 11 April 2025, RST01 for gratuities and Two-Pot Savings Withdrawal Benefits must be submitted via eFiling (manual channel discontinued).","Tax emigration (cessation of SA tax residency): Managed entirely through SARS since 1 March 2021. SARB exchange control emigration route abolished from 1 September 2024. Full withdrawal of retirement annuity and preservation funds permitted after 3 consecutive years of non-tax residency (three-year rule). From April 2024, SARS requires a Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter (not just a TCS PIN) when applying for a tax directive to withdraw retirement funds as a non-resident.","Retirement fund interests are not subject to CGT exit tax on cessation of SA tax residency (confirmed by Section 9H(4)(g) amendment); lump sum withdrawal tax tables apply instead.","Two-Pot Savings Pot withdrawals by non-residents: Fund must use IRP3(a) form for tax directive; DTA relief considered on application. Savings component remains accessible for immediate withdrawal even for non-residents; retirement and vested components subject to three-year rule. Over R43 billion withdrawn from Savings Pots since launch in September 2024.","South Africa has DTAs with 80+ countries covering pension income. Private pensions typically taxed only in country of residence; government pensions (GEPF) may be taxed in SA as source country. Specific DTA must be consulted.","Proposed removal of foreign pension exemption (s10(1)(gC)(ii)) from 1 March 2026 was withdrawn by National Treasury in November 2025 for broader consultation following strong public opposition. Current exemption for SA residents receiving foreign pensions for past foreign services remains in force. Treasury has indicated the issue is not closed and further stakeholder engagement will take place.","GEPF pensions: Payable abroad to non-resident pensioners; subject to SA tax unless DTA relief applies. GEPF is a government fund — government pension articles of DTAs typically apply. Non-SA-resident GEPF pensioners must complete paper-based Life Verification forms (automatic Home Affairs check not available for non-residents).","GEPF revised actuarial interest factors effective 1 October 2025 reduce pre-retirement exit benefits (resignations, early exits) by an average of 15%. Retirement benefits at normal retirement age (60) are unaffected. GEPF retirement age has NOT changed — confirmed by GEPF and fact-checked as false by Africa Check; the Public Service Act of 1994 sets compulsory retirement age at 60 with no amendment.","No comprehensive bilateral social security totalization agreements; contribution periods cannot generally be aggregated across borders for SA pension purposes.","Budget 2026 (effective 1 March 2026): Annual retirement fund contribution deduction cap increased from R350,000 to R430,000; annuitisation de minimis threshold increased from R247,500 to R360,000; living annuity commutation threshold increased from R125,000 to R150,000. Lump sum tax tables unchanged for 2026/27.","South Africa implemented the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) from 1 March 2026, expanding SARS's visibility over crypto-asset transactions and enabling international exchange of information from September 2027."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.sassa.gov.za","title":"Understand what exists","detail":"South Africa has no contributory state pension. The state Old Age Grant is means-tested and residence-based, administered by SASSA. Occupational retirement funds are private, and that is where a former employee's money sits."},{"n":2,"title":"Contact your fund or its administrator","detail":"Your statement comes from the fund, not from a government portal. If the employer has changed hands, the fund usually still exists or has been transferred."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/two-pot-retirement-system/","title":"Check the two-pot rules if you still have a live fund","detail":"From September 2024 retirement savings are split into a savings component and a retirement component, with different access rules. It changes what you can take and when."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/tax-during-all-life-stages-and-events/tax-and-non-residents/relief-from-south-african-tax-for-pension-and-annuity-income/","title":"If you have emigrated, check the tax position first","detail":"SARS governs withdrawals and the tax on pensions paid to non-residents, and treaty relief needs a formal application. Do this before instructing a withdrawal, not after."},{"n":5,"title":"Keep the fund statement","detail":"It is the only record of the entitlement, and no state body holds a copy for you."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"Your former employer no longer exists","whatToDo":"The fund is a separate legal entity from the employer. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority maintains records of funds, and there is a long-standing unclaimed benefits problem in South Africa — searching is worthwhile."},{"symptom":"You were told you would get a state pension","whatToDo":"The Old Age Grant is means-tested and requires South African residence. If you have emigrated, it is generally not available, and your private fund is the entitlement that travels."},{"symptom":"You cannot get the fund to respond","whatToDo":"The Pension Funds Adjudicator handles complaints against funds and administrators, and the service is free to members."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.sassa.gov.za","portalName":"SASSA / your retirement fund","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your South African ID number, or the passport used while you worked there.","The name of your employer's pension or provident fund, and its administrator — this is where any accumulated money actually is.","Your tax number, if you expect to withdraw: SARS clearance governs what leaves the country."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether SASSA services can be accessed at all from outside South Africa.","documentNameLocal":"Retirement fund statement / SASSA Old Age Grant","documentNameEnglish":"Retirement fund statement and state grant record"}},{"country":"South Korea","country_code":"KR","continent":"asia","currency":"KRW","retirement_age_early":58,"retirement_age_full":63,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"South Korea operates a multi-pillar social insurance pension system anchored by the National Pension Service (NPS), established in 1988 under the National Pension Act of 1986. The NPS is a partially-funded, defined-benefit pay-as-you-go scheme providing old-age, disability, and survivor benefits, and is mandatory for employed and self-employed persons aged 18 to under 60. As of January 2026, a landmark reform enacted in March 2025 raised the total contribution rate from 9% to 9.5% — the first increase in 28 years — with further annual 0.5 percentage point increases scheduled through 2033 (reaching 13%). The reform also raised the target replacement rate from 41.5% to 43% and expanded childbirth credits (now starting from the first child, with the 50-month cap abolished) and military service credits (doubled to 12 months). The NPS fund, valued at approximately 1,610 trillion won (US$1.07 trillion) as of February 2026, is the world's third-largest pension fund, though it faces long-term sustainability pressures due to South Korea's rapidly aging population — which entered 'super-aged' status in 2025 — and one of the highest elderly poverty rates among OECD nations (approximately 39.7%).\n\nThe second pillar consists of mandatory employer-sponsored retirement pensions (퇴직연금) under the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act (ERBSA), which replaced the traditional severance pay system. Employers must contribute at least 1/12 of annual salary, and plans may be structured as defined benefit (DB), defined contribution (DC), or Individual Retirement Pension (IRP). The third pillar comprises voluntary tax-advantaged individual pension savings accounts (개인연금), including IRP accounts, with a combined annual tax-deductible contribution limit of KRW 9 million (pension savings + IRP). South Korea also maintains a non-contributory Basic Pension (기초연금) for the bottom 70% of elderly by income (approximately KRW 349,700/month in 2026, rising to KRW 400,000 for the lowest-income bracket), and separate public pension schemes for civil servants, military personnel, and private school teachers, which operate independently from the NPS on a PAYG basis with higher contribution and replacement rates. As of mid-2026, legislation to raise the statutory mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 in a phased approach is actively being pursued.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.nps.or.kr/eng","name":"National Pension Service (NPS) — English"},{"url":"https://www.nps.or.kr","name":"National Pension Service — Korean"},{"url":"https://fund.nps.or.kr/eng/main.do","name":"NPS Investment Management (Fund Overview)"},{"url":"https://www.mohw.go.kr","name":"Ministry of Health and Welfare"},{"url":"https://www.moel.go.kr/english","name":"Ministry of Employment and Labour"},{"url":"https://www.fss.or.kr/eng","name":"Financial Supervisory Service (private pensions)"},{"url":"https://www.hometax.go.kr","name":"National Tax Service (Hometax)"},{"url":"https://www.investkorea.org/ik-en/cntnts/i-414/web.do","name":"InvestKorea — Retirement Allowance Guide"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/kr/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/kr","system_type":"Bismarckian / Social insurance, earnings-related, partially-funded defined-benefit (NPS); supplemented by mandatory occupational DC/DB and voluntary private savings","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: Basic Pension (기초연금) — means-tested, government-funded, for bottom 70% of elderly by income; Pillar 1: NPS (mandatory, partially-funded DB, PAYG); Pillar 1b: Special occupational pensions for civil servants, military, teachers (separate PAYG schemes); Pillar 2: Retirement Pension/퇴직연금 (mandatory employer-sponsored DB/DC/IRP); Pillar 3: Individual Pension Savings/개인연금 (voluntary, tax-advantaged)","replacement_rate_gross":"43% (target rate from 2026 for 40 years of contributions at age 65; actual average effective rate is lower, ~22–27% for typical workers with partial contribution histories)","min_qualifying_period":"10 years (120 months) of contributions for old-age pension; 20 years for full standard pension","min_qualifying_partial":"10 years (120 months) for reduced early pension from age 58 (rising to age 60 by 2033)","aggregation_rules":"Totalization agreements allow combining contribution periods across partner countries for benefit eligibility. Under the US–Korea agreement (in force since April 1, 2001), a minimum of 18 months of Korean NPS coverage is required before US periods can be totalized. Combined periods are used only to establish eligibility; each country pays a pro-rata benefit based on actual contributions in its own system. Korea also permits triangular totalization in some cases where a third country has agreements with both Korea and the other country.","totalization_partners":["Argentina","Australia","Austria","Belgium","Brazil","Bulgaria","Canada","Chile","China","Croatia","Czech Republic","Denmark","Finland","France","Germany","Hungary","India","Iran","Ireland","Italy","Japan","Luxembourg","Mongolia","Morocco (signed, not yet in force)","Netherlands","New Zealand","Norway","Peru","Philippines","Poland","Quebec","Romania","Slovakia","Slovenia","Spain","Sweden","Switzerland","Turkey","United Kingdom","United States","Uruguay","Uzbekistan","Vietnam"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Total NPS rate: 9.5% from 1 January 2026 (first increase in 28 years, up from 9.0%); rising by 0.5pp/year to 13% by 2033 per the March 2025 reform legislation (approved by National Assembly 20 March 2025, published in Government Gazette 2 April 2025). Contributions capped at monthly salary of KRW 6,370,000 (Jan–Jun 2026) / KRW 6,590,000 (Jul 2026 onward); maximum employee contribution KRW 302,570/month (Jan–Jun 2026) and KRW 313,025/month (Jul 2026–Jun 2027). Employee NPS contributions are fully tax-deductible. Self-employed and individually insured persons pay the full rate themselves.","employee_pct":"4.75 (2026); increasing 0.25pp/year to 6.5% by 2033","employer_pct":"4.75 (2026); increasing 0.25pp/year to 6.5% by 2033","self_employed_pct":"9.5 (2026, full rate paid individually); rising 0.5pp/year to 13% by 2033"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Year-end (December 31) for annual tax deduction purposes on IRP/pension savings contributions","available":true,"annual_cost":"NPS voluntary contributions: 9.5% of declared income (self-selected, 2026 rate); IRP/pension savings: up to KRW 18 million/year total; KRW 9 million tax-deductible (pension savings up to KRW 6 million + IRP up to KRW 3 million)","benefit_per_year":"NPS: additional credited contribution months toward pension eligibility and benefit calculation. IRP/pension savings: tax credit of 12–15% on contributions up to KRW 9 million/year","eligibility_conditions":"NPS voluntary coverage: available to persons under age 27 without income, spouses of insured persons, retirees wishing to extend coverage, and persons aged 60 wishing to reach 20-year minimum. IRP: open to any individual including foreigners with Korean residency. Voluntarily and continuously insured persons (임의계속가입자) are those aged 60 who wish to reach the 20-year minimum for full pension eligibility."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+7.2% per year of deferral beyond standard retirement age (maximum +36% for 5 years of deferral)","early_reduction":"-6% per year claimed before standard retirement age (maximum -30% for 5 years early); early pension claimable from age 58 (rising to 60 by 2033) with 10+ years of contributions"},"access_options":{"notes":"NPS: Monthly annuity from age 63 (rising to 65 by 2033) with 10+ years of contributions. Lump-sum refund (반환일시금) available if fewer than 10 years of contributions at age 60, upon permanent emigration, or upon death. Retirement Pension (퇴직연금): DB plans pay minimum of 1 month final salary per year of service; DC/IRP plans pay accumulated balance as lump sum or annuity from age 55 with 5+ years of participation. Annuity option from IRP/DC receives preferential tax treatment (3.3–5.5% retirement income tax vs. higher lump-sum rates). In-service withdrawals from DC/IRP are restricted but permitted for home purchase, hospitalization of 6+ months, and court-ordered bankruptcy.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Foreign workers: NPS lump-sum refund available upon permanent departure if (1) home country grants equivalent refund to Korean nationals (reciprocity), or (2) a social security agreement on lump-sum refund exists with Korea, or (3) worker held E-8, E-9, or H-2 visa. Refund includes contributions plus interest (calculated at 3-year fixed deposit rate). A flat 6.75% withholding tax applies to the lump-sum refund amount; treaty may reduce this. Refund can be claimed in person at NPS office, by mail with apostilled/consulate-attested documents, through home country social insurance institution (for agreement countries), or at Incheon International Airport on departure day."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Retirement income (lump sum) is taxed separately from global income at reduced rates. Severance pay/retirement income receives a deduction based on years of service and is taxed at 70% of the applicable progressive income tax rates. NPS lump-sum refund for departing foreigners: 6.75% flat withholding (treaty may reduce). IRP/DC lump-sum withdrawal: taxed as retirement income at standard retirement income tax rates.","special_tax_regimes":"Foreign workers beginning employment in Korea by December 31, 2026 may elect a flat 19% income tax rate (excluding 2% local surtax) on Korean-source employment income for up to 20 years from first day of work in Korea, forfeiting all deductions and credits. This sunset has been extended repeatedly in past reform cycles. NPS employee contributions are fully deductible from Korean taxable income for residents. IRP/pension savings contributions receive a 12–15% tax credit on up to KRW 9 million/year.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Under most tax treaties, private pension income is taxable only in the country of residence (0% Korean withholding). Under the US–Korea treaty, private pensions are taxable only in the recipient's country of residence; government pensions paid to citizens of the paying state are exempt in the other state. Korea has income tax treaties with 97 countries as of January 2026.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US persons must report NPS and IRP accounts on FBAR (FinCEN 114) if aggregate foreign financial accounts exceed $10,000. FATCA Form 8938 reporting may apply. NPS is a foreign pension plan; contributions may not be deductible on US returns without specific treaty election. The US–Korea totalization agreement governs Social Security/NPS coverage for cross-border workers.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Government/public pensions (NPS, civil servant, military, teachers) are taxable as pension income in Korea. Under the US–Korea treaty, government pensions paid to citizens of the paying state for government service are exempt in the other state (Article 22). Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence (Article 23).","nonresident_withholding_pct":"22% (20% + 2% local income tax) general withholding on Korean-source income for non-residents; 6.75% flat withholding on NPS lump-sum refund for departing foreigners; pension annuity payments to non-residents subject to 22% unless reduced by treaty"},"indexation":{"notes":"NPS pensions are indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) regardless of where the recipient resides. In 2026, all NPS payments increased by 2.1% reflecting 2025 CPI. Indexation applies equally to residents and non-residents. Basic Pension also indexed to CPI annually.","method":"Annual CPI adjustment, applied each January based on prior year's consumer price inflation rate, as mandated by the National Pension Act","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"NPS pensions are fully payable abroad via overseas bank remittance; no requirement to reside in Korea to receive benefits. Totalization agreements with 43 countries (as of December 2025) allow combining contribution periods for eligibility. For departing foreigners not eligible for a pension, lump-sum refund is available subject to reciprocity or agreement conditions. Retirement pension (퇴직연금) balances in IRP accounts are portable between employers and can be maintained until retirement age. No direct transfer of NPS contributions to a foreign pension system is available; totalization agreements preserve periods rather than transferring funds."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"NPS old-age pension: Apply at any NPS branch office in Korea, by mail from abroad, online via the NPS website (simplified authentication via Naver, KakaoTalk, or bank certificate available since 2024), or through the home country's social insurance institution (for totalization agreement countries). Lump-sum refund for departing foreigners: apply in person at NPS office before departure, at Incheon International Airport on departure day (cash in foreign currency, weekdays only, flights 10:30–24:00 Terminal 1 / 11:00–24:00 Terminal 2), by postal mail after departure with apostilled/consulate-attested documents, or through home country social insurance institution (for agreement countries). Processing time for refunds to Korean bank accounts: approximately 4–6 weeks. NPS central information line: 1355 (English service available).","advance_timeline":"Apply at least a few weeks before intended pension start date or departure; airport lump-sum service requires employer to report resignation to NPS by the day before departure","payment_frequency":"Monthly (annuity pension); one-time (lump-sum refund)","required_documents":["Passport or national ID","Alien Registration Card (for foreigners in Korea)","Bank account details (Korean account or overseas remittance details)","Proof of departure/emigration (for lump-sum refund claims)","Official documents issued overseas: attested by local Korean consulate (or Apostille certificate for Apostille Convention countries)","Private documents issued overseas: notarized by notary public AND attested by local Korean consulate (or Apostille)","Foreign-language documents: translated into Korean and notarized","Power of attorney (if applying through an agent)","Certificate of Coverage from home country social insurance institution (for totalization agreement countries)","Proof of resignation reported by employer (for airport lump-sum service)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"NPS online services accessible internationally at www.nps.or.kr/eng. Since 2024, simplified authentication methods (Naver, KakaoTalk, bank certificates) have replaced the older public digital certificate requirement, making online access easier for foreigners. The NPS International Service Center (established 2011) handles overseas inquiries. NPS also has an office in New York (One Vanderbilt).","proof_of_life_notes":"No ongoing proof-of-life affidavit is typically required for NPS pension recipients abroad. The NPS may periodically verify beneficiary status through administrative channels. Lump-sum refund claims are one-time transactions and do not require ongoing proof of life.","international_contact":{"phone":"NPS International Affairs Division; +82-1355; New York office at One Vanderbilt"},"proof_of_life_required":false,"correspondence_language":"Korean (primary); English available at NPS International Service Center and via the 1355 helpline","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"National Pension (국민연금, NPS)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related partially-funded DB scheme established 1988. Benefit formula: 1.2 × years of contribution × (A-value + B-value)/2, where A = average insured income of all subscribers and B = individual career average income. Progressive redistributive design. Provides old-age, disability, and survivor pensions. Compulsory for employed and self-employed persons aged 18–59. Contribution rate 9.5% in 2026 (4.75% each employer/employee), rising by 0.5pp/year to 13% by 2033. Contributions capped at monthly salary of KRW 6,370,000 (Jan–Jun 2026) / KRW 6,590,000 (Jul 2026 onward). Benefits indexed annually to CPI. Full pension requires age 63 (rising to 65 by 2033) and 20 years of contributions; minimum pension requires 10 years. From January 2026: childbirth credit now starts from first child (12 months per child for first and second, 18 months for each subsequent child), 50-month cap abolished; military service credit doubled to 12 months (actual service period up to 12 months for service completed on or after 1 January 2026). A new clause formally guarantees the state's obligation to pay NPS benefits.","officialUrl":"https://www.nps.or.kr/eng","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years (120 months) minimum for old-age pension; 20 years for full standard pension","contributionRateEmployee":"4.75% (2026); increasing 0.25pp/year to 6.5% by 2033","contributionRateEmployer":"4.75% (2026); increasing 0.25pp/year to 6.5% by 2033"},{"name":"Retirement Pension (퇴직연금)","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory employer-sponsored scheme under the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act (ERBSA), replacing the traditional severance pay system. Employers must contribute at least 1/12 of annual salary (approximately 8.33% of annual salary). Three plan types available: Defined Benefit (DB) — minimum benefit of one month's final salary per year of service; Defined Contribution (DC) — employer contributes ≥1/12 of annual salary, employee bears investment risk; Individual Retirement Pension (IRP) — portable individual account. Companies with 5+ employees may convert severance pay to corporate pension with agreement of 50%+ of employees. Employers with fewer than 30 employees may offer IRP instead. DC plans must offer at least 3 investment options including one with an interest guarantee. Benefits payable as lump sum or annuity from age 55 with 5+ years of participation. Severance/retirement benefit entitlement requires 1 year of continuous employment.","officialUrl":"https://www.moel.go.kr/english","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"1 year of continuous employment for severance/retirement benefit entitlement","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary additional contributions permitted","contributionRateEmployer":"≥1/12 of annual salary (DC/IRP); DB must fund minimum benefit equivalent to 1 month final salary per year of service"},{"name":"Individual Pension Savings (개인연금 / IRP)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary tax-advantaged individual retirement accounts. Includes pension savings accounts (연금저축) and Individual Retirement Pension (IRP, 개인형퇴직연금). Annual contribution limit: KRW 18 million total (pension savings + IRP combined). Tax deduction limit: KRW 9 million per year combined (pension savings up to KRW 6 million + IRP up to KRW 3 million). Tax credit rate: 12% (or 15% for income below KRW 45 million/year). Investment returns are tax-deferred. Benefits accessible from age 55 with 5+ years of participation; annuity payments taxed at reduced retirement income tax rates (3.3–5.5% depending on age). Lump-sum withdrawal taxed at higher rates. Foreigners may open IRP accounts in Korea.","officialUrl":"https://www.fss.or.kr/eng","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"5 years minimum participation required for tax-advantaged annuity withdrawal from age 55","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to KRW 18 million/year total (pension savings + IRP); KRW 9 million tax-deductible","contributionRateEmployer":"Employer may contribute severance/retirement pay into employee IRP"},{"name":"Basic Pension (기초연금)","type":"state","description":"Non-contributory, means-tested pension for the bottom 70% of elderly by income, funded from general government revenue. Introduced in 2008 (as Basic Old-Age Pension), expanded in 2014. Monthly benefit in 2026: approximately KRW 349,700 (standard maximum, increased ~2.1% from 2025 reflecting CPI); low-income seniors in the bottom 50% of median income receive KRW 400,000/month from 2026. Eligibility threshold: monthly recognized income ≤ KRW 2,470,000 (single household) or ≤ KRW 3,952,000 (couple) in 2026. Amount depends on income, NPS contribution history, property ownership, and household status. Government is planning to overhaul the eligibility structure from 2027, moving from a fixed 70% percentile to a median-income-linked standard. Provides a safety net for those with insufficient NPS contributions.","officialUrl":"https://www.mohw.go.kr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No contribution requirement; means-tested eligibility at age 65","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["NPS old-age pensions are fully payable abroad with no residency requirement; benefits are CPI-indexed regardless of country of residence.","As of December 2025, Korea has 43 social security (totalization) agreements in effect, including with the US (since April 1, 2001), EU member states, Japan, China, Australia, and others; Morocco agreement signed but not yet in force.","Lump-sum refund (반환일시금) for departing foreigners: subject to 6.75% flat withholding tax; treaty may reduce this rate. Refund includes both employee and employer contributions plus interest.","Lump-sum refund service available at Incheon International Airport since 2010 (cash in foreign currency on departure day, weekdays only).","Foreign workers from countries without a totalization agreement or reciprocity arrangement generally cannot claim a lump-sum refund upon departure (with exceptions for E-8, E-9, H-2 visa holders).","NPS contribution rate reform enacted March 2025 (effective January 2026): rate rises from 9% to 9.5% in 2026, then 0.5pp/year to 13% by 2033; employer and employee continue to split equally (4.75% each in 2026).","NPS contribution salary ceiling updated to KRW 6,590,000/month effective July 2026 (up from KRW 6,370,000); maximum employee contribution KRW 313,025/month from July 2026.","Target replacement rate increased from 41.5% (2025) to 43.0% (2026) for 40 years of contributions at age 65.","Childbirth credit expanded from January 2026: first child now qualifies (12 months); second child 12 months; third and subsequent children 18 months each; 50-month cap eliminated. Ministry of Health and Welfare proposed further increasing second-child credit to 15 months in H2 2026.","Military service credit doubled from 6 to 12 months (actual service period, up to 12 months) for service completed on or after January 1, 2026.","Under the US–Korea income tax treaty, private pension income is taxable only in the country of residence; government pensions paid to citizens of the paying state are exempt in the other state.","Korea has income tax treaties with 97 countries as of January 2026; pensions are generally exempt from Korean source-country withholding under treaty provisions.","The NPS fund (world's 3rd largest, ~US$1.07 trillion / 1,610 trillion won at end-February 2026) posted a record 18.82% return in 2025. The 2025 reform aims to extend solvency to at least 2064 (from 2050 without reform), with assets projected to nearly double to 3,500 trillion won by 2050.","Separate public pension schemes exist for civil servants (공무원연금), military personnel (군인연금), and private school teachers (사학연금), operating independently from NPS with higher contribution rates (~17%) and replacement rates (~70% after 30 years).","US persons holding NPS or IRP accounts abroad must consider FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations; the Social Security Fairness Act (January 2025) eliminated WEP/GPO reductions for those receiving foreign pensions alongside US Social Security.","As of March 2026, the South Korean government formally accepted a recommendation to raise the statutory mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 in a phased approach and committed to pursuing legislation; as of August 2026, the Democratic Party plans to introduce legislation by year-end 2026 to phase the retirement age to 65 by 2037. No law has yet been enacted.","Basic Pension (기초연금) 2026 update: maximum monthly benefit approximately KRW 349,700 for standard recipients; KRW 400,000 for lowest-income seniors (bottom 50% of median income). Eligibility threshold: KRW 2,470,000/month (single) and KRW 3,952,000/month (couple). Government plans to overhaul eligibility structure from 2027.","Foreign workers electing the flat 19% income tax rate (available to those beginning employment in Korea by December 31, 2026) may do so for up to 20 years from their first day of work in Korea, forfeiting all standard deductions and credits."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.nps.or.kr","title":"Open the NPS English site","detail":"NPS runs the national pension and publishes a full English service for foreign contributors."},{"n":2,"title":"Request your contribution record","detail":"It shows the months you contributed and the reported income behind them. Korea's minimum qualifying period is 10 years for an old-age pension."},{"n":3,"title":"Check the reciprocity rule if you are a foreign national","detail":"A lump-sum refund on departure is available to nationals of countries that offer Korean workers equivalent treatment, or where a totalisation agreement provides for it. Otherwise contributions stay in the system until pension age."},{"n":4,"title":"Check totalisation if you fall short of 10 years","detail":"Korea has agreements with more than 40 countries, allowing foreign periods to count toward the qualifying period."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"NPS pays pensions abroad by international remittance and does not require you to live in Korea, so a Korean entitlement is worth keeping track of even from far away."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You no longer have Korean online authentication","whatToDo":"NPS accepts applications and enquiries by post from abroad, and claims can be filed through the social insurance authority of your country of residence where an agreement exists."},{"symptom":"You are unsure whether your nationality qualifies for a refund","whatToDo":"Ask NPS directly rather than relying on general advice: the list is specific, and it is the sort of question their English service exists to answer."},{"symptom":"You worked in Korea briefly and assume nothing accrued","whatToDo":"Contributions are recorded from the first month. Even below the 10-year threshold, the months may count via totalisation or qualify for a refund."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.nps.or.kr","portalName":"National Pension Service (NPS)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Korean resident registration number, or the foreigner registration number you held while working in Korea.","Your Korean employers and dates.","Your nationality — for foreign workers, whether you can take a lump-sum refund depends on whether your country gives Koreans the same treatment."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the simplified online authentication (bank certificate, Naver, KakaoTalk) works from outside Korea.","documentNameLocal":"국민연금 가입내역","documentNameEnglish":"National Pension contribution record"}},{"country":"Spain","country_code":"ES","continent":"europe","currency":"EUR","retirement_age_early":61,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Spain operates a mandatory pay-as-you-go (PAYG) earnings-related defined benefit public pension system administered by the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) under the Seguridad Social framework. It is one of the most generous systems in the OECD, with a gross replacement rate of approximately 80% for average earners — the joint highest in the OECD alongside Greece (Pensions at a Glance 2025). The system is financed by compulsory contributions from employers and employees, with the state pension payable worldwide subject to bilateral or EU coordination rules. Major reforms in 2011 and 2021–2023 progressively raised the retirement age to 67 (to be fully phased in by 2027), extended the pension calculation period, reintroduced CPI-linked indexation (Law 21/2021), and introduced the Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (MEI) — a surcharge replacing the former Sustainability Factor — to replenish the pension reserve fund. From 2026, a new dual calculation method began phasing in: the Social Security automatically calculates pensions using both the traditional 25-year method (last 300 months ÷ 350) and a new adjusted high-basis method (best 302 months out of the last 304 months ÷ 352.33), applying whichever is more favourable. This system will expand progressively through 2037, eventually reaching a 29-year window with the 2 worst years excluded, becoming mandatory from 2044. The ordinary retirement age in 2026 is 66 years and 10 months (for those with fewer than 38 years and 3 months of contributions), rising to 67 in 2027.\n\nThe second and third pillars remain voluntary and relatively underdeveloped compared to other EU countries. Occupational pension plans (planes de pensiones de empleo) are promoted by employers and may be defined benefit or defined contribution; coverage is limited but growing following 2023 reforms encouraging simplified employment pension plans. Individual pension plans (planes de pensiones individuales) are available to all residents, with tax-deductible contributions capped at EUR 1,500/year for individuals (rising to EUR 5,750 for self-employed and up to EUR 8,500 combined with employer contributions). From January 2025, members of individual and associate pension plans may withdraw consolidated rights from contributions made at least 10 years ago. The Convenio Especial allows individuals temporarily outside the workforce — including expats — to make voluntary contributions to maintain pension rights.\n\nSpain has an extensive network of bilateral totalization agreements covering over 25 countries, plus full EU coordination under EC 883/2004. Pensions are uprated annually by CPI for all recipients regardless of country of residence — contributory pensions were revalued by 2.8% in 2025 and 2.7% in 2026. Non-resident pensioners must submit proof of life (Fe de Vida) twice in 2026 (January–March and September), now facilitated by the VIVESS mobile app (biometric facial recognition). From August 2026, flexible retirement (jubilación flexible) was expanded via Royal Decreto 416/2026 to include self-employed workers (autónomos), allowing pensioners to return to part-time work while drawing a portion of their pension.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.seg-social.es","name":"Seguridad Social — Official Portal"},{"url":"https://sede.seg-social.gob.es","name":"INSS Sede Electrónica"},{"url":"https://www.seg-social.es/wps/portal/wss/internet/Pensionistas/ddca929f-cce4-4850-b2e7-702d46e8d9ac/movilvivess","name":"VIVESS — Proof of Life App (Seguridad Social)"},{"url":"https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es","name":"Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) — Tax Authority"},{"url":"https://www.inclusion.gob.es","name":"Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/es/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/es","system_type":"Bismarckian (earnings-related, contributory PAYG defined benefit public system) with voluntary supplementary occupational and individual DC pillars","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Seguridad Social — mandatory PAYG earnings-related DB (INSS); Pillar 2: Planes de pensiones de empleo — voluntary occupational DC (employer-promoted); Pillar 3: Planes de pensiones individuales / asociados — voluntary individual and associate DC plans","replacement_rate_gross":"~80% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025 — joint highest in OECD with Greece)","min_qualifying_period":"15 years of contributions (at least 2 within the 15 years immediately preceding retirement)","min_qualifying_partial":"15 years = 50% of regulatory base; 100% requires 36 years 6 months (2023–2026), rising to 37 years from 2027","aggregation_rules":"EU/EEA: aggregation (totalization) of insurance periods across member states under EC 883/2004. Pro-rata calculation based on contribution days in Spain vs. total aggregated contribution days. Spain pays a proportional share of the theoretical full-career pension. UK: coordinated under EU-UK TCA (1 January 2021). Bilateral agreements: totalization of periods to meet minimum qualifying thresholds; each country pays its own pro-rata benefit; single-jurisdiction coverage to avoid dual contributions; equal treatment and benefit export guaranteed. US: 1986 agreement currently in force; new 2023 agreement signed April 8, 2023 (pending entry into force as of mid-2026 — not yet ratified/transmitted through US legislative process).","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA member states (EC 883/2004)","United Kingdom (EU-UK TCA)","Andorra","Argentina","Australia","Brazil","Canada","Cape Verde","Chile","China","Colombia","Dominican Republic","Ecuador","Japan","Mexico","Moldova","Morocco","Paraguay","Peru","Philippines","Russia","Senegal","South Korea","Tunisia","Ukraine","United States","Uruguay","Venezuela","Ibero-American Social Security Convention countries"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Maximum contribution base: EUR 5,101.20/month (2026), confirmed by Order PJC/297/2026 of March 30, 2026. Minimum contribution base: EUR 1,424.40/month (2026). MEI (Mecanismo de Equidad Intergeneracional): total 0.9% in 2026 (up from 0.8% in 2025), rising to 1.2% by 2032. Solidarity contribution on salaries above maximum base (EUR 5,101.20/month): Tier 1 (EUR 5,101.21–5,611.32): 1.15% total (0.96% employer / 0.19% employee); Tier 2 (EUR 5,611.33–7,651.80): 1.25% total (1.04% employer / 0.21% employee); Tier 3 (above EUR 7,651.81): 1.46% total (1.22% employer / 0.24% employee). Rates increase annually until 2045. Does not generate additional pension entitlements. Self-employed contribution system based on real net income (15 brackets), phased in from 2023; minimum base for lowest bracket EUR 653.59, maximum EUR 5,101.20.","employee_pct":"4.7% (common contingencies) + 0.15% MEI (2026) = 4.85%; plus solidarity contribution (employee share: 0.19%/0.21%/0.24% by tier) on salary above EUR 5,101.20/month cap","employer_pct":"23.6% (common contingencies) + 0.75% MEI (2026) = 24.35%; plus solidarity contribution (employer share: 0.96%/1.04%/1.22% by tier) on salary above EUR 5,101.20/month cap; plus variable occupational accident rate (e.g. 1.5% office work)","self_employed_pct":"31.4% general rate on chosen contribution base (real-income bracket system from 2023, transitional until 2032); plus 0.9% MEI (2026) fully borne by self-employed; solidarity contribution does not apply to self-employed (RETA)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Convenio Especial: apply within prescribed period after leaving workforce; pension plan contributions: by December 31 of tax year for IRPF deduction","available":true,"annual_cost":"Convenio Especial: contribution based on chosen base (minimum base applies; contributor pays both employer and employee portions); Individual pension plans: up to EUR 1,500/year (individual), EUR 5,750/year (self-employed), EUR 8,500/year (with employer match)","benefit_per_year":"Convenio Especial: each year of voluntary contributions counts toward qualifying period and regulatory base calculation. Pension plan: tax deduction from IRPF base at marginal rate; benefit at retirement taxed as employment income.","eligibility_conditions":"Convenio Especial (Special Agreement): available to individuals who have previously contributed to Spanish Social Security but are temporarily outside the workforce (e.g. expats working abroad, career breaks). Requires prior contribution history and compliance with regulatory conditions. Allows continuation of pension rights accrual. Separate from healthcare convenio especial. Individual pension plans: open to all individuals with legal capacity, no age restriction. Self-employed additional limit (EUR 4,250) applies to contributions to simplified employment pension plans (planes de pensiones de empleo simplificados). From age 45, additional voluntary contributions available to reinforce contribution base for survivors' pension."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"+4% per full year of deferral beyond ordinary retirement age (or equivalent lump sum, or mixed combination). From April 2025 reform: from the second year of delay, an additional 2% increment applies for each period of delay exceeding 6 months but less than 1 year (no need to complete a full year). Active retirement (working while drawing pension) compatible with late-payment supplement if retirement deferred by at least 1 year.","early_reduction":"Voluntary early retirement (up to 2 years before ordinary age, min. 35 years contributions): monthly reduction coefficients applied permanently. In 2026, penalties range from approximately 2.81% (1 month early) to ~21% (full 2-year advance), depending on months of anticipation and years contributed. Involuntary early retirement (up to 4 years before ordinary age, min. 33 years contributions): separate (lower) reduction coefficients apply. Coefficients applied monthly (since January 2024) rather than quarterly. In 2026, voluntary early retirement minimum age: 63 (with 38+ years and 3 months contributions) or 64 years and 10 months (below threshold). Involuntary early retirement minimum age: 61 (with 38+ years and 3 months contributions) or 62 years and 10 months (below threshold)."},"access_options":{"notes":"State pension (Seguridad Social): annuity only — no lump-sum option. Paid monthly (14 payments/year including two extraordinary payments in June and November). Occupational and individual pension plans (planes de pensiones): choice of lump sum, annuity (periodic income), or mixed at retirement or upon qualifying contingency. Lump sum fully taxable as employment income under IRPF general base; 40% reduction available for pre-2007 contributions taken as lump sum (transitional regime). From January 2025, early partial withdrawal of consolidated rights from contributions aged 10+ years permitted for individual and associate plans (occupational plans subject to plan rules). Early access also permitted for: long-term unemployment, serious illness, permanent disability, death. From August 28, 2026 (Royal Decreto 416/2026): flexible retirement (jubilación flexible) expanded to include self-employed workers (autónomos), allowing pensioners to return to part-time work while drawing a portion of their pension (up to 25% for autónomos); no mandatory waiting period required.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State pension payable worldwide with sufficient contributions. EU portability applies under EC 883/2004. Spain has bilateral agreements with 25+ countries. Private pension plans accessible regardless of residency at retirement age or qualifying contingency. Non-resident withholding under applicable DTA or IRNR (24% general; 19% EU/EEA). Pension income taxed on a progressive scale for non-residents under IRNR (treaty provisions typically override)."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"No general lump-sum option for state pension. Occupational and individual pension plan lump sums: fully taxable as employment income (general IRPF base) in year of receipt. 40% tax reduction available for pre-2007 contributions taken as lump sum (transitional regime under Law 35/2006). Lump-sum withdrawal can push taxpayer into higher marginal brackets (19%–47%); annuity withdrawal generally more tax-efficient.","special_tax_regimes":"Beckham Law (Régimen de Impatriados, Law 28/2022): elective regime for qualifying workers relocating to Spain; flat 24% IRNR rate on Spanish-source income up to EUR 600,000 (47% above); foreign income generally not taxed in Spain. Election via Modelo 149 within 6 months of activity start; annual return via Modelo 151. Not applicable to pension income from prior Spanish contributions. IRPF filing threshold for pension income: EUR 22,000/year if pension is sole income source; EUR 15,000/year if other income sources exist.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty and pension type. Under most DTAs, private pensions are taxable in the country of residence (Spain if resident; home country if non-resident). Government/public service pensions generally taxable only in the paying country (with exemption-with-progression in Spain). US-Spain DTA (1990, amended 2013): private pensions taxable in Spain for Spanish residents; US reserves right to tax US citizens regardless (savings clause). UK-Spain DTA: Spain has primary taxing rights on pensions for Spanish residents; government pensions taxed in UK (exempt with progression in Spain). Foreign annuities taxed in Spain as savings income with favourable partial exemption: taxable portion ranges from 40% (under age 40) to 8% (age 70+); taxed at savings rates of 19%–30%.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Spanish Seguridad Social pension: likely a foreign pension plan; FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to associated accounts. Spanish private pension plans: reportable as foreign financial accounts if value exceeds USD 10,000 (FBAR) or applicable FATCA thresholds (Form 8938). Modelo 720: Spanish residents must declare foreign assets over EUR 50,000 per category by March 31. US citizens in Spain subject to US worldwide income taxation; Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) available to offset Spanish IRPF paid. WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) permanently repealed retroactive to January 2024 — no longer reduces US Social Security benefits for those also receiving a Spanish pension.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Government/public service pensions (Article 21 of most DTAs): taxed only in the paying country, exempt with progression in Spain for residents. Private/occupational pensions: taxed in country of residence under most treaties.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"24% general IRNR rate for non-EU/EEA non-residents; 19% for EU/EEA residents. Pension income received by non-residents taxed on a progressive scale under IRNR, subject to applicable DTA provisions which typically assign primary taxing rights to country of residence."},"indexation":{"notes":"Full CPI uprating applies to all contributory pensioners regardless of country of residence. No frozen pension issue for Spain. Minimum pensions receive enhanced increases (approximately 7% in 2026) to close gap with poverty line by 2027. Maximum pension additionally revalued by CPI + 0.115 cumulative percentage points per year from 2025 to 2050.","method":"CPI-based annual revaluation guaranteed by Law 20/2021 (Law 21/2021). Pensions revalued each January by the average year-on-year CPI for the 12 months prior to December of the previous year. Revaluation history: 2.5% (2022), 8.5% (2023), 3.8% (2024), 2.8% (2025), 2.7% (2026). Approved by Royal Decree-Law on February 3, 2026, ratified by Congress on February 26, 2026. Applies equally to pensioners residing abroad.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"EU/EEA: full portability under EC 883/2004 and EC 987/2009; pro-rata benefits from each member state. UK: coordinated under EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) from 1 January 2021. Non-EU bilateral agreements: 25+ countries including US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Latin American nations. Private pension plans: transferable between Spanish pension funds; EU occupational plans may be integrated with Spanish-registered funds (and vice versa) under IORP II Directive. UK QROPS transfers: UK Overseas Transfer Charge (25%) applies unless resident in same country as QROPS scheme — largely a trap post-2017. State pension not transferable/commutable — payable as ongoing annuity from each country separately."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply to INSS (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social) online via Sede Electrónica (sede.seg-social.gob.es) using Cl@ve or digital certificate, by phone, or in person at an INSS office (cita previa required). For international claims, INSS coordinates with competent institutions in other countries to aggregate contribution records. Processing timeline: up to 90 days. If residing in another EU/EEA country, apply through the competent institution of the country of residence, which forwards the claim to INSS. For bilateral agreement countries, apply through the local social security authority. Pension paid by bank transfer (14 payments/year); cheque option available but bank transfer strongly encouraged.","advance_timeline":"Apply 3 months before intended retirement date to ensure timely processing","payment_frequency":"Monthly (14 payments per year: 12 monthly + 2 extraordinary in June and November)","required_documents":["DNI/NIE or valid passport","Social Security affiliation number (número de afiliación)","Employment history (informe de vida laboral) — obtainable from Seguridad Social website","Bank account details (IBAN) for payment","Social security contribution records from all countries worked (for international claims)","Proof of residency (empadronamiento or equivalent)","Work contracts or certificates from Spain and other countries (for international claims)","Marriage certificate (if applicable, for minimum pension supplement)","Disability certificate (if applicable)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Sede Electrónica (sede.seg-social.gob.es) accessible worldwide with Cl@ve Permanente, digital certificate, or DNI-e. VIVESS app accessible globally (iOS and Android). Cl@ve registration requires prior in-person verification or video-identification for non-residents.","proof_of_life_notes":"Proof of life (Fe de Vida) required for all INSS and ISM pensioners residing abroad. From 2026, required TWICE per year: January 1 – March 31 (first campaign) and September (second campaign). From 2027 onwards, required three times per year (January, May, September). Methods: (1) VIVESS mobile app (iOS/Android, free) — biometric facial recognition using DNI/NIE, pension file number, or Cl@ve; available in Spanish, English, French, German; also allows address changes, bank account updates, tax residence certificate submission, and IRPF certificate download. From 2026, spouses of pensioners receiving minimum income supplement can also register via VIVESS. (2) Send original Fe de Vida issued by competent authority of country of residence by post to managing INSS Provincial Directorate. (3) In person or by videoconference at Spanish Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social Security offices abroad. Non-compliance: pension suspended until proof received; maximum 90-day retroactivity on resumption of payments.","international_contact":{"phone":"INSS Subdirección General de Relaciones Internacionales; Phone: +34 901 16 65 65; Email: [email protected]"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Spanish (primary); INSS letters sent in Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, German, Polish, and Bulgarian depending on country of residence","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Seguridad Social — Contributory Retirement Pension (Jubilación Contributiva)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory PAYG earnings-related defined benefit pension administered by INSS. From 2026, a dual calculation system applies: the Social Security automatically calculates using both the traditional method (last 300 months ÷ 350) and the new adjusted high-basis method (best 302 months out of the last 304 months ÷ 352.33), applying whichever is more favourable. This system phases in progressively through 2037, eventually expanding to a 29-year window (best 27 years selected), becoming mandatory from 2044. Accrual: 50% of regulatory base at 15 years, rising by 0.19%/month for months 1–248 and 0.18%/month thereafter, capped at 100% (or above 100% for deferred retirement). Paid 14 times per year. Maximum pension 2026: EUR 3,359.60/month (EUR 47,034.40/year). Minimum pension (age 65+, no dependent spouse, 2026): EUR 12,441.80/year. Ordinary retirement age in 2026: 66 years and 10 months (or 65 with 38+ years and 3 months of contributions). Full 67-year age applies from 2027 (or 65 with 38 years and 6 months of contributions).","officialUrl":"https://www.seg-social.es","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years minimum (at least 2 within the 15 years immediately preceding retirement)","contributionRateEmployee":"4.7% (common contingencies) + 0.15% MEI (2026) = 4.85% total; plus solidarity contribution (employee share: 0.19%/0.21%/0.24% by tier) on salary above EUR 5,101.20/month cap","contributionRateEmployer":"23.6% (common contingencies) + 0.75% MEI (2026) = 24.35% total; plus solidarity contribution (employer share: 0.96%/1.04%/1.22% by tier) on salary above EUR 5,101.20/month cap; plus variable occupational accident rate (e.g. 1.5% office work)"},{"name":"Planes de Pensiones de Empleo (Occupational Pension Plans)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-promoted pension plans, either defined benefit (employer-funded) or defined contribution (employer and employee co-funded). Employer typically contributes 2–5% of gross salary; employee contributions are voluntary. Tax-deductible employer contributions up to EUR 8,500/year per employee (exempt from income tax and social security contributions). Employee contributions deductible up to EUR 1,500/year (standard limit), which may be increased if matching employer contributions (combined cap EUR 8,500/year). Vested rights are portable to another pension scheme upon termination of employment or plan. Early access permitted in cases of long-term unemployment, serious illness, permanent disability, or death. From January 2025, consolidated rights from contributions made at least 10 years ago may be withdrawn. Occupational plans promoted by EU foreign companies may be integrated with Spanish-registered pension funds.","officialUrl":"https://www.dgsfp.mineco.es","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting of rights; transfer possible on termination of employment or plan","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; typically 0–35% of employer contribution","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary; typically 2–5% of gross salary; tax-exempt up to EUR 8,500/year"},{"name":"Planes de Pensiones Individuales / Asociados (Individual & Associate Pension Plans)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual pension plans promoted by financial institutions (individual plans) or unions/associations (associate plans). Open to all individuals with legal capacity. Contributions are tax-deductible from IRPF taxable base up to EUR 1,500/year (individual limit), or EUR 5,750/year for self-employed (EUR 1,500 individual + EUR 4,250 simplified employment plan), or up to EUR 8,500 combined with employer contributions. Overall cap: lower of applicable limit or 30% of net employment/business income. From January 2025, members may withdraw consolidated rights from contributions made at least 10 years ago (liquidity window). Benefits payable as lump sum, annuity, or mixed at retirement. Early access: long-term unemployment, serious illness, permanent disability, death. Taxed as employment income (general IRPF base) on withdrawal. 40% reduction available for pre-2007 contributions taken as lump sum (transitional regime).","officialUrl":"https://www.dgsfp.mineco.es","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum vesting period; liquidity window from contributions aged 10+ years (from 2025)","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; up to EUR 1,500/year (individual); EUR 5,750/year (self-employed); EUR 8,500/year (with employer match)","contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["EC 883/2004 and EC 987/2009 apply for EU/EEA coordination. Pro-rata calculation: Spain pays a proportion of the theoretical pension based on Spanish contribution days vs. total aggregated days across all member states.","UK pension coordination handled under EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) effective 1 January 2021. Spain does not have a standalone bilateral agreement with the UK post-Brexit.","New US-Spain Social Security Agreement signed April 8, 2023 (replacing 1986 agreement) — pending entry into force as of mid-2026. New agreement improves pension calculation methodology, extends posting period to 5 years (extendable by 2 years), and improves self-employed worker coverage. The 1986 agreement remains in force until the new one is ratified.","WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) permanently repealed retroactive to January 2024 — no longer reduces US Social Security benefits for those also receiving a Spanish pension. SSA completed retroactive payments to affected beneficiaries by July 2025.","VIVESS mobile app (iOS/Android) available for proof-of-life submission by INSS and ISM pensioners abroad. Available in Spanish, English, French, German. From 2026, proof of life required TWICE per year (January–March and September); from 2027, three times per year. From 2026, spouses of pensioners receiving minimum income supplement can also register via VIVESS.","Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (MEI): total rate 0.9% in 2026 (employer 0.75%, employee 0.15%), rising to 1.2% by 2032. Does not generate additional pension entitlements — funds pension reserve fund. Self-employed bear full 0.9% themselves.","Solidarity contribution on salaries above maximum base (EUR 5,101.20/month) introduced from January 2025: three progressive tiers (1.15% / 1.25% / 1.46% in 2026), shared between employer and employee. Rates increase annually until 2045. Does not generate additional pension rights. Does not apply to self-employed (RETA).","Pension calculation period reform (from 2026): dual system phases in — Social Security automatically calculates using both the traditional 25-year method (last 300 months ÷ 350) and the new adjusted high-basis method (best 302 months out of last 304 months ÷ 352.33), applying whichever is more favourable. System expands progressively through 2037 (eventually 29-year window, best 27 years), becoming mandatory from 2044.","Ordinary retirement age in 2026: 66 years and 10 months (for those with fewer than 38 years and 3 months of contributions); 65 years (for those with 38+ years and 3 months). From 2027: 67 years (or 65 with 38 years and 6 months of contributions).","From 2025, individual and associate pension plan members may withdraw consolidated rights from contributions made at least 10 years ago (liquidity window). Occupational plans subject to plan rules.","Flexible retirement (jubilación flexible) expanded via Royal Decreto 416/2026 (effective August 28, 2026): self-employed workers (autónomos) formally included for the first time; pensioners may receive up to 25% of pension while working part-time as autónomos (provided not registered as autónomos in the 3 years before retirement); no mandatory waiting period; working hours for employees must be 33%–80% of full-time equivalent.","Gender gap supplement (complemento de brecha de género): additional monthly supplement for women with interrupted careers; enhanced by 10% in 2025 on top of annual CPI adjustment; also increased by 2.7% in 2026 CPI revaluation.","Beckham Law (Régimen de Impatriados): qualifying workers relocating to Spain may elect flat 24% IRNR rate on Spanish-source income up to EUR 600,000 for up to 5 years. Not applicable to pension income from prior Spanish contributions.","Totalization agreement countries (bilateral, non-EU): Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Korea, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, plus Ibero-American Social Security Convention."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://sede.seg-social.gob.es","title":"Open the Seguridad Social electronic office","detail":"The Sede Electrónica is where records are issued. The document you want is the informe de vida laboral — the single most useful Spanish pension document."},{"n":2,"title":"Try the SMS route first","detail":"If your mobile number is registered with the Seguridad Social, the vida laboral can be requested with your ID and phone alone — no certificate, no Cl@ve. Many people never discover this."},{"n":3,"title":"Otherwise authenticate with Cl@ve or a certificate","detail":"Cl@ve PIN and Cl@ve Permanente both work; a FNMT digital certificate is the most durable option if you deal with Spanish administration regularly."},{"n":4,"title":"Read the vida laboral","detail":"It lists every registration period with every employer, by day. Spanish entitlement depends on days contributed, so this is the eligibility document."},{"n":5,"title":"Also request your contribution bases","detail":"The informe de bases de cotización shows the amounts contributions were calculated on, which is what determines the pension amount rather than merely the right to one."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have no Spanish phone number and no certificate","whatToDo":"Update your registered phone through a Spanish consulate, or obtain an FNMT certificate — consulates can carry out the identity verification. INSS also accepts postal requests for a vida laboral."},{"symptom":"Periods with an old employer are missing","whatToDo":"Check whether the employer registered you under a different company name or a temporary employment agency. The Tesorería General handles corrections; payslips and contracts are the evidence."},{"symptom":"You worked in Spain before your NIE was issued","whatToDo":"Ask for a search by name and date of birth. Older records were kept provincially and can take longer to locate."}],"portalUrl":"https://sede.seg-social.gob.es","portalName":"Seguridad Social — Sede Electrónica","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Spanish social security number (número de afiliación) and your NIE or DNI.","Cl@ve, a digital certificate, or a Spanish mobile number registered with the Seguridad Social — the SMS route is by far the easiest if it applies to you.","Your Spanish employers and years."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the SMS route is currently available to phone numbers with a non-Spanish country code.","documentNameLocal":"Informe de vida laboral","documentNameEnglish":"Working life report"}},{"country":"Sweden","country_code":"SE","continent":"europe","currency":"SEK","retirement_age_early":64,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":69,"pension_system_summary":"Sweden operates a multi-pillar pension system widely regarded as one of the most transparent and financially sustainable in the world. The public pension (allmän pension) comprises three main components: the income pension (inkomstpension), a notional defined contribution (NDC) scheme crediting 16% of pensionable income to individual notional accounts indexed to wage growth; the premium pension (premiepension), a funded defined contribution scheme directing 2.5% of pensionable income into individually chosen investment funds (or the default AP7 Såfa); and the guarantee pension (garantipension), a residence-based minimum pension for those with low or no income pension, requiring 40 years of Swedish residence for the full amount and payable only to persons residing in Sweden. In total, 18.5% of pensionable income (up to 7.5 income base amounts, i.e. SEK 625,500/year or SEK 52,125/month in 2026) is set aside annually for the public pension, with 16% going to the income pension and 2.5% to the premium pension. Employers pay a pension contribution of 10.21% of gross payroll (part of the total 31.42% employer social security contribution), while employees pay a general pension contribution of 7% of gross salary up to a ceiling, which is fully offset by a tax credit making the effective net cost nil.\n\nSweden's second pillar consists of quasi-mandatory occupational pensions (tjänstepension) established through collective bargaining agreements, covering approximately 90% of employees. The main schemes are ITP (white-collar private sector), SAF-LO/Avtalspension (blue-collar private sector), KAP-KL/AKAP-KL (municipal and regional), and PA 16 (central government). ITP1 (for those born 1979 or later) is a DC scheme with employer contributions of 4.5% of salary up to 7.5 income base amounts (SEK 52,125/month in 2026) and 30% on salary above that ceiling, subject to an overall cap of 30 income base amounts. ITP2 (for those born 1978 or earlier) is a DB scheme managed by Alecta. The third pillar consists of voluntary private savings; tax deductions for private pension contributions were largely abolished for employees in 2016, though self-employed persons retain some deductibility.\n\nFrom 1 January 2026, a target retirement age (riktålder) of 67 has been introduced, replacing the previous fixed age thresholds. The earliest withdrawal age for income and premium pension is now 64 (three years before the target age of 67), and the guarantee pension minimum age is 67. The target age is linked to life expectancy and is decided six years in advance — the Riksdag has set 67 as the target age for 2026–2030 (applying to those born 1963 or earlier). Forecasts indicate the target age will rise to 68 for those born around 1967–1981. Employees have the right to remain in employment until age 69. Sweden has no fixed statutory retirement age, and the system is actuarially neutral — later retirement results in a higher monthly pension. The income pension is indexed to average wage growth (income index increased 3.56% for 2026), with an automatic balance mechanism (bromsen) that can reduce benefits if the system's financial ratio falls below 1.0; the balance ratio for 2026 is 1.1695, indicating a healthy surplus.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se/other-languages/english-engelska","name":"Pensionsmyndigheten (Swedish Pensions Agency)"},{"url":"https://www.minpension.se","name":"MinPension.se (consolidated pension overview)"},{"url":"https://www.skatteverket.se/servicelankar/otherlanguages/englishengelska/individualsandemployees/newinswedenandwillbeemployedhere/sinkspecialincometaxforforeignresidents/specialincometaxforforeignresidentssinkregardingpensions.4.676f4884175c97df4193094.html","name":"Skatteverket — SINK tax for non-residents (pensions)"},{"url":"https://www.skatteverket.se/servicelankar/otherlanguages/inenglishengelska/businessesandemployers/startingandrunningaswedishbusiness/declaringtaxesbusinesses/countrieswithwhichswedenhasagreementsonsocialsecurity.4.2cf1b5cd163796a5c8bebe7.html","name":"Skatteverket — Social security agreements by country"},{"url":"https://www.spv.se/en","name":"SPV — National Government Employee Pensions Board"},{"url":"https://www.collectum.se","name":"Collectum — ITP occupational pension"},{"url":"https://www.fora.se","name":"Fora — SAF-LO occupational pension"},{"url":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se/other-languages/english-engelska/english-engelska/life-certificate","name":"Pensionsmyndigheten — Life certificate submission"},{"url":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se/other-languages/english-engelska/english-engelska/recommended-retirement-age","name":"Pensionsmyndigheten — Target retirement age (riktålder)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/se/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/se","system_type":"NDC (income pension) + funded DC (premium pension) + guarantee pension (residence-based) + quasi-mandatory occupational DC/DB","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: Income pension (NDC, 16%) + Premium pension (funded DC, 2.5%) + Guarantee pension (means- and residence-tested, residents only); Pillar 2: Occupational pensions (quasi-mandatory via collective agreements, ~90% coverage); Pillar 3: Individual voluntary pension savings","replacement_rate_gross":"~52% (mandatory public + quasi-mandatory occupational, average earner, OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); replacement rates for high earners (2× average wage) reach 70%+ in Sweden according to OECD 2025 data; combined public + occupational ~73% for typical full-career worker","min_qualifying_period":"Income pension and premium pension: no minimum — any contribution creates entitlement. Guarantee pension: minimum 3 years Swedish residence (between ages 16 and 67) for any entitlement; 40 years for full amount.","min_qualifying_partial":"Guarantee pension: 3 years residence for partial benefit (proportionally reduced for fewer than 40 years)","aggregation_rules":"Full coordination under EU Regulation 883/2004 for EU/EEA countries and Switzerland — periods of insurance in other member states can be aggregated to meet qualifying conditions. Bilateral social security agreements with non-EU countries (US, Canada, Quebec, Japan, South Korea, India, Turkey, UK, Philippines, and others) allow aggregation of insurance periods for qualifying purposes. Note: aggregation does not apply to the 3-year residence requirement for the guarantee pension (confirmed by the US-Sweden agreement text). Sweden has approximately 20 bilateral social security agreements in total; negotiations with Australia commenced in February 2025 but no agreement is yet in force.","totalization_partners":["EU/EEA member states (via Regulation 883/2004)","Switzerland","United Kingdom","United States","Canada","Quebec","Japan","South Korea","India","Turkey","Philippines"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employee pays 7% general pension contribution (egenavgift) on gross salary up to SEK 625,500/year (7.5 × IBB for 2026; maximum contribution SEK 47,100/year); this is fully offset by a tax credit so the effective net cost is nil. Employer pays 10.21% of total gross payroll with no ceiling (pension portion of the 31.42% total social security contribution). From 1 January 2026, employers pay only the 10.21% pension contribution (not the full 31.42%) on compensation paid to employees aged 67 or over at the start of the year. A temporary youth reduction (20.81%) applies for employees aged 19–23 on salary up to SEK 25,000/month from April 2026 to September 2027. Self-employed pay 10.21% on net business income as employer equivalent, plus the 7% employee contribution (total 18.5% of pensionable income). Total public pension contribution is 18.5% of pensionable income (16% income pension + 2.5% premium pension). Occupational pension contributions are additional and paid entirely by the employer. Special payroll tax (särskild löneskatt, SLP) of 24.26% applies to employer occupational pension contributions.","employee_pct":"7","employer_pct":"10.21","self_employed_pct":"18.5"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"Tax deductions for private pension contributions were largely abolished for employees in 2016. Self-employed persons and those without occupational pension coverage retain limited deductibility. Voluntary savings are possible through banks and insurance companies (e.g., endowment insurance, investment savings accounts/ISK). Salary exchange (löneväxling) arrangements allow employees to redirect salary to occupational pension contributions, often with employer passing on payroll tax savings. Employees should maintain salary above 8.07 × IBB (approximately SEK 56,050–56,100/month in 2026) before salary exchange to avoid negative impact on public pension and social insurance benefits."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Actuarial increase: deferring pension beyond the target age increases the monthly amount because the same notional capital is divided over a shorter expected payout period. No upper age limit for deferral of income or premium pension.","early_reduction":"Actuarial reduction: drawing pension before the target age results in a lower monthly amount because the same notional capital is divided over a longer expected payout period. The reduction is automatic and built into the annuity divisor calculation — there is no fixed percentage reduction per year."},"access_options":{"notes":"Income pension: lifetime annuity only; cannot be withdrawn as a lump sum. Earliest withdrawal from age 64 (from 2026, for those with target age 67). Can be drawn at 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% simultaneously with continued work. Premium pension: choice of fixed annuity (guaranteed payments) or variable annuity (fund-linked, recalculated annually). Occupational pensions (ITP1): annuity or phased withdrawal for a minimum of 5 years from age 55; ITP2 is a DB annuity. Government occupational (PA 16): annuity from SPV. No lump-sum withdrawal of state pension is permitted. Private pension savings (pre-2016): paid as annuity over minimum 5 years.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":false,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Income pension and premium pension are fully exportable to all countries worldwide. Guarantee pension is NOT payable to persons living outside Sweden (ceased January 1, 2023). Income pension complement is payable within EU/EEA/Switzerland and countries with bilateral agreements. Occupational pensions are payable per scheme rules and are generally portable. Non-residents are subject to SINK tax: 22.5% flat rate from January 1, 2026 (reduced from 25%); further reducing to 20% from January 1, 2027. Sweden retains taxing rights on government pensions under most double tax agreements."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Lump-sum withdrawal of state pension is not available. Occupational pensions may allow partial lump sum depending on scheme rules. Private pension savings (pre-2016 contributions) must be paid as annuity over minimum 5 years.","special_tax_regimes":"Expert tax relief (expertskatt): qualifying foreign specialists and researchers may exempt 25% of employment income from Swedish tax for up to 7 years. Special payroll tax (särskild löneskatt, SLP) of 24.26% applies to employer occupational pension contributions. Salary exchange (löneväxling) arrangements are subject to reduced employer social contributions on the exchanged amount. Sweden suspended its tax treaty with Russia effective 10 February 2025 — treaty benefits no longer apply for Russian residents.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty; some treaties reduce or eliminate Swedish withholding on private pensions; Sweden typically retains exclusive taxing rights on government/public service pensions","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Pillar 1 (income and premium pension) is generally treated as equivalent to US Social Security and is not FBAR/FATCA reportable as an individual account. Pillar 2 occupational pensions and Pillar 3 private pensions may be reportable on FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) if they constitute foreign financial accounts. US-Sweden tax treaty and totalization agreement apply; treaty savings clause means US citizens cannot fully rely on treaty exemptions. The US Social Security Fairness Act of 2025 repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), meaning US benefits are no longer reduced solely because a person also receives a Swedish pension. Consult a cross-border tax advisor.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes — Sweden generally retains exclusive taxing rights on government employment pensions under most DTAs. Private/occupational pensions may be taxable only in the country of residence under some treaties. Always check the specific DTA.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"22.5% (from 1 January 2026; was 25% until 31 December 2025; reducing to 20% from 1 January 2027). For pensions, a tax-free amount of SEK 3,799/month applies in 2026 — only pension income exceeding this amount is subject to SINK."},"indexation":{"notes":"Income pension and premium pension: fully uprated regardless of country of residence — fully exportable and indexed. Guarantee pension: NOT paid abroad (ceased January 1, 2023) — effectively frozen/suspended for non-residents. Income pension complement: payable and indexed within EU/EEA/Switzerland and bilateral agreement countries only. Income index increased 3.56% for 2026 (from 220.23 to 228.08); balance ratio (balanstal) for 2026 is 1.1695, meaning the automatic balance mechanism (bromsen) is not activated and full indexation applies.","method":"Income pension indexed annually by the income index (average wage growth) minus a 1.6% norm built into the annuity divisor. An automatic balance mechanism (bromsen) can reduce indexation below the norm if the system's financial ratio falls below 1.0. Premium pension: variable annuity option is recalculated annually based on fund performance; fixed annuity option provides guaranteed payments. Guarantee pension: indexed to the price base amount (prisbasbelopp).","abroad_status":"conditional"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Income pension and premium pension rights are fully portable — accrued rights remain in the Swedish system and are paid out at retirement regardless of country of residence. Occupational pension rights are generally retained in the Swedish scheme upon departure; transfer to a foreign pension scheme is possible in limited cases but is uncommon and may involve significant costs. Premium pension fund holdings remain invested in chosen funds and are paid out at Swedish pension age. No cash-out or early withdrawal of state pension is permitted upon departure."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"There is no fixed retirement age and pension is not paid automatically — the individual must apply. Apply online via Pensionsmyndigheten's website (My Pages) using a Swedish-approved e-ID (BankID or Freja eID+), or by paper application form. EU/EEA/Switzerland residents should apply through the pension authority in their country of residence, which will coordinate with Sweden. Non-EU/EEA residents must apply directly to Pensionsmyndigheten using the paper application form and must include a life certificate. Pension can be granted from the month the application is received — it cannot be applied for retroactively.","advance_timeline":"Apply at least 3 months before desired start date; 6 months in advance if you have lived or worked in multiple countries","payment_frequency":"Monthly (payments dispatched on the 18th–19th of each month; international transfers take 3–5 banking days within Europe, longer outside Europe)","required_documents":["Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) or coordination number","Valid ID or passport","Bank account details (Swedish or foreign IBAN/SWIFT) for pension payment","Life certificate (levnadsintyg) if applying from outside EU/EEA/Switzerland","Documentation of periods worked/lived in other countries (if applicable)","Marriage certificate or civil status documentation (if relevant to pension calculation)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Pensionsmyndigheten's online services (My Pages) are accessible from abroad but require a Swedish-approved e-ID (BankID or Freja eID+). Without e-ID, paper forms must be used. MinPension.se provides a consolidated overview of public and occupational pensions and is accessible internationally with Swedish e-ID. The life certificate can be submitted online without e-ID via a dedicated form on the Pensionsmyndigheten website.","proof_of_life_notes":"Pensioners living outside Sweden must submit an annual life certificate (levnadsintyg) to the Swedish Pensions Agency. The easiest method is online submission via the Pensionsmyndigheten website (no e-ID required for the online submission form). For those in countries without electronic exchange arrangements, a paper form is sent by post each spring/summer and must be signed and stamped by an authorised authority (embassy, consulate, notary, foreign police, social insurance institution, etc.) and returned. Failure to return the certificate will result in suspension of pension payments. When submitted to Pensionsmyndigheten, the certificate is automatically shared with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) and participating occupational pension providers (including SPV), so a separate submission to those bodies is generally not required.","international_contact":{"phone":"Pensionsmyndigheten international department"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Swedish (primary); English available for international inquiries and on the Pensionsmyndigheten website","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Income Pension (inkomstpension)","type":"state","description":"NDC (notional defined contribution) system. 16% of pensionable income (up to 7.5 income base amounts — SEK 625,500/year or SEK 52,125/month in 2026) is credited annually to a notional account. Account grows with the income index (average wage growth; increased 3.56% for 2026). At retirement, the notional capital is converted to a lifetime annuity using a divisor based on cohort life expectancy and a 1.6% real discount rate. An automatic balance mechanism (bromsen) can reduce indexation if system assets fall below liabilities (balance ratio for 2026 is 1.1695 — no brake applied). Pension is paid monthly for life with no upper age limit for deferral. Earliest withdrawal from age 64 (from 2026, for those with target age 67).","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum — any contribution creates entitlement; pension is proportional to lifetime earnings","contributionRateEmployee":"7% general pension contribution (egenavgift) on gross salary up to SEK 625,500/year (2026); fully offset by tax credit — effective net cost nil","contributionRateEmployer":"10.21% of gross payroll (pension portion of the 31.42% total employer social security contribution; no salary ceiling)"},{"name":"Premium Pension (premiepension)","type":"state","description":"Funded defined contribution system. 2.5% of pensionable income (up to 7.5 income base amounts) is invested in individually chosen funds from a broad selection, or the default AP7 Såfa (a low-cost global equity fund with automatic de-risking as retirement approaches). At retirement, the accumulated capital can be converted to a fixed annuity or a variable (fund-linked) annuity. Fully portable; account follows the individual regardless of country of residence. Earliest withdrawal from age 64 (from 2026, for those with target age 67).","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No minimum — any contribution creates entitlement","contributionRateEmployee":"Included in the 7% general pension contribution","contributionRateEmployer":"Included in the 10.21% employer pension contribution"},{"name":"Guarantee Pension (garantipension)","type":"state","description":"Residence-based minimum pension for those with low or no income pension. Requires at least 3 years of Swedish residence (between ages 16 and 67) for any entitlement; 40 years for the full amount. Benefit is means-tested against income pension and foreign pensions. Full amount is approximately SEK 103,812/year for singles and SEK 92,868/year for married persons (indexed to the price base amount). Payable only to persons residing in Sweden — not exportable abroad (since 1 January 2023). From 2026, the minimum age is 67 (the target retirement age), up from 66 in 2023–2025. The age threshold will increase in line with life expectancy going forward.","officialUrl":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"3 years residence for partial; 40 years residence for full amount","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"ITP (Industrins och handelns tilläggspension) — White-collar occupational pension","type":"occupational","description":"Quasi-mandatory occupational pension for private-sector white-collar workers under collective agreement. ITP1 (born 1979 or later): DC plan with employer contributions of 4.5% of salary up to 7.5 income base amounts (SEK 52,125/month in 2026) and 30% on salary above that ceiling, subject to an overall cap of 30 income base amounts. Default fund is Alecta; employee can choose from approved providers. ITP2 (born 1978 or earlier): DB plan based on final salary, managed by Alecta. ITP1 benefits normally paid from age 65 but can be drawn from age 55; payable for life or for a minimum of 5 years. Administered via Collectum.","officialUrl":"https://www.collectum.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting from first contribution","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employer-funded)","contributionRateEmployer":"4.5% up to 7.5 IBB (SEK 52,125/month in 2026); 30% above that ceiling (ITP1 DC)"},{"name":"Avtalspension SAF-LO — Blue-collar occupational pension","type":"occupational","description":"Quasi-mandatory occupational pension for private-sector blue-collar workers under collective agreement between Svenskt Näringsliv and LO. Defined contribution plan administered by Fora. Employer contributions vary by salary level. Covers approximately 4 million blue-collar employees.","officialUrl":"https://www.fora.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting from first contribution","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employer-funded)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by collective agreement (typically 4.5% up to income ceiling)"},{"name":"KAP-KL / AKAP-KL — Municipal and regional occupational pension","type":"occupational","description":"Occupational pension for employees in municipalities and county councils. AKAP-KL is a DC plan for those born 1986 or later; KAP-KL is a mixed DB/DC plan for older employees. Administered by AFA Försäkring and various pension companies.","officialUrl":"https://www.afaforsakring.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting from first contribution","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employer-funded)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by agreement"},{"name":"PA 16 — Central government occupational pension","type":"occupational","description":"Occupational pension for central government employees, administered by SPV (Statens tjänstepensionsverk). Defined contribution plan for most employees. Includes disability and survivor benefits.","officialUrl":"https://www.spv.se","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting from first contribution","contributionRateEmployee":"0% (employer-funded)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by agreement"}],"cross_border_notes":["Guarantee pension is NOT payable to pensioners living outside Sweden — payments cease upon departure (effective January 1, 2023). This applies regardless of EU/EEA membership.","Income pension and premium pension are fully exportable to all countries worldwide and are indexed regardless of country of residence.","Income pension complement is payable only within EU/EEA/Switzerland and countries with which Sweden has bilateral social security agreements.","Full coordination under EU Regulation 883/2004 for EU/EEA countries — periods of insurance in other member states can be aggregated to meet qualifying conditions.","Sweden has bilateral social security agreements with approximately 20 countries including the US, Canada, Quebec, Japan, South Korea, India, Turkey, UK, Philippines, and other non-EU countries. Negotiations with Australia commenced in February 2025 but no agreement is yet in force.","SINK tax (special income tax for non-residents) applies to Swedish pension income paid to non-residents: 22.5% flat rate from January 1, 2026 (reduced from 25%); further reducing to 20% from January 1, 2027. A tax-free amount of SEK 3,799/month applies to pension income in 2026.","Sweden retains taxing rights on government/public service pensions under most double tax agreements; private and occupational pensions may be taxable only in the country of residence under some treaties.","From 2026, the target retirement age (riktålder) is 67 for those born in 1963 or earlier, with the earliest withdrawal age for income and premium pension at 64 (three years before target age). The guarantee pension minimum age is also 67 from 2026. The target age is linked to life expectancy and will increase over time — forecast target age is 68 for those born around 1967–1981.","Annual life certificate (levnadsintyg) is required for all pensioners living abroad; can be submitted online (no e-ID required) or by post. Submission to Pensionsmyndigheten is automatically shared with Försäkringskassan and participating occupational pension providers.","Pension can be paid to a Swedish or foreign bank account; no requirement to maintain a Swedish bank account.","US persons holding Swedish occupational or private pension accounts may have FBAR/FATCA reporting obligations; Pillar 1 state pension is generally not reportable as an individual account. The US Social Security Fairness Act of 2025 repealed the WEP and GPO, so US benefits are no longer reduced solely due to receipt of a Swedish pension.","Sweden suspended its tax treaty with Russia effective February 10, 2025 — treaty benefits no longer apply for Russian residents.","The income index for 2026 increased by 3.56% (from 220.23 to 228.08), and the balance ratio (balanstal) is 1.1695, meaning the automatic balance mechanism is not activated and full indexation applies for 2026."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.minpension.se","title":"Open minPension.se","detail":"minPension is the joint service of the Pensions Agency and the pension companies. One login shows the state pension, occupational pensions and private savings together."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in with BankID or Freja eID+","detail":"The forecast is assembled live from every connected provider."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.pensionsmyndigheten.se/other-languages/english-engelska","title":"Read the three parts","detail":"Income pension and premium pension make up the state pension; the occupational pension from your employer is often a large share of a Swedish total; guarantee pension covers low or short careers and depends on years of residence."},{"n":4,"title":"Check your premium pension fund choices","detail":"The premium pension is invested. If you never chose funds it sits in the default option, which is a deliberate design rather than an oversight."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.skatteverket.se/servicelankar/otherlanguages/englishengelska/individualsandemployees/newinswedenandwillbeemployedhere/sinkspecialincometaxforforeignresidents/specialincometaxforforeignresidentssinkregardingpensions.4.676f4884175c97df4193094.html","title":"Save the forecast","detail":"Keep the PDF. If you will be paid abroad, read Skatteverket's SINK guidance — non-residents are usually taxed under a separate flat regime."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot get BankID without a Swedish bank account","whatToDo":"Pensionsmyndigheten accepts paper applications and written enquiries, and has a unit for people living abroad. The annual orange envelope is also posted internationally if your address is registered with them."},{"symptom":"minPension shows the state pension but no occupational pension","whatToDo":"Only connected providers appear. Ask your former employer which agreement area covered you (SAF-LO, ITP, KAP-KL or PA16) — that identifies the administrator."},{"symptom":"You worked in Sweden only briefly","whatToDo":"There is no minimum period for the income pension, so even one year accrues something. Keep the record: Sweden pays small amounts abroad, and the years also count toward EU aggregation."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.minpension.se","portalName":"minPension.se","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Swedish personal number (personnummer).","BankID or Freja eID+. Both normally require a Swedish bank relationship or in-person identification, and this is the main obstacle after leaving Sweden.","The years you worked in Sweden and roughly what you earned — the income pension is earnings-based."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether Freja eID+ can currently be obtained from outside Sweden.","documentNameLocal":"Pensionsprognos / orange kuvert","documentNameEnglish":"Pension forecast and account statement"}},{"country":"Switzerland","country_code":"CH","continent":"europe","currency":"CHF","retirement_age_early":63,"retirement_age_full":65,"retirement_age_max":70,"pension_system_summary":"Switzerland operates a comprehensive three-pillar pension system designed to replace approximately 60% of pre-retirement income when Pillars 1 and 2 are combined. The First Pillar (AHV/AVS/OASI) is a mandatory, pay-as-you-go state pension covering all residents and workers, providing a minimum of CHF 1,260/month and a maximum of CHF 2,520/month (2025–2026, unchanged) for a single person with a full contribution record. The AHV 21 reform (effective 1 January 2024) standardised the reference age at 65 for both men and women (women's age rising incrementally by 3 months per year from 2025, reaching 64 years and 6 months in 2026 for women born in 1962, and 65 for all from 2028), introduced flexible monthly pension withdrawal between ages 63 and 70, and enabled partial pension drawdown (20–80%). A landmark 13th monthly AHV pension payment — equal to one-twelfth of the annual pension — was approved by Swiss voters in March 2024 and is being paid for the first time in December 2026 automatically to all entitled recipients including those resident abroad; heirs are not entitled. The financing of the 13th pension remains under parliamentary debate; the Council of States voted in June 2025 to increase salary contributions by 0.4 percentage points from January 2028. The Federal Council opened consultation on the AHV 2030 reform package in May 2026, proposing financial incentives to work longer and abolishing the age-70 cap on pension accumulation, without raising the reference age.\n\nThe Second Pillar (BVG/LPP) is a mandatory occupational pension for employees earning above CHF 22,680/year, based on individual savings accounts with age-graduated contribution credits (7–18% of insured salary). The BVG reform was rejected by Swiss voters in September 2024 (67% against), leaving the existing system with a fixed coordination deduction of CHF 26,460, a mandatory minimum conversion rate of 6.8%, and a minimum interest rate of 1.25% in force for 2026. From 1 January 2026, survivors' and disability pensions under the mandatory BVG scheme that commenced in 2022 or later are adjusted for inflation at 2.7%. The Third Pillar consists of tax-advantaged tied savings (Pillar 3a, max CHF 7,258/year for employees with a pension fund; CHF 36,288/20% net income for self-employed without a pension fund — unchanged for 2026) and unrestricted savings (Pillar 3b). From 2026, a new retroactive buy-in option allows Pillar 3a gaps from 2025 onwards to be filled within 10 years, with full tax deductibility, provided the current year's maximum is paid first. Switzerland has social security agreements with over 40 countries, ensuring pension portability and totalization of contribution periods for qualifying residents abroad.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en","name":"AHV-IV Information Centre (OASI/DI)"},{"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en/Forms","name":"AHV-IV Forms"},{"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/p/880.e","name":"AHV-IV Claim Forms (Old-Age Pension)"},{"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en/Forms/Statement-of-the-individual-account/Switzerland","name":"AHV-IV Contribution Statement (Individual Account)"},{"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/p/3.04.e","name":"AHV-IV Flexible Retirement Leaflet (Position as of 1 January 2026)"},{"url":"https://www.zas.admin.ch/en","name":"Swiss Compensation Office (ZAS/SCO) — Geneva"},{"url":"https://www.zas.admin.ch/en/to-contact-the-swiss-compensation-office","name":"ZAS — Claim Process & Contact"},{"url":"https://www.compenswiss.ch/en","name":"Compenswiss (AHV/IV/EO Fund Management)"},{"url":"https://www.bsv.admin.ch/en/old-age-provision-occupational-benefits-plan","name":"Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO/BSV) — Occupational Pensions"},{"url":"https://www.ch.ch/en/retirement/","name":"ch.ch — Official Swiss Government Portal (Retirement)"},{"url":"https://www.ch.ch/en/retirement/oasi-pension-abroad/","name":"ch.ch — OASI Pension Payments Abroad"},{"url":"https://www.sif.admin.ch/en/double-taxation-agreements-dtas","name":"Federal Tax Administration — Double Taxation Agreements"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ch/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ch","system_type":"Bismarckian/Mixed — mandatory three-pillar system combining pay-as-you-go state insurance (Pillar 1), fully-funded mandatory occupational DC (Pillar 2), and voluntary private savings (Pillar 3a/3b)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1 (AHV/AVS/OASI): mandatory state pension, pay-as-you-go, funded by employee/employer/self-employed contributions (10.6% total, split 5.3%/5.3%). Pillar 2 (BVG/LPP): mandatory occupational pension for employees earning ≥CHF 22,680/year; fully-funded individual accounts; employer must pay at least 50% of contributions; statutory savings credits 7–18% of insured salary by age bracket; BVG minimum interest rate 1.25% (2026); mandatory conversion rate 6.8% (2026). Pillar 3a (Säule 3a): tied private retirement savings, voluntary, tax-deductible contributions (max CHF 7,258 for employees with pension fund; CHF 36,288/20% net income for self-employed without pension fund, 2025–2026 unchanged). From 2026: retroactive buy-ins permitted for gaps from 2025 onwards (up to 10 years back, capped at CHF 7,258 per gap year, current year must be paid first). Pillar 3b: unrestricted private savings, no tax deduction, fully liquid.","replacement_rate_gross":"60% (Pillars 1+2 combined target); AHV alone: ~20–40% of final salary depending on income level","min_qualifying_period":"AHV: 44 contribution years for full pension (men; women transitioning to 44 years by 2028 — currently 43 years for women in 2025, reaching 44 years from 2028). Each missing year reduces pension by ~2.3% (1/44). BVG: no minimum period — benefits proportional to accumulated capital.","min_qualifying_partial":"AHV: minimum 1 full year of contributions qualifies for a partial pension. Totalization with agreement countries may count foreign contribution periods toward the 44-year requirement.","aggregation_rules":"Switzerland's bilateral social security agreements and EU Regulation 883/2004 allow totalization: periods of insurance and residence in agreement countries count toward qualifying periods. Proportional AHV pension calculated as: (Swiss contribution years / 44) × current indexed full pension. Example: 5 Swiss years + 20 German years = 25 total years; Switzerland pays 5/44 × maximum pension as a proportional benefit. Each agreement specifies exact rules. For EU/EFTA nationals, EU Regulation 883/2004 governs coordination since 2012. Minimum 1 year of Swiss contributions required for any AHV entitlement.","totalization_partners":["Australia","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Brazil","Canada/Quebec","Chile","China (People's Republic, applicable legislation)","EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden)","Iceland","India (applicable legislation)","Israel","Japan","Kosovo","Liechtenstein","Montenegro","North Macedonia","Norway","Philippines","San Marino","Serbia","South Korea (applicable legislation)","Thailand (applicable legislation)","Tunisia","Turkey","United Kingdom","United States of America","Uruguay","Vietnam (applicable legislation)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"AHV/IV/EO total rate: 10.6% of gross salary (AHV 8.7% + IV 1.4% + EO 0.5%), split equally 5.3%/5.3% employee/employer. No salary ceiling for AHV contributions. BVG mandatory for employees earning ≥CHF 22,680/year (2025–2026, unchanged); coordination deduction CHF 26,460 (unchanged); max insured salary CHF 90,720; minimum BVG interest rate 1.25% (2026, unchanged); mandatory conversion rate 6.8% (2025–2026, unchanged after BVG reform rejection). Maximum AHV pension 2025–2026: CHF 2,520/month (single), CHF 3,780/month (couple cap) — unchanged. With 13th pension (first paid December 2026): CHF 32,760/year (single max), CHF 49,140/year (couple max). Minimum: CHF 1,260/month. No AHV pension increase in 2026 (no cost-of-living adjustment). Pillar 3a limits unchanged 2025–2026: CHF 7,258 (with BVG) / CHF 36,288 (without BVG). From 2026: AHV contribution obligations extended for short-term employees in culture and media sectors.","employee_pct":"5.3% AHV/IV/EO (Pillar 1, no salary ceiling) + variable BVG (Pillar 2, at least 50% of statutory savings credit of 7–18% of coordinated salary by age)","employer_pct":"5.3% AHV/IV/EO (Pillar 1, no salary ceiling) + at least 50% of BVG savings credit (7–18% of coordinated salary by age)","self_employed_pct":"10% AHV/IV/EO (progressive: 5.371%–10%; max 10% from CHF 60,500 income). Self-employed are exempt from mandatory BVG but may join voluntarily."},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Pillar 3a: contributions must be received by 31 December of the tax year (online banking) or by approximately 19 December (bank counter). Retroactive Pillar 3a buy-ins: same deadline (31 December of the payment year). AHV contribution gaps: can be made up within 5 years of the gap year.","available":true,"annual_cost":"Swiss nationals and EU/EFTA nationals residing outside EU/EFTA may join voluntary AHV/IV insurance. Minimum contribution: CHF 1,010/year (Swiss nationals abroad, 2026); CHF 530/year for non-employed persons in Switzerland. Contributions based on income and assets (up to CHF 26,500/year). BVG: self-employed may join voluntarily. Pillar 3a: voluntary contributions up to CHF 7,258/year (with BVG) or CHF 36,288/year (without BVG); from 2026, retroactive gap buy-ins permitted for gaps from 2025 onwards (up to 10 years back, capped at CHF 7,258 per gap year, current year must be paid first).","benefit_per_year":"AHV: each additional contribution year adds approximately 2.3% (1/44) to the full pension. Pillar 3a: tax savings of approximately 25–35% of contribution amount depending on canton and income level; CHF 7,258 contribution saves approximately CHF 1,800–2,500 in taxes annually (illustrative; actual savings depend on canton and marginal rate).","eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary AHV: Swiss nationals or EU/EFTA nationals residing outside EU/EFTA who are no longer compulsorily insured. Pillar 3a: must have earned income subject to AHV contributions; cross-border workers living abroad but working in Switzerland are eligible. Retroactive Pillar 3a buy-ins (from 2026): must have AHV-liable earned income in both the gap year and the payment year; must have paid full current-year maximum first; gaps only from 2025 onwards; must not yet be receiving retirement benefits."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"AHV Aufschub (deferral): pension increases if withdrawal delayed beyond reference age. Deferral possible from 1 year to maximum 5 years (to age 70). Maximum deferral bonus: 31.5% increase at age 70 (5-year deferral). Deferral must be notified to compensation office within 1 year of reaching reference age. AHV 2030 reform (consultation opened May 2026) proposes abolishing the age-70 cap on pension accumulation — not yet in force. BVG: deferred retirement increases pension (higher accumulated capital; pension fund may apply higher conversion rate).","early_reduction":"AHV Vorbezug (early withdrawal): 6.8% permanent reduction per full year before reference age. Monthly adjustment available (post-AHV 21). Maximum early withdrawal: 2 years before reference age (i.e., from age 63 for men; from age 62 for transitional-generation women born 1961–1969 with reduced penalty rates). Transitional generation women (born 1961–1969) benefit from lower reduction rates. BVG: lower conversion rate applied for early retirement (reduced accumulated capital and less favourable conversion rate)."},"access_options":{"notes":"AHV (Pillar 1): paid as monthly annuity only; no lump sum option (except interest-free contribution refund for non-agreement country emigrants). BVG (Pillar 2): choice of lifelong annuity, lump sum, or combination (at least 25% of assets can be taken as lump sum; pension fund may allow full lump sum). Partial retirement in up to three stages. Pillar 3a: lump sum only (taxed separately at reduced cantonal rate). Pillar 3b: fully flexible, no restrictions.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"AHV: no lump sum withdrawal on departure for EU/EFTA nationals or nationals of agreement countries — pension paid at retirement age. Non-agreement country nationals may claim interest-free refund of contributions (employer + employee portions, excluding interest) upon permanent departure; application must be submitted within 5 years of reaching retirement age. BVG: departure to EU/EFTA — mandatory portion locked in Swiss vested benefits account until retirement (age 65); supra-mandatory portion can be paid out immediately. Departure to non-EU/EFTA — full lump sum withdrawal of entire BVG balance possible. Pillar 3a: can be dissolved and paid out upon permanent departure from Switzerland regardless of destination country; subject to Swiss cantonal withholding tax (may be reclaimed under applicable DTA)."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"BVG lump sum: taxed at reduced cantonal rate (separate from ordinary income; typically 0–5% cantonal tax for residents; non-residents subject to cantonal withholding, often reclaimable under DTA). Pillar 3a lump sum: taxed at reduced pension rate (approximately 1/5 of ordinary tariff, varies by canton). AHV: no lump sum option (except interest-free contribution refund for non-agreement country emigrants, which is not taxed as income by Switzerland).","special_tax_regimes":"Lump-sum taxation (forfait fiscal) available for wealthy non-Swiss nationals taking up residence in Switzerland for the first time or after 10+ years abroad: federal minimum taxable base CHF 435,000 (2026; confirmed by multiple sources). Available in approximately 19–21 of Switzerland's 26 cantons (Zurich abolished in 2009/2010; Basel-Stadt, Basel-Land, Schaffhausen, Appenzell-Ausserrhoden also abolished). Quellensteuer (withholding tax at source) applies to foreign nationals without C permit earning below CHF 120,000/year — employer deducts income tax directly. Cantonal tax rates vary significantly across Switzerland's 26 cantons.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by treaty and income type. BVG and Pillar 3a withholding taxes can often be fully or partially reclaimed under applicable double taxation agreements (DTAs). Switzerland has DTAs with over 100 countries. AHV pensions: no Swiss withholding, so treaty relief not applicable at source (home country taxes apply per treaty allocation rules).","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US persons with Swiss pension accounts face significant reporting obligations: AHV contributions are not deductible on US returns; BVG employer contributions are taxable as current US income; Pillar 3a contributions are not deductible for US tax purposes; investment income inside Pillar 3a is taxable annually for US purposes even if locked in account; foreign mutual funds within Pillar 3a likely classified as PFICs (punitive US tax rates and complex annual reporting); Pillar 3a may need to be reported as foreign trust (Form 3520-A); FBAR filing required for accounts exceeding USD 10,000. US-Switzerland totalization agreement eliminates dual Social Security taxation. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) officially repealed January 2025 — US persons receiving Swiss AHV pension no longer subject to WEP reduction of US Social Security benefits. Consult dual-qualified US/Swiss tax advisor.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"AHV (Pillar 1) is a state social security pension — typically taxable in country of residence under most DTAs (OECD Model Art. 18). BVG (Pillar 2) occupational pensions — taxable in country of residence under most DTAs. Government employee pensions may be taxable in Switzerland under some treaties (Art. 19 OECD Model). Specific treaty provisions govern each case.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"AHV (Pillar 1): No Swiss withholding tax on AHV pensions paid abroad — recipient declares in home country. BVG (Pillar 2) lump sum or annuity paid to non-residents: subject to reduced cantonal withholding tax (taxed separately from other income; rate varies by canton, typically 0–5% for lump sums). Pillar 3a withdrawal abroad: subject to Swiss cantonal withholding tax at reduced pension rate (approximately 1/5 of ordinary tariff, varies by canton). Swiss domestic withholding tax on dividends/interest: 35% (standard rate, reducible under DTAs)."},"indexation":{"notes":"AHV pensions are indexed equally for all recipients regardless of country of residence (agreement and non-agreement countries alike receive the same indexation). No 'frozen pension' policy. No cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 (Federal Council decision — last increase was 1 January 2025). Historical examples: 2025 saw an increase (CHF 70/month increase to maximum pension); 2024 saw 2.9% increase; 2023 saw 1.6% increase. Indexation applies to minimum and maximum pension amounts; all individual pensions scaled proportionally. The 13th AHV pension (first paid December 2026) effectively increases annual pension income by approximately 8.3% for all entitled recipients.","method":"AHV indexed to the 'mixed index' (Mischindex) — a combined index of 50% wage inflation and 50% consumer price inflation. Federal Council determines new indexation percentage annually (typically announced in autumn, effective 1 January). Adjustment applies to all AHV pensions simultaneously. BVG survivors' and disability pensions (commenced 2022 or later) adjusted for inflation at 2.7% from 1 January 2026.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"AHV (Pillar 1): fully portable to agreement countries — paid for life as monthly annuity from retirement age. The 13th AHV pension (from December 2026) is also paid to recipients resident abroad. Non-agreement countries: interest-free contribution refund only (no ongoing pension). BVG (Pillar 2): fully portable — lump sum or annuity payable to non-residents. EU/EFTA departure: mandatory portion locked in Swiss vested benefits account until retirement; supra-mandatory portion immediately payable. Non-EU/EFTA departure: full lump sum withdrawal possible. Pillar 3a: fully portable — can be dissolved upon permanent departure from Switzerland regardless of destination; subject to Swiss cantonal withholding tax (reclaimable under DTA). Vested benefits (Freizügigkeitsguthaben): when leaving a pension fund (job change or departure), assets transferred to new fund or vested benefits account (Freizügigkeitskonto/policy); unclaimed balances transferred to BVG Substitute Institution (Auffangeinrichtung)."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"AHV pension: Apply through the cantonal compensation office (if still in Switzerland) or the Swiss Compensation Office (SCO) in Geneva (if abroad). For EU/EFTA residents who have also paid contributions in their country of residence, application can be filed through the foreign liaison office, which forwards EU forms to the SCO. For EU/EFTA residents who have not paid contributions in their new country of residence, the SCO in Geneva is responsible. For non-agreement country residents, contact SCO Geneva directly. BVG: contact pension fund or vested benefits institution directly. Pillar 3a: contact bank or insurance provider. Recommended timeline: file AHV application 3–6 months before retirement date. Processing time: 2–6 months typical. Online application available via www.zas.admin.ch (click 'Individuals' → 'Request for an old-age pension'). The 13th AHV pension (from December 2026) is paid automatically — no separate application required.","advance_timeline":"3–6 months before retirement date","payment_frequency":"Monthly (12 payments per year), plus one additional 13th payment in December each year from 2026 onwards for old-age pension recipients. Payments processed mid-month and deposited into provided bank account. Foreign currency conversion handled by recipient's bank (CHF to home currency). Some banks may apply conversion fees.","required_documents":["Valid passport or identity card (certified copy)","Birth certificate (certified copy)","Marriage certificate (if applicable, certified copy)","Children's birth certificates (if claiming survivor benefits, certified copy)","AHV/AVS number (obtainable from employer or cantonal compensation office)","Employment history: list of all employers in Switzerland with dates and income records","Bank account details: IBAN for destination country (CHF or home currency)","Proof of residence in destination country (utility bill, lease, or recent address documentation)","Details of any foreign pensions or social security benefits received from other countries","Certificate of departure from Switzerland (if applicable)","Proof of life certificate (annual requirement for non-residents; may be waived for Swiss nationals registered with Swiss embassy/consulate)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"AHV-IV.ch information centre accessible from abroad (English available). Online application for old-age pension available via www.zas.admin.ch. No personal online account portal for real-time payment status tracking. Contact SCO Geneva for account inquiries. Consider appointing a power of attorney (procuration) in Switzerland to manage correspondence with cantonal offices. SCO contact: Avenue Edmond-Vaucher 18, P.O. Box 3100, 1211 Geneva 2; phone +41 58 461 91 11; email info@zas.admin.ch; hours Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00 and 13:30–17:00 CET/CEST.","proof_of_life_notes":"Annual proof of life required for non-resident pension recipients. Swiss nationals registered with Swiss embassy/consulate may be exempt (embassy provides confirmation directly to SCO). Non-registered non-residents must submit proof of life form or pension payments may be suspended. Payment resumes once form received. Contact SCO Geneva if form not received: info@zas.admin.ch or +41 58 461 91 11.","international_contact":{"email":"info@zas.admin.ch","hours":"Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, 13:30 - 17:00 (CET/CEST)","phone":"+41 58 461 91 11 (main switchboard) or +41 58 461 91 35 (direct for international enquiries)","postal_address":"Swiss Compensation Office, Avenue Edmond-Vaucher 18, P.O. Box 3100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"German, French, Italian (official); English available for international enquiries via SCO Geneva","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"AHV/AVS/OASI (Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance) — Pillar 1","type":"state","description":"Mandatory pay-as-you-go state pension covering all residents and workers in Switzerland. AHV 21 reform (effective 1 Jan 2024): (1) Reference age standardised at 65 for men and women (women's age rising by 3-month increments annually from 2025: 64y3m in 2025, 64y6m in 2026, 64y9m in 2027, 65 for all from 2028). (2) Flexible pension withdrawal monthly between ages 63–70. (3) Partial pension drawdown (20–80% of full pension) permitted in up to three steps. (4) Women of transitional generation (born 1961–1969) receive either a lifelong pension supplement or reduced early-withdrawal penalty. (5) 13th monthly AHV pension introduced: first payment December 2026, equal to 1/12 of annual pension paid automatically in December each year; applies to all entitled recipients including those resident abroad; heirs not entitled; child pensions and transitional-generation supplements excluded from calculation. Maximum pension 2025–2026: CHF 2,520/month (single); minimum: CHF 1,260/month. With 13th pension: CHF 32,760/year (single maximum). Married couples capped at 150% of maximum (CHF 3,780/month; CHF 49,140/year with 13th pension). Indexed annually (mixed wage/price index); no cost-of-living adjustment in 2026. No withholding tax on AHV paid abroad. Contributions: 10.6% of gross salary (AHV 8.7% + IV 1.4% + EO 0.5%), split equally 5.3% employee / 5.3% employer. No salary ceiling for AHV contributions. Self-employed: progressive rate 5.371%–10% (max 10% from CHF 60,500 income). Non-employed: CHF 530–CHF 26,500/year based on wealth and pension income. Swiss nationals living abroad who voluntarily join AHV: minimum CHF 1,010/year. Contribution gaps can be made up within 5 years. Paid to non-residents in agreement countries indefinitely; non-agreement countries: interest-free refund of contributions only. AHV 2030 reform package opened for consultation May 2026: proposes financial incentives to work beyond 65, abolition of age-70 cap on pension accumulation, no increase to reference age.","officialUrl":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 1 full year of contributions for partial pension entitlement. Full pension (Scale 44): 44 contribution years without gaps (men and women from 2028; women transitioning — 43 years in 2025, 44 years from 2028). Each missing year reduces pension by approximately 2.3% (1/44). Contributions counted from age 17 (employed) or age 20 (non-employed) to reference age.","contributionRateEmployee":"5.3% (of gross salary, no ceiling; covers AHV/IV/EO combined)","contributionRateEmployer":"5.3% (of gross salary, no ceiling; covers AHV/IV/EO combined)"},{"name":"BVG/LPP (Berufliche Vorsorge — Occupational Pension) — Pillar 2","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory occupational pension for employees earning ≥CHF 22,680/year (2025–2026 threshold, unchanged). Employer must pay at least 50% of total contributions; employee pays the remainder (deducted from salary). Coordination deduction CHF 26,460 (2025–2026, unchanged) subtracted from gross salary to calculate insured (coordinated) salary. Maximum insured salary: CHF 90,720/year. Minimum interest rate on mandatory assets: 1.25% (2026, unchanged from 2025). Mandatory conversion rate: 6.8% (2026; BVG reform rejected September 2024, so existing system remains). Statutory savings credits by age: 7% (ages 25–34), 10% (35–44), 15% (45–54), 18% (55–65) of coordinated salary. Risk cover (death/disability) from age 17; retirement savings from age 25. Flexible retirement: early from age 63 (or from 58 under fund regulations), deferred to age 70. Partial retirement in up to three stages. Lump sum or annuity at retirement (or combination). Early withdrawal permitted for: home purchase, self-employment, emigration to non-EU/EFTA country. Departure to EU/EFTA: mandatory portion locked in vested benefits account until retirement; supra-mandatory portion can be paid out. Departure to non-EU/EFTA: full lump sum withdrawal possible. From 1 January 2026: survivors' and disability pensions that commenced in 2022 or later adjusted for inflation at 2.7%; pensions commencing before 2022 adjusted no earlier than 2027. Pension fund payouts subject to reduced cantonal withholding tax (taxed separately from income); may be reclaimed under applicable DTA.","officialUrl":"https://www.bsv.admin.ch/en/old-age-provision-occupational-benefits-plan","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate vesting on contribution. Cannot be withdrawn before retirement age except under specific conditions (home purchase, emigration to non-EU/EFTA, self-employment). Risk cover from age 17; retirement savings from age 25. Reference age 65 (flexible 63–70 under AHV 21 reform; some funds allow from 58).","contributionRateEmployee":"Variable by age and fund: statutory savings credits 7–18% of coordinated salary (employee pays at least 50% of total contribution; employer must pay at least 50%)","contributionRateEmployer":"At least 50% of total BVG contribution (statutory savings credits 7–18% of coordinated salary by age bracket)"},{"name":"Säule 3a (Pillar 3a — Tied Private Pension)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary tax-advantaged tied private pension. 2025–2026 contribution limits (unchanged): CHF 7,258 for employees affiliated with a pension fund (BVG); CHF 36,288 (max 20% of net earned income) for self-employed without pension fund. Contributions fully deductible from cantonal/federal/communal income tax. Account growth not taxed until withdrawal. Withdrawal taxed separately at reduced cantonal rate (approximately 1/5 of ordinary tariff, varies by canton). NEW from 2026: retroactive buy-in of Pillar 3a gaps from 2025 onwards permitted for up to 10 years back; gaps prior to 2025 cannot be filled; current year's maximum must be paid first before gap contributions are made; buy-in capped at CHF 7,258 per gap year (the lower 3a maximum); fully tax-deductible; deadline same as regular contribution (31 December of tax year); must have AHV-liable earned income in both the gap year and the payment year; must not yet have drawn retirement benefits. Withdrawal conditions: retirement (up to 5 years before reference age), emigration abroad, home purchase, self-employment, disability. Multiple 3a accounts recommended for staggered withdrawals to reduce tax burden. Providers: VIAC, finpension, Swiss Life, UBS, AXA, Zurich, PostFinance. US persons face complex PFIC/FBAR/Form 3520-A reporting obligations; consult dual-qualified advisor.","officialUrl":"https://www.ch.ch/en/retirement/oasi-pension-abroad/","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Tied until reference age (65) or up to 5 years before if early retirement taken. Withdrawal only for: retirement, emigration, home purchase, self-employment, or disability. Otherwise locked until retirement.","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary; max CHF 7,258/year (with BVG) or CHF 36,288/20% net income (without BVG) — 2025 and 2026 (unchanged)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Säule 3b (Pillar 3b — Unrestricted Private Savings)","type":"private","description":"Unrestricted private savings with no annual contribution limit and no tax deduction on contributions (except in certain cantons such as Geneva and Fribourg for specific life insurance products). Investment earnings taxed as ordinary income (cantonal rates vary). Capital gains on securities often exempt from income tax in many cantons (but taxable on real property). No restrictions on withdrawal — fully liquid at all times. No specific tax advantages, but no tax on withdrawal of capital (unlike Pillar 3a). Used primarily for supplementary savings beyond Pillars 1–3a.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"None — fully liquid at all times","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Switzerland has social security agreements with over 40 countries including all EU/EFTA member states, USA, UK, Australia, Canada/Quebec, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Israel, India, South Korea, China, Philippines, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and others. These prevent double contributions and ensure pension portability.","AHV (Pillar 1): NO Swiss withholding tax applied on pensions paid abroad. Recipient responsible for declaring in home country per applicable DTA. AHV cannot be taken as a lump sum by EU/EFTA nationals or nationals of agreement countries — pension paid at retirement age only.","13th AHV pension (first payment December 2026): paid automatically to all entitled recipients including those resident abroad. No separate application required. Heirs are not entitled. Child pensions and transitional-generation supplements are excluded from the calculation. The 13th pension effectively increases annual AHV income by approximately 8.3%.","Non-agreement country nationals leaving Switzerland permanently may claim an interest-free refund of AHV contributions (employer + employee portions, excluding interest). Application must be submitted within 5 years of reaching retirement age. All future AHV entitlements lapse upon refund.","BVG (Pillar 2) lump sum paid to non-residents: subject to reduced cantonal withholding tax (typically 0–5%); often reclaimable under applicable DTA. Departure to EU/EFTA: mandatory BVG portion locked in Swiss vested benefits account until retirement age 65; supra-mandatory portion can be paid out immediately. Departure to non-EU/EFTA: full lump sum withdrawal of entire BVG balance possible. From 1 January 2026: BVG survivors' and disability pensions commenced in 2022 or later adjusted for inflation at 2.7%.","Pillar 3a: can be dissolved and paid out upon permanent departure from Switzerland regardless of destination country. Subject to Swiss cantonal withholding tax at reduced pension rate; may be reclaimable under applicable DTA. Holding multiple Pillar 3a accounts enables staggered withdrawals to reduce tax burden.","EU Regulation 883/2004 governs social security coordination between Switzerland and all EU/EFTA member states since 2012, ensuring totalization of contribution periods and equal treatment.","US persons: US-Switzerland totalization agreement eliminates dual Social Security taxation. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) repealed January 2025 — US persons receiving Swiss AHV pension no longer subject to WEP reduction of US Social Security benefits. Pillar 3a and BVG create complex US tax reporting obligations (PFIC, FBAR, Form 3520-A); consult dual-qualified advisor.","BVG reform rejected by Swiss voters in September 2024 (67% against). Existing system remains: fixed entry threshold CHF 22,680, fixed coordination deduction CHF 26,460, mandatory conversion rate 6.8%, minimum interest rate 1.25% — all unchanged for 2026.","New from 2026: retroactive Pillar 3a buy-ins permitted for contribution gaps from 2025 onwards (up to 10 years back). Current year's maximum must be paid first. Buy-in capped at CHF 7,258 per gap year. Fully tax-deductible. Gaps prior to 2025 cannot be filled. Deadline: 31 December of the payment year.","Supplementary benefits (Ergänzungsleistungen/EL) are only paid to residents in Switzerland — not exported abroad. Non-residents are not entitled to supplementary benefits regardless of AHV entitlement. The 13th AHV pension does not affect the calculation of supplementary benefits.","AHV 2030 reform package: Federal Council opened consultation on 20 May 2026. Proposals include financial incentives to work beyond reference age 65, abolition of the age-70 cap on pension accumulation, and raising the minimum income threshold above which AHV contributions are levied for post-retirement workers from CHF 16,800 to CHF 22,680. No increase to the reference age is proposed. Implementation not expected before late 2020s/2030 at earliest.","Financing of the 13th AHV pension: Council of States voted in June 2025 to increase salary contributions by 0.4 percentage points from January 2028. Final parliamentary decision on financing mechanism still pending as of mid-2026."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en/Forms/Statement-of-the-individual-account/Switzerland","title":"Request your individual account statement","detail":"The IK-Auszug lists every year of AHV contributions and the income they were based on. It is free, and there is a standard request form."},{"n":2,"title":"Send it to the right office","detail":"If you live abroad, the Swiss Compensation Office (SCO/ZAS) in Geneva is your point of contact rather than a cantonal office. This route is designed for people outside Switzerland and does not need a Swiss digital identity."},{"n":3,"title":"Check every canton you worked in","detail":"Contributions sit with the compensation office that collected them. Asking for a consolidated statement is the way to make sure a canton is not quietly missing."},{"n":4,"title":"Trace your second-pillar (BVG/LPP) money","detail":"This is the step people miss. Occupational pension assets left behind when you changed jobs or left Switzerland may be sitting as vested benefits. The Sicherheitsfonds BVG central office searches for forgotten accounts — a genuinely common outcome for people who worked in Switzerland briefly."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/p/3.04.e","title":"Keep both records","detail":"The AHV statement and any vested-benefits confirmation are separate entitlements from separate systems. Read the flexible-retirement leaflet before deciding when to draw."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You do not know your AHV number","whatToDo":"It is on Swiss payslips and the insurance card. The Swiss Compensation Office can trace it from your name, date of birth, and Swiss employers."},{"symptom":"You left Switzerland and were paid out — or think you were","whatToDo":"AHV contributions are generally not refundable for EU/EFTA nationals; second-pillar money sometimes is, and only under conditions. A withdrawal of one does not touch the other, so check both rather than assuming the pension was settled."},{"symptom":"An employer's pension fund no longer exists","whatToDo":"Funds merge and are taken over; assets follow. The Sicherheitsfonds BVG search is the mechanism, and it is free."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.ahv-iv.ch/en","portalName":"AHV/IV Information Centre","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Swiss social security number (AHV number, starting 756), on your insurance card and Swiss payslips.","Your Swiss employers and the cantons you worked in — contributions are held by the compensation office that collected them.","For the second pillar, the names of your employers' pension funds, or at least the employers."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the individual account statement can now be requested online rather than by form for applicants abroad.","documentNameLocal":"IK-Auszug / Extrait du compte individuel","documentNameEnglish":"Individual account statement (AHV/OASI)"}},{"country":"Thailand","country_code":"TH","continent":"asia","currency":"THB","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":55,"retirement_age_max":55,"pension_system_summary":"Thailand operates a multi-layered pension system covering formal private sector workers, civil servants, and informal workers through distinct schemes. The Social Security Fund (SSF) under Section 33 is the mandatory earnings-related scheme for private sector employees, providing old-age pensions (from age 55 with 180+ months of contributions) or lump-sum settlements. The Government Pension Fund (GPF) is a defined contribution scheme for central government civil servants, supplementing the legacy non-contributory civil service defined benefit pension. The Old Age Allowance (OAA) provides a means-tested social pension to Thai citizens aged 60+ who lack other pension income. Voluntary savings vehicles include employer-sponsored Provident Funds, the National Savings Fund (NSF) for informal workers, and tax-advantaged Retirement Mutual Funds (RMF) and Thai ESG Funds.\n\nThailand's pension system is undergoing significant reform. The SSF wage ceiling was raised from THB 15,000 to THB 17,500/month effective January 2026 (Phase 1), with further increases to THB 20,000 (2029–2031) and THB 23,000 (2032+), while the 5% contribution rate remains unchanged. In July 2026, the Cabinet approved in principle a landmark shift to the Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) formula, replacing the Final Average Earnings (FAE) formula that based pensions on the last 60 months of salary; CARE uses career-average earnings adjusted to present-day values via a pension points system, and credits 0.125% per month of contributions beyond 180 months (replacing the previous 1.5% per 12-month block). The CARE regulation is pending Council of State legal review (estimated 8–10 months) and will take effect 180 days after Royal Gazette publication. The Employee Welfare Fund (EWF), a new mandatory lump-sum savings scheme for private sector workers not covered by provident funds, is confirmed to launch on 1 October 2026. Proposals to raise the SSF retirement age from 55 to 65 remain under active discussion but are not yet legislated.\n\nCoverage of informal sector workers remains a critical gap, with approximately 20 million informal workers lacking mandatory pension coverage. The OECD calculates Thailand's gross replacement rate for average earners at approximately 20% from mandatory schemes alone — among the lowest in Asia — reflecting the low contribution ceiling and the relatively early retirement age of 55. The Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2024 showed Thailand improving by 3.6 points versus 2023 (score 46.4), though Thailand remains among the lower-ranked systems globally in the 2025 index, with inadequate benefit levels and low coverage cited as key weaknesses.","has_totalization_treaties":false,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.sso.go.th","name":"Social Security Office (SSO) — Thai"},{"url":"https://www.sso.go.th/wpr/home_eng.jsp?lang=en","name":"Social Security Office (SSO) — English"},{"url":"https://www.gpf.or.th","name":"Government Pension Fund (GPF)"},{"url":"https://www.rd.go.th/english/766.html","name":"Thai Revenue Department — Double Tax Agreements"},{"url":"https://www.nsf.or.th","name":"National Savings Fund (NSF)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/th/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/th","system_type":"Multi-pillar hybrid: mandatory defined benefit (SSF) for private sector, mandatory defined contribution (GPF) for civil servants, voluntary occupational DC (provident funds), and universal social assistance (OAA)","pillar_structure":"Four-pillar system: Pillar 0 (Old Age Allowance — means-tested social pension for Thai citizens 60+); Pillar 1 (Mandatory Social Security Fund/SSF Section 33 for private sector employees; legacy Civil Service Pension DB scheme); Pillar 2 (Government Pension Fund/GPF — mandatory DC for central government civil servants; employer-sponsored Provident Funds for private sector); Pillar 3 (Voluntary — National Savings Fund for informal workers, Retirement Mutual Funds/RMF, Thai ESG Funds)","replacement_rate_gross":"~20% (average earner, mandatory SSF only, OECD); up to ~40% with full career and provident fund contributions","min_qualifying_period":"SSF old-age pension: 180 months (15 years) of contributions; GPF/Civil Service: 25 years for full DB annuity, 10 years for lump sum","min_qualifying_partial":"SSF: 12–179 months of contributions = lump sum of employee + employer contributions plus interest; under current rules, less than 12 months = lump sum of employee contributions only. Under pending CARE reform: even under 12 months would qualify for lump sum of employee + employer contributions + investment returns.","aggregation_rules":"Thailand has very limited bilateral social security agreements. Contribution periods from other countries generally cannot be aggregated with Thai SSF periods. In the absence of a totalization agreement, foreign workers must meet Thai qualifying periods independently. Thailand has bilateral exemption arrangements with select countries to prevent double contributions for temporarily posted workers, but these do not provide period aggregation for pension purposes. Thailand does not have a totalization agreement with the United States.","totalization_partners":["Thailand has very limited bilateral social security agreements; no comprehensive totalization network comparable to EU or US bilateral SSA network; bilateral exemption arrangements exist with select countries for posted workers to prevent double contributions, but comprehensive totalization agreements allowing period aggregation are not in place; no US-Thailand totalization agreement exists"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"SSF Section 33: 5% each for employee and employer on wages between THB 1,650 and THB 17,500/month (from Jan 2026; previously THB 15,000 ceiling). Maximum contribution THB 875/month per party from Jan 2026 (up from THB 750). Of the total 10% combined rate, 3% each (employee + employer) is allocated to the old-age pension sub-fund, with the government contributing an additional ~2.75% subsidy. Section 39 (voluntary continuation): flat THB 432/month based on notional wage of THB 4,800. GPF (civil servants): minimum 3% employee + 5% government (3% match + 2% compensation). Provident Funds: 2–15% each. EWF (from Oct 2026): 0.25% each with no wage ceiling, rising to 0.50% from Oct 2031. A temporary reduction to 3% (max THB 450/month) applied Oct 2024–Mar 2025 for flood-affected provinces.","employee_pct":5,"employer_pct":5},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"SSF Section 39: former Section 33 contributors who left employment within last 6 months and had at least 12 months of prior Section 33 contributions; flat THB 432/month. Provident Funds (TPF): employees of participating employers; 2–15% of salary, tax-deductible within combined THB 500,000/year cap. NSF: informal sector workers aged 15–60 not covered by SSF Section 33 or GPF; THB 50–13,200/year with government matching. RMF (Retirement Mutual Funds): open to all; contributions deductible up to 30% of assessable income, max THB 500,000/year combined with PVD, GPF, NSF, pension life insurance, and teachers' fund. Thai ESG Funds: deductible up to 30% of assessable income, max THB 300,000 (2024–2026 enhanced limit; reverts to THB 100,000 from 2027); not combined with the THB 500,000 cap. Combined deduction cap for PVF + RMF + SSF mutual fund + NSF + pension life insurance + GPF + teachers' fund: THB 500,000/year."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Under current FAE formula: pension accrual continues at 1.5% per additional 12-month period of contributions beyond 180 months. Under pending CARE formula: 0.125% per additional month of contributions beyond 180 months (equivalent to 1.5% per 12 months but credited monthly). Workers may retire later than 55 and continue accruing benefits.","early_reduction":"N/A — no early claiming option; SSF pension is only available from age 55 with 180+ months of contributions; it is not possible to claim before age 55"},"access_options":{"notes":"SSF Section 33: monthly pension from age 55 with 180+ months of contributions (20% of career-average wage under pending CARE formula; currently 20% of average wage over last 60 months + 1.5% per additional year under FAE); lump sum if 12–179 months (employee + employer contributions + interest); under pending CARE reform, even under 12 months qualifies for lump sum of employee + employer contributions + investment returns. Employment must cease to claim. GPF (civil servants): lump sum at age 60; legacy DB civil service scheme provides annuity (25+ years) or lump sum (10–25 years). Provident Funds: lump sum upon leaving employment; full tax exemption if aged 55+ with 5+ years membership; installment payments available for up to 10 years. NSF: 20-year pension paid monthly from age 60 to 80. OAA: monthly social pension from age 60 (means-tested for new claimants from Aug 2023). EWF (from Oct 2026): lump sum upon resignation, termination, retirement, or death.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"SSF lump-sum refund available to foreign workers departing Thailand permanently if ineligible for pension (under 180 months contributions). Application at local Social Security Office before or after departure. Provident fund balance paid upon employment termination regardless of residency. SSO does not remit directly to foreign bank accounts; a Thai bank account is required for pension deposits. Non-resident withholding tax applies to pension distributions."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Provident fund withdrawals at age 55+ with 5+ years of fund membership: fully tax-exempt (contributions, employer contributions, and investment returns). Withdrawals before age 55 or with less than 5 years: employee's own contributions always tax-exempt; employer contributions and returns subject to income tax with preferential calculation method available if 5+ years of employment. SSF lump-sum settlement (under 180 months): not subject to personal income tax as it is a return of contributions.","special_tax_regimes":"Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa holders (Wealthy Pensioner and other categories) are exempt from Thai tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand. Persons aged 65+ resident in Thailand receive an income tax exemption on all income up to THB 1.9 million per year. Social security contributions are tax-deductible. Combined annual deduction cap for all pension-related contributions (PVF, RMF, SSF mutual fund, NSF, pension life insurance, GPF, teachers' fund): THB 500,000. Thai ESG Fund deductions (THB 300,000 enhanced limit 2024–2026; THB 100,000 from 2027) are separate from this cap. Foreign income earned before 1 January 2024 is permanently exempt from Thai tax when remitted.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA; Thailand has 61 DTAs as of 2025–2026. Some government pensions (e.g., US Social Security, Canadian CPP/OAS, Australian government pensions) are taxable only in the source country under relevant DTAs. Private/employer pensions remitted to Thailand by tax residents (180+ days/year) are subject to Thai progressive income tax from 2024 onwards under updated remittance rules.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Thai SSF and GPF are generally not FBAR/FATCA-reportable as foreign pension plans under US tax rules, but US persons should consult a tax advisor; no US-Thailand totalization agreement exists, meaning self-employed Americans in Thailand may face double social security contributions","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Thai SSF pension income is exempt from Thai personal income tax. GPF/civil service pension income is also exempt. Provident fund withdrawals at age 55+ with 5+ years membership are tax-exempt (EEE treatment). Foreign government pensions may be exempt under specific DTA provisions (e.g., US Social Security only taxable in the US; Canadian CPP/OAS only taxable in Canada; Australian government pensions generally only taxable in Australia). Foreign private/employer pensions remitted to Thailand by tax residents are taxable under progressive rates (5–35%) from 2024, subject to DTA relief. Income earned before 1 January 2024 and held offshore is permanently exempt when remitted.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive rates 5–35% on assessable income; pension income from SSF is exempt from Thai personal income tax; provident fund withdrawals at age 55+ with 5+ years membership are fully tax-exempt; non-residents subject to withholding on Thai-sourced income"},"indexation":{"notes":"No automatic CPI or wage indexation of SSF pensions in payment; adjustments are discretionary by government decision. OAA benefit amounts have not been increased since the tiered structure was introduced and remain at THB 600–1,000/month. NSF savings earn interest linked to average 12-month Thai bank deposit rates. SSF wage ceiling for contributions was not adjusted for over 30 years (1995–2025) before the December 2025 reform. Pension benefit amounts increased from January 2026 following the wage ceiling reform (THB 3,500/month for 15 years, up from THB 3,000; THB 6,125/month for 25 years, up from THB 5,250).","method":"Ad hoc government decisions; no statutory automatic indexation mechanism for SSF pensions in payment; NSF linked to bank deposit rates","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"SSF contributions are not transferable internationally; foreign workers departing permanently may claim a lump-sum refund of SSF contributions (employee + employer share + interest if 12+ months; under pending CARE reform, even under 12 months qualifies for employee + employer contributions + investment returns) at the Social Security Office. Provident fund balances are portable between employers within Thailand (transfer to new employer's fund or to an RMF). Thailand has no comprehensive bilateral social security totalization agreements allowing cross-border period aggregation and no US-Thailand totalization agreement. SSO pension payments require a Thai bank account; direct remittance to foreign bank accounts is not available."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"SSF old-age pension/settlement: Apply at any local Social Security Office (SSO) branch in Thailand, or through the SSO online portal (sso.go.th). Submit required documents; pension paid monthly to Thai bank account. GPF benefits: processed through the employing government agency and GPF directly. OAA: apply at local municipality (tessaban) or sub-district administrative organization (OrBorTor). Provident fund: contact employer's HR department or fund management company. Foreign workers departing Thailand should apply for SSF lump-sum refund at SSO before or after departure (Thai bank account required for payment).","advance_timeline":"Apply at or after age 55 (SSF); age 60 (OAA, GPF civil service); no specific advance filing window required","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Thai national ID card (Thai nationals) or passport and work permit (foreign workers)","SSO contribution record / insured person registration document","Thai bank account details (passbook or account certificate)","Employment termination document or resignation letter","SSO Form (สปส. 1-20 for Section 39; relevant claim form for old-age benefit)","Proof of age (birth certificate or ID)","For foreign workers: valid passport, work permit history, and departure documentation if claiming lump-sum refund on departure"],"local_bank_required":true,"portal_access_notes":"SSO online portal (sso.go.th) is accessible internationally for checking contribution records and benefit status. Pension payments require a Thai bank account; SSO does not remit directly to foreign bank accounts. GPF portal (gpf.or.th) accessible internationally for civil servants.","proof_of_life_notes":"Pensioners residing abroad must submit annual proof of life to continue receiving SSF pension payments. Acceptable methods include: in-person certification at an SSO office in Thailand, certification by a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, certification by a licensed lawyer, or certification by a doctor or police officer. Failure to submit may result in suspension of payments.","international_contact":{"phone":"Social Security Office headquarters in Nonthaburi; 12 district offices in Bangkok; provincial offices nationwide; website: sso.go.th"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Thai (official); SSO English portal available at sso.go.th for general information","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Social Security Fund (SSF) — Section 33","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory scheme for private sector employees. Provides old-age pension (20% of career-average wage under the pending CARE formula — currently 20% of average wage over last 60 months for 180+ months of contributions, plus 1.5% per additional 12-month period beyond 180 months under current FAE formula; CARE will replace this with 0.125% per additional month). Employment must cease at age 55 to claim. Also covers sickness, maternity, disability, death, unemployment, and child allowance. Wage ceiling raised from THB 15,000 to THB 17,500/month effective January 2026 (Phase 1, 2026–2028); further increases to THB 20,000 (2029–2031) and THB 23,000 (2032+). Contribution rate remains 5% each for employee and employer. Government contributes an additional subsidy (~2.75% of covered wages). Pension from January 2026: THB 3,500/month for 15 years of contributions (up from THB 3,000); THB 6,125/month for 25 years (up from THB 5,250). Cabinet approved CARE formula in principle (July 2026); pending legal review and Royal Gazette publication before taking effect.","officialUrl":"https://www.sso.go.th","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"180 months (15 years) for monthly pension; 1–179 months for lump-sum settlement (under pending CARE rules, even under 12 months qualifies for lump sum of employee + employer contributions + investment returns)","contributionRateEmployee":"5% of monthly salary (wage floor THB 1,650; ceiling THB 17,500 from Jan 2026, previously THB 15,000); max contribution THB 875/month from Jan 2026","contributionRateEmployer":"5% of monthly salary (same ceiling); government also contributes ~2.75% subsidy"},{"name":"Social Security Fund (SSF) — Section 39","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary continuation scheme for workers who have left employment but wish to maintain SSF coverage. Must have previously contributed under Section 33 for at least 12 months and apply within 6 months of leaving employment. Contributions are based on a fixed notional wage of THB 4,800/month. Provides same benefits as Section 33 except unemployment insurance. Coverage lapses if contributions missed for 3 consecutive months. Section 39 members are among the primary beneficiaries of the pending CARE formula reform, which would base pensions on career-average earnings rather than the lower notional wage used in the final 60 months.","officialUrl":"https://www.sso.go.th","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"THB 432/month (9% of fixed notional wage of THB 4,800)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Old Age Allowance (OAA)","type":"state","description":"Non-contributory social pension for Thai citizens aged 60+. Means-tested for new claimants from 12 August 2023 (household income must be below a limit set by the National Commission for the Elderly); existing recipients are unaffected. Monthly amounts: THB 600 (ages 60–69), THB 700 (ages 70–79), THB 800 (ages 80–89), THB 1,000 (ages 90+). Not available to those receiving civil service pensions. Administered by local government authorities (municipalities/sub-districts). A citizen-proposed 'People's Pension' bill to raise payments to THB 3,000/month was rejected by the Prime Minister in April 2025 as fiscally unviable.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Government Pension Fund (GPF)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory defined contribution scheme for central government civil servants joining after 27 March 1997. Supplements the legacy non-contributory Civil Service Pension (defined benefit, funded by general taxation). Members contribute a minimum 3% of salary (voluntary additional contributions up to 15%); government contributes minimum 3% as employer match plus an additional 2% compensation payment. At retirement (age 60 for civil servants), members receive accumulated savings plus investment returns as a lump sum. Civil servants with 25+ years of service under the legacy DB scheme receive an annuity; those with 10–25 years receive a lump sum. A proposal to raise the civil service retirement age from 60 to 65 was under study by the OCSC and GPF as of late 2025, but has not been legislated.","officialUrl":"https://www.gpf.or.th","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"25 years for full DB annuity (legacy scheme); 10 years minimum for lump sum (legacy scheme)","contributionRateEmployee":"Minimum 3% of salary (voluntary up to 15%)","contributionRateEmployer":"Minimum 3% employer match + 2% compensation contribution (total minimum 5% from government)"},{"name":"Thai Provident Funds (TPF / PVD)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored defined contribution savings plans registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Provident Fund Act B.E. 2530 (1987). Both employer and employee contribute 2–15% of salary. Tax-deductible contributions (up to THB 500,000/year combined with other pension deductions including RMF, GPF, NSF, pension life insurance, and teachers' fund). Full tax exemption on withdrawal if member is aged 55+ with 5+ years of fund membership. Portable between employers via fund transfer. Investment returns exempt from personal income tax. Employers with 10+ employees who already offer a qualifying provident fund are exempt from the Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) obligation.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"5 years membership at age 55+ for full tax exemption on withdrawal","contributionRateEmployee":"2–15% of monthly salary (employee's choice within fund rules)","contributionRateEmployer":"2–15% of monthly salary (typically matches or exceeds employee rate)"},{"name":"National Savings Fund (NSF)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary government-promoted savings scheme for informal sector workers (self-employed, farmers, freelancers) aged 15–60 not covered by SSF Section 33 or GPF. Annual contributions: minimum THB 50, maximum THB 13,200. Government matching contributions: 50% of member contribution (up to THB 600/year) for ages 15–30; 80% (up to THB 960/year) for ages 31–50; 100% (up to THB 1,200/year) for ages 51–60. Savings earn interest linked to average 12-month Thai bank deposit rates. Benefits paid as a 20-year pension from age 60 to 80. NSF contributions are tax-deductible up to THB 30,000/year (within the combined THB 500,000 cap). Administered by the National Savings Fund Office under the Ministry of Finance.","officialUrl":"https://www.nsf.or.th","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"THB 50–13,200 per year (flexible, no fixed monthly requirement)","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Employee Welfare Fund (EWF)","type":"occupational","description":"New mandatory lump-sum savings scheme established under the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998), activated by Royal Decree in November 2024. Implementation confirmed for 1 October 2026 (delayed one year from original October 2025 by Cabinet approval on 26 August 2025). Mandatory for private sector employers with 10+ employees who do not already offer a qualifying provident fund. Provides lump-sum payment to employees upon resignation, termination, retirement, or death. No wage ceiling applies — contributions calculated on full monthly salary. Phase 1 (Oct 2026–Sep 2031): 0.25% of wages each from employer and employee. Phase 2 (Oct 2031+): 0.50% each. Administered by the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare. Non-compliance carries a 5% monthly surcharge on unpaid amounts.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"0.25% of monthly wages (Oct 2026–Sep 2031); 0.50% from Oct 2031","contributionRateEmployer":"0.25% of monthly wages (Oct 2026–Sep 2031); 0.50% from Oct 2031"}],"cross_border_notes":["Foreigners with valid work permits are covered under SSF Section 33 with the same contribution rates and eligibility as Thai nationals; employers must register migrant workers within 30 days of hiring","Foreign workers can request a lump-sum refund of SSF contributions (employee + employer share + interest if 12+ months; under pending CARE reform, even under 12 months qualifies for employee + employer contributions + investment returns) upon permanent departure from Thailand; application at any SSO branch","SSO does not remit pension payments directly to foreign bank accounts; pensioners abroad must maintain a Thai bank account for monthly deposits","Thailand has 61 Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) as of 2025–2026, covering the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, China, and others; DTAs are critical for foreign residents following the January 2024 update to Thailand's foreign income remittance tax rules","From 1 January 2024, foreign-sourced income (including foreign pensions) remitted to Thailand by tax residents (180+ days/year) is subject to Thai progressive income tax; DTA provisions may exempt certain government pensions (e.g., US Social Security only taxable in the US under the US-Thailand DTA; Canadian CPP/OAS only taxable in Canada; Australian government pensions generally only taxable in Australia); income earned before 1 January 2024 is permanently exempt when remitted","Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa holders in the Wealthy Pensioner category are exempt from Thai tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand","Thailand has no US-Thailand totalization agreement and very limited bilateral social security totalization agreements; contribution periods from other countries cannot generally be aggregated with Thai SSF periods for pension eligibility; self-employed Americans in Thailand may face double social security contributions","The Employee Welfare Fund (EWF), launching 1 October 2026, applies to all private sector employers with 10+ employees including those employing foreign workers, unless a qualifying provident fund is already in place; contribution rate is 0.25% of full monthly wages (no ceiling) from each party, rising to 0.50% from October 2031","SSF Section 33 wage ceiling reform (effective January 2026): ceiling raised from THB 15,000 to THB 17,500/month (Phase 1, 2026–2028), with further increases to THB 20,000 (2029–2031) and THB 23,000 (2032+); contribution rate remains 5% each; maximum contribution rises from THB 750 to THB 875/month per party","Cabinet approved in principle the CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension formula in July 2026, replacing the FAE formula; CARE bases pensions on career-average earnings adjusted to present-day values, credits 0.125% per month beyond 180 months, and extends lump-sum eligibility to workers with under 12 months of contributions; not yet law — pending Council of State review and Royal Gazette publication","Proposals to raise the SSF retirement age from 55 to 65 remain under active discussion (ILO recommendation, Labour Ministry consideration) but are not yet legislated; civil service retirement age of 60 is also under study for potential increase to 65"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.sso.go.th/wpr/home_eng.jsp?lang=en","title":"Start at the SSO","detail":"The Social Security Office administers the Thai Social Security Fund, which includes the old-age benefit."},{"n":2,"title":"Request your contribution record","detail":"It shows the months contributed. The old-age benefit is a monthly pension after 180 months of contributions, and a lump sum below that."},{"n":3,"title":"Check whether you qualify for a pension or a lump sum","detail":"This distinction decides everything else. Under 180 months, what you receive is a refund of contributions rather than a pension."},{"n":4,"title":"If you are a departing foreign worker, ask about the lump-sum refund","detail":"Foreign employees who leave Thailand permanently can claim back their old-age contributions. The rules on timing and evidence are specific, so ask the SSO rather than assuming."},{"n":5,"title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep whatever the SSO issues, and note the office that holds your file — Thai records are administered by the local provincial office."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"The English site does not offer your record online","whatToDo":"SSO services are largely Thai-language and often handled at the branch that registered you. A written request, or an authorised representative in Thailand, is the practical route from abroad."},{"symptom":"Your employer registered you under a passport number you no longer hold","whatToDo":"Provide both passport numbers and the employer's registration details so the office can match the file."},{"symptom":"You contributed under Section 39 after leaving employment","whatToDo":"Voluntary contributions count, but they lapse if payments stop. Ask specifically whether your Section 39 status is still active — many people assume it is."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.sso.go.th/wpr/home_eng.jsp?lang=en","portalName":"Social Security Office (SSO)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Thai social security number, or the number issued against your passport if you were a foreign employee.","Your Thai employers and dates, and whether you were insured under Section 33 (employee) or Section 39 (voluntary continuation).","Your Thai bank account details, if you expect a payment."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether the SSO online portal issues a contribution record to a member outside Thailand.","documentNameLocal":"ข้อมูลผู้ประกันตน (SSO)","documentNameEnglish":"Social Security Fund contribution record"}},{"country":"Turkey","country_code":"TR","continent":"europe","currency":"TRY","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"Turkey operates a social insurance pension system administered by the Social Security Institution (SGK – Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu), providing earnings-related defined-benefit pensions on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) basis. The system was unified in 2006–2008, merging three previously separate institutions — SSK (private sector), Emekli Sandığı (civil servants), and Bağ-Kur (self-employed) — under a single framework governed by Law No. 5510 on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance. As of April 2025, over 23 million individuals are insured under SGK. Retirement eligibility depends on a combination of age, insurance start date, and number of contribution days, with the standard age being 58 for women and 60 for men for those who first enrolled after September 8, 1999. The landmark EYT reform (March 2023) removed the age requirement for workers insured on or before September 8, 1999, allowing approximately 5 million people to retire based solely on contribution duration. Law No. 7566 (effective January 2026) raised the employer long-term insurance contribution from 11% to 12%, reduced the non-manufacturing Treasury discount from 4 to 2 percentage points, and lifted the SGK earnings ceiling from 7.5× to 9× the monthly minimum wage. The minimum pension was raised to TRY 20,000/month as of January 2026.\n\nA voluntary private pension system (BES – Bireysel Emeklilik Sistemi) was introduced in 2003 and has grown to nearly 18 million participants. Since 2017, employees under age 45 are automatically enrolled in employer-sponsored BES accounts (OKS – Otomatik Katılım Sistemi) at a default 3% of salary, with a 2-month opt-out window. Effective January 7, 2026, the government reduced the state matching contribution rate from 30% to 20% via presidential decree, and the one-time OKS retention bonus was halved from TRY 1,000 to TRY 500. BES early withdrawal rules were expanded from July 2024 for marriage, home purchase, natural disasters, and education (the education option became available from June 2026, restricted to participants under 21 in formal undergraduate programs in Turkey). A major structural reform — the Complementary Pension System (TES – Tamamlayıcı Emeklilik Sistemi) — has been planned for Q2 2026 to convert OKS into a mandatory Pillar II system requiring tripartite contributions from employees (3%), employers (2%), and the state (1%), but as of mid-2026 the enabling legislation had not yet been enacted and the timeline has faced repeated delays.\n\nSGK pensions are indexed bi-annually (January and July) based on the CPI of the preceding six-month period per Article 55 of Law No. 5510. The January 2026 increase for SSK/Bağ-Kur retirees was 12.19%. Turkey has bilateral social security agreements with over 35 countries, though no totalization agreement exists with the United States. SGK revenues for 2026 are projected at TRY 5.17 trillion against expenditures of TRY 6.94 trillion, requiring substantial Treasury transfers to sustain the system.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.sgk.gov.tr","name":"SGK (Social Security Institution)"},{"url":"https://www.egm.org.tr","name":"EGM (Pension Monitoring Centre – Emeklilik Gözetim Merkezi)"},{"url":"https://www.turkiye.gov.tr","name":"e-Devlet (Turkish e-Government Portal)"},{"url":"https://www.csgb.gov.tr","name":"Ministry of Labour and Social Security"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/tr/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/tr","system_type":"Bismarckian social insurance / earnings-related defined-benefit PAYG (SGK) + voluntary defined-contribution (BES)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: SGK (mandatory, PAYG DB, state-administered); Pillar 2: None currently mandatory — TES (Complementary Pension System) planned to create a mandatory occupational DC pillar but not yet enacted as of mid-2026; Pillar 3: BES (voluntary DC with auto-enrollment OKS, government matching now 20% effective January 2026)","replacement_rate_gross":"≥70% for average earner (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); net replacement rate exceeds 90% for average earners","min_qualifying_period":"9,000 contribution days (standard for post-2008 entrants under Law No. 5510); reduced to 7,200 days for employees under an employment contract (Law No. 7566); 5,000–5,975 days for EYT-eligible workers (pre-September 8, 1999 entrants); 7,200 days for Bağ-Kur/Emekli Sandığı women and 9,000 days for men under EYT rules","min_qualifying_partial":"1,800 contribution days for disability pension; 900 days (with 5 years insurance) for survivor pension","aggregation_rules":"Bilateral social security agreements allow combining insurance periods across 35+ partner countries for pension eligibility. Periods from agreement countries are totalized to meet minimum qualifying thresholds. No totalization agreement with the United States — workers subject to dual contributions in both countries.","totalization_partners":["Albania","Austria","Azerbaijan","Belgium","Bosnia and Herzegovina","Bulgaria","Canada","Croatia","Czech Republic","Denmark","France","Georgia","Germany","Hungary","Iran","Italy","Kosovo","Kyrgyzstan","Libya","Luxembourg","North Macedonia","Moldova","Mongolia","Montenegro","Netherlands","Norway","Poland","Romania","Serbia","Slovakia","South Korea","Sweden","Switzerland","Tunisia","Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus","United Kingdom"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employee total: 9% long-term MYO (disability/old-age/survivors) + 5% general health insurance = 14%; plus 1% unemployment insurance. Employer total effective January 2026 under Law No. 7566: 12% long-term MYO (up from 11%) + 7.5% general health + 2.25% short-term branches = 21.75%; plus 2% unemployment insurance. Non-manufacturing employers previously received a 4-point Treasury discount (now reduced to 2 points under Law No. 7566); manufacturing employers retain a 5-point incentive through December 31, 2026. SGK earnings ceiling raised from 7.5× to 9× monthly minimum wage (TRY 297,270/month) effective January 2026. Self-employed (Bağ-Kur) contribute at a combined rate of 20–21% on a declared earnings base (minimum: monthly minimum wage). Service credit purchases increased from 32% to 45% effective January 2026.","employee_pct":14,"employer_pct":21.75,"self_employed_pct":"20–21"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"eligibility_conditions":"BES (voluntary): Open to all residents aged 18+; no age restriction for voluntary enrollment. OKS (auto-enrollment): Mandatory enrollment for employees under 45; voluntary for those 45 and older. Voluntary SGK contributions available for those not otherwise covered (e.g., homemakers, students) at a combined rate of approximately 32–45% of declared earnings base (service credit purchase rate raised to 45% effective January 2026 under Law No. 7566)."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No explicit deferral bonus for SGK. Continued contributions after meeting retirement conditions increase the pension base. Civil servants may defer up to age 65. Individuals aged 3 years above standard retirement age with at least 5,400 contribution days may also qualify for pension regardless of standard age thresholds (up to age 65 maximum).","early_reduction":"No standard early retirement reduction for SGK (pension is payable once qualifying conditions are met regardless of age for EYT-eligible workers). For post-1999 entrants, early retirement before standard age is generally not available except in special categories (hazardous work, disability). No actuarial reduction mechanism applies."},"access_options":{"notes":"SGK (state pension): Annuity only; paid monthly in Turkish lira. BES/OKS (private pension): Lump sum or annuity at retirement (age 56+ with 10 years participation). Early withdrawal from BES permitted since July 2024 for marriage, home purchase, and natural disasters (up to 50% of balance after 5 years participation, once per event type); education withdrawals available from June 2026 for participants under 21 in formal undergraduate programs in Turkey. Full early exit from BES forfeits government matching contributions. Lump-sum settlement (toptan ödeme) available for those who do not meet full pension qualifying conditions at ages 58 (women) or 60 (men).","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"SGK pension payable abroad to qualifying retirees under bilateral social security agreements. BES account accessible at retirement age regardless of residency. Non-resident withholding tax applies per applicable DTA. Foreign nationals with no bilateral agreement may request refund of SGK contributions if they do not meet qualifying conditions, subject to general Turkish rules."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"BES: tax-free if held 10+ years and participant is age 56+; otherwise withholding tax of 5–15% applies depending on duration. SGK lump-sum settlement (toptan ödeme) subject to standard income tax rules.","special_tax_regimes":"BES contributions by employer exempt from SGK premium base up to 30% of monthly minimum wage. Employee BES contributions deductible from income tax base up to 15% of declared income (capped at annual minimum wage). Pension income of retirees subject to reduced effective tax rates due to lower social contribution obligations. SGK earnings ceiling for 2026: TRY 297,270/month (9× minimum wage).","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA; US-Turkey DTA (1997) generally taxes pensions in country of residence; government/public pensions may be taxed only in the paying country","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US persons receiving Turkish SGK or BES pension must report on Form 1040; Form 8833 for treaty positions; Form 1116 for foreign tax credit. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to BES accounts held abroad. No US-Turkey totalization agreement — dual social security contributions may apply.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Government service pensions (Emekli Sandığı-origin) may be taxed exclusively in Turkey under some DTAs; private SGK and BES pensions generally taxed in country of residence under most treaties","nonresident_withholding_pct":"Progressive rates 15–40% on pension income paid from Turkey; reduced under applicable double tax treaties (DTAs)"},"indexation":{"notes":"SGK pensions are indexed bi-annually in January and July based on the CPI change of the preceding six-month period, per Article 55 of Law No. 5510. This indexation applies equally to pensioners residing abroad. The January 2026 increase for SSK/Bağ-Kur retirees was 12.19%, raising the minimum pension from TRY 16,881 (July 2025) to TRY 20,000. The 2026 Annual Economic Program confirmed no additional increases beyond standard inflation-based adjustments for SSK/Bağ-Kur pensioners. SGK fiscal position for 2026: revenues projected at TRY 5.17 trillion vs. expenditures of TRY 6.94 trillion, requiring TRY 2.33 trillion in direct Treasury transfers.","method":"Bi-annual CPI-based adjustment (January and July); based on TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) inflation data for the preceding 6-month period","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"SGK pensions are payable abroad under bilateral social security agreements (35+ countries). Pension amounts are paid in Turkish lira and can be transferred to international bank accounts. BES accounts are portable and accessible regardless of residency at retirement age. No transfer of SGK accrued rights to foreign systems; totalization (period aggregation) is available under bilateral agreements. EU association agreement provisions apply for Turkish workers in EU member states."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply at an SGK Social Security Provincial Directorate in Turkey, or through Turkish embassies and consulates abroad. Complete the Claim for Allocation form and Document of Representations and Warranties (available from SGK provincial offices and sgk.gov.tr). Applications can also be initiated online via the e-Devlet (e-Government) portal at turkiye.gov.tr. For overseas applicants, the nearest Turkish consulate can assist with documentation and submission. For pensions based on credited foreign service periods, additional forms under Law No. 3201 are required.","advance_timeline":"Applications can be submitted once qualifying conditions are met; no mandatory advance notice period for SGK pension claims","payment_frequency":"Monthly","required_documents":["Turkish ID card or passport","Work records and contribution history (SGK service extract / hizmet dökümü)","Military service certificate (if applicable, for service borrowing)","Hayatta Belgesi (Certificate of Existence) for overseas pensioners — obtained from nearest Turkish consulate or local municipal authority","Bank account details capable of receiving international transfers","Certificate of residence or existence from local authorities (if residing abroad)","Document of Representation Warranties for Claimants under Law No. 3201 (for foreign service credit applicants)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"SGK services accessible via e-Devlet (e-Government) portal at turkiye.gov.tr (68 million registered users as of January 2026). EGM (Pension Monitoring Centre) portal at egm.org.tr provides BES account access. SGK International Division contact: +90 212 293 90 80; Mobile: +90 542 131 65 40.","proof_of_life_notes":"Hayatta Belgesi (Certificate of Existence) required periodically for overseas pensioners to confirm the recipient is alive and ensure uninterrupted payments. Obtained from the nearest Turkish consulate or local municipal authority. If obtained from a foreign authority in a foreign language, a sworn Turkish translation is required. Failure to submit may result in suspension of payments. SGK cross-checks domestic pensioners against police records every 15 days and does not require a separate life certificate for Turkey-resident pensioners.","international_contact":{"phone":"SGK International Division: +90 212 293 90 80; Mobile: +90 542 131 65 40"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"Turkish (official); consular assistance available in local languages","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"SGK Old-Age Pension","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related PAYG defined-benefit scheme unified since 2008 under Law No. 5510, covering all private sector, public sector, and self-employed workers. Benefit size is determined by contribution history. Standard qualifying conditions for those insured after 8 September 1999: age 58 (women) or 60 (men) with 9,000 contribution days (reduced to 7,200 days for employees under an employment contract per Law No. 7566). EYT reform (March 2023, Law No. 7438) allows those insured on or before 8 September 1999 to retire without age requirement if they have 20 years (women) or 25 years (men) of coverage and 5,000–5,975 contribution days. Pensions indexed bi-annually to CPI (January and July). Minimum pension raised to TRY 20,000/month as of January 2026 (up from TRY 16,881 in July 2025), benefiting approximately 4.9 million retirees. SGK earnings ceiling raised from 7.5× to 9× the monthly minimum wage (TRY 297,270/month) effective January 2026 under Law No. 7566.","officialUrl":"https://www.sgk.gov.tr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"9,000 contribution days (standard post-2008 entrants); 7,200 days for employees under employment contract (Law No. 7566); 5,000–5,975 days for EYT-eligible pre-September 1999 entrants","contributionRateEmployee":"9% (long-term MYO branch only); 14% total including 5% general health insurance","contributionRateEmployer":"12% (long-term MYO branch, effective January 2026 under Law No. 7566, up from 11%); 21.75% total including health and short-term branches"},{"name":"BES / OKS (Bireysel Emeklilik Sistemi / Otomatik Katılım Sistemi)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual defined-contribution pension (BES) with auto-enrollment component (OKS) since 2017. Employees under 45 are automatically enrolled at 3% of salary with a 2-month opt-out window; voluntary enrollment available for those 45 and older. Government matches 20% of annual contributions effective January 7, 2026 (reduced from 30% by presidential decree), capped at 20% of gross annual minimum wage. One-time OKS retention bonus reduced to TRY 500 (from TRY 1,000). Additional state bonus: 5% of account balance at retirement if annuity is taken over 10+ years. BES retirement age: 56 with minimum 10 years of participation. Early withdrawals permitted since July 2024 for marriage, home purchase, and natural disasters (after 5 years participation, up to 50% of balance); education withdrawals available from June 2026 for participants under 21 enrolled in formal undergraduate programs in Turkey. State contribution vests progressively: 15% after 3 years, 35% after 6 years, 100% after 10 years. BES had approximately 17.85 million participants and TRY 2.1 trillion in total assets as of late 2025.","officialUrl":"https://www.egm.org.tr","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years minimum participation to access full state contribution; minimum age 56 for retirement","contributionRateEmployee":"3% of salary (OKS default; voluntary BES contributions are flexible)","contributionRateEmployer":"Voluntary under current OKS (employer contributions not mandatory until TES launch)"},{"name":"TES (Tamamlayıcı Emeklilik Sistemi – Complementary Pension System)","type":"occupational","description":"Planned mandatory supplementary pension system to replace OKS, announced in the 2026 Presidential Annual Program (Official Gazette No. 33062, October 30, 2025). Intended to launch Q2 2026 but as of mid-2026 enabling legislation had not been enacted and the timeline has faced repeated delays. Expected features: mandatory auto-enrollment for all employees (no age restriction unlike current OKS); tripartite contributions of employee 3%, employer 2%, state 1% (total 6% of salary); no voluntary opt-out (withdrawal only for specific circumstances such as retirement, disability, or death); minimum 10-year participation before accessing funds. Severance pay entitlements remain unaffected. Exact rates and rules not yet officially enacted; final provisions may differ from announced framework.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"10 years minimum participation (proposed)","contributionRateEmployee":"3% (proposed)","contributionRateEmployer":"2% (proposed)"},{"name":"OYAK Military Pension Fund","type":"occupational","description":"Supplementary defined-contribution fund for members of the Turkish Armed Forces. Separate from SGK; provides additional retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to military personnel.","officialUrl":"https://www.oyak.com.tr","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["SGK old-age pension is payable abroad under bilateral social security agreements; survivor pension also payable abroad under bilateral agreements","NO totalization agreement with the United States — Turkish and US workers subject to dual social security contributions in both countries","EYT reform (Law No. 7438, March 2023) removed the age requirement for workers first insured on or before September 8, 1999; approximately 5 million became eligible, with 2.25 million retiring in 2023","Law No. 7566 (effective January 2026) increased employer long-term insurance (MYO) contribution from 11% to 12%, raised the SGK earnings ceiling from 7.5× to 9× the monthly minimum wage (TRY 297,270/month), and reduced the non-manufacturing Treasury discount from 4 to 2 percentage points","BES state contribution rate reduced from 30% to 20% effective January 7, 2026 by presidential decree; one-time OKS retention bonus also halved from TRY 1,000 to TRY 500; existing accumulated balances under the 30% scheme are unaffected","TES (Complementary Pension System) planned to replace OKS with mandatory tripartite contributions (employee 3%, employer 2%, state 1%); announced for Q2 2026 launch but enabling legislation not yet enacted as of mid-2026 and timeline has faced repeated delays","BES early withdrawal rules expanded from July 2024: participants may withdraw up to 50% of balance for marriage, home purchase, or natural disasters after 5 years participation (once per event type); education withdrawals available from June 2026 for participants under 21 in formal undergraduate programs in Turkey","Minimum pension raised to TRY 20,000/month as of January 2026 (18.48% increase from TRY 16,881), benefiting approximately 4.9 million retirees","Minimum contribution requirement for self-employed (Bağ-Kur) workers reduced from 9,000 to 7,200 days under Law No. 7566, allowing approximately one million tradespeople to retire earlier","Foreign nationals covered by a bilateral social security agreement are exempt from Turkish SGK contributions for the duration specified in the agreement; without an agreement, exemption is limited to 3 months with proof of home-country coverage","Pension payments are made in Turkish lira; overseas recipients should account for currency exchange risk and potential transfer fees","SGK fiscal imbalance: 2026 revenues projected at TRY 5.17 trillion vs. expenditures of TRY 6.94 trillion, requiring TRY 2.33 trillion in direct Treasury transfers"],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.turkiye.gov.tr","title":"Sign in to e-Devlet","detail":"e-Devlet is the Turkish government's single online services portal, and SGK services run through it."},{"n":2,"title":"Open the SGK service record","detail":"The hizmet dökümü lists your insured days by employer and status. Turkish entitlement depends on premium days and insurance start date, so both matter."},{"n":3,"url":"https://www.sgk.gov.tr","title":"Check which status covered each period","detail":"SSK, Bağ-Kur and Emekli Sandığı had different rules and different retirement conditions. The merged record still distinguishes them, and your entitlement depends on the mix."},{"n":4,"title":"Consider borçlanma if you have gaps","detail":"Turkey allows some past periods to be bought in — military service, periods abroad, maternity. Whether it is worthwhile is a separate question, but the record is what tells you the gaps exist."},{"n":5,"url":"https://www.egm.org.tr","title":"Save the record","detail":"Keep the PDF. If you also have a private pension (BES), the Pension Monitoring Centre tracks those separately."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You cannot get an e-Devlet password from abroad","whatToDo":"Turkish consulates assist citizens; PTT branches issue passwords in person in Turkey. SGK provincial directorates also issue service records on a written request, and consulates can forward applications."},{"symptom":"You are a foreign national who worked in Turkey","whatToDo":"A foreigner identity number was assigned. Provide it with your passport details and employer; SGK can trace insured periods without a Turkish citizenship number."},{"symptom":"Periods under an old fund are missing","whatToDo":"Pre-merger SSK and Bağ-Kur records were migrated into SGK. If a period is absent, ask SGK to search under the predecessor institution and the employer's old registration number."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.turkiye.gov.tr","portalName":"e-Devlet","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Turkish identity number (T.C. Kimlik No), or your foreigner identity number if you worked in Turkey as a foreign national.","An e-Devlet password. It is issued in person at PTT branches in Turkey, and Turkish consulates can help citizens abroad — this is the usual blocker.","Your Turkish employers and years, and which status you had: SSK (employee), Bağ-Kur (self-employed) or Emekli Sandığı (civil servant), now all merged into SGK."],"couldNotVerify":"Which Turkish consulates currently issue e-Devlet credentials, and whether the service record is available in English.","documentNameLocal":"Hizmet dökümü (SGK tescil ve hizmet dökümü)","documentNameEnglish":"Social security service record"}},{"country":"United Arab Emirates","country_code":"AE","continent":"asia","currency":"AED","retirement_age_early":55,"retirement_age_full":60,"retirement_age_max":65,"pension_system_summary":"The UAE operates a multi-pillar pension system that is fundamentally split between UAE nationals (Emiratis) and expatriate workers. For Emiratis, a mandatory defined benefit (DB) social insurance system is administered by three separate authorities depending on emirate: the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) covers federal, government, and private sector employees in Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain; the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund (ADPF) covers all employees in Abu Dhabi; and the Sharjah Social Security Fund covers Sharjah government employees. GCC nationals working in the UAE are also covered under the GCC Insurance Protection Extension Program, receiving pension benefits according to their home country's laws. The system was significantly reformed by Federal Decree Law No. 57 of 2023, which applies to new Emirati entrants to the workforce from October 31, 2023 onward, raising contribution rates to 26% of pensionable salary (11% employee, 15% employer), increasing salary caps, and setting a new minimum retirement age of 55 with 30 years of service. Existing members registered before that date continue under Federal Law No. 7 of 1999 (20% total contributions: 5% employee, 12.5% employer, 2.5% government). ADPF similarly updated its rules from December 1, 2023, with new active members contributing 11% and employers 15%. Expatriate workers (non-GCC nationals) are not covered by any national pension scheme; instead, they receive a mandatory end-of-service gratuity (EOSG) lump sum upon termination, calculated at 21 days' basic salary per year for the first 5 years and 30 days per year thereafter, capped at 2 years' total basic salary. Since 2023, a voluntary alternative savings scheme (MoHRE EOSB Savings Scheme, governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 96 of 2023) and the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) plan in the DIFC free zone offer funded DC alternatives to the traditional gratuity for expatriates. From April 2025, ADGM employees may also choose between the standard gratuity system or an ADGM-specific savings plan. As of Q1 2026, GPSSA had 184,522 insured members and 24,667 registered employers, with pension payouts reaching USD 708 million in that quarter alone.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en","name":"GPSSA Ma'ashi Digital Platform"},{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae","name":"GPSSA Official Website"},{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/member/login","name":"GPSSA Member Login"},{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en/services","name":"GPSSA Services"},{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en/help/faq","name":"GPSSA FAQ"},{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en/contact-us","name":"GPSSA Contact"},{"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en/services/pension-advisory-service","name":"GPSSA Pension Advisory Service"},{"url":"https://www.pension.gov.ae","name":"Abu Dhabi Pension Fund (ADPF) Official Website"},{"url":"https://www.tamm.abudhabi/wb/adpf","name":"ADPF on TAMM Abu Dhabi Platform"},{"url":"https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/working-in-uae-government-sector/pensions-and-social-security-for-uae-citizens","name":"UAE Official Government Portal – Pensions"},{"url":"https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/employment-in-the-private-sector/end-of-service-benefits-for-employees-in-the-private-sector","name":"MoHRE – End of Service Benefits / Savings Scheme"},{"url":"https://www.difc.ae/business/operating/employee-workplace-savings/","name":"DIFC DEWS Scheme"},{"url":"https://zws.zurich.ae/en/dews/employer","name":"DEWS Portal (Zurich)"},{"url":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2254","name":"UAE Legislation – Federal Decree Law No. 57 of 2023"},{"url":"https://www.adgm.com/working-in-adgm/employment-regulations","name":"ADGM Employment Regulations (including EOSB Savings Scheme from April 2025)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ae/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/ae","system_type":"Bismarckian (earnings-related DB for nationals); DC/Gratuity for expatriates","pillar_structure":"Three-pillar system: Pillar 1 – Mandatory state DB pension for UAE/GCC nationals (GPSSA/ADPF/Sharjah SSF); Pillar 2 – Occupational DC savings (DEWS for DIFC employees; MoHRE voluntary EOSB Savings Scheme for private sector; ADGM savings plan from April 2025); Pillar 3 – Voluntary personal savings and investment","replacement_rate_gross":"~80% (2.67% per year of service up to 30 years, then +4% per year to a maximum of 100%; minimum pension AED 10,000/month guaranteed by GPSSA)","min_qualifying_period":"15 years (for pension at age 60 under both 1999 and 2023 laws)","min_qualifying_partial":"Less than 15 years results in end-of-service gratuity lump sum rather than pension","aggregation_rules":"Service periods between GPSSA, ADPF, and Sharjah SSF can be merged/transferred via a Benefits Exchange process through the Ma'ashi platform. From November 2025, a 10-year payment plan for merging service periods is available to all insured individuals. UAE nationals working in other GCC countries can aggregate service periods under the GCC Insurance Protection Extension System (in force since January 2006). Previous service periods (including pre-citizenship service and military service) may be purchased and added to the contribution record via the Ma'ashi platform. Under Law 57/2023, insured must have 25 actual service years (or 15 years if aged 60) to purchase additional service years.","totalization_partners":["Bahrain","Kuwait","Oman","Qatar","Saudi Arabia"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Under Federal Decree Law No. 57 of 2023 (new members from Oct 31, 2023): total 26% (11% employee + 15% employer); private sector salary cap AED 70,000/month; public sector cap AED 100,000/month. Under Federal Law No. 7 of 1999 (pre-existing members): total 20% (5% employee + 12.5% employer + 2.5% government); private sector cap AED 50,000/month; public sector cap AED 300,000/month. ADPF (Abu Dhabi): New Active Members (from Dec 1, 2023) contribute 11% employee + 15% employer; In-Service Active Members contribute 5% employee + 15% employer. Contributions are due by the 15th of the following month; late payment penalty 0.1% per day from the 16th (applies to both UAE national and GCC national employees from July 1, 2025). An employee's regime is determined by when they first registered with GPSSA, not by when they joined a particular employer. Pensionable salary for government sector includes basic salary, cost of living allowance, social allowance for children, social allowance for citizen, and housing allowance. Private sector: full contractual salary including allowances.","employee_pct":"11 (new GPSSA/ADPF members from Oct/Dec 2023); 5 (pre-existing GPSSA/ADPF members under 1999 law)","employer_pct":"15 (new members under 2023 law); 12.5 (pre-existing GPSSA members under 1999 law) + 2.5% government subsidy for private sector employees earning below AED 20,000/month; 15 (ADPF, both new and in-service members)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Purchase of service years request must be submitted before end of service via the Ma'ashi digital platform","available":true,"benefit_per_year":"Each additional year of service adds 2.67% of pensionable salary to the annual pension (under 2023 law); rate increases by 4% per year beyond 30 years of service up to a maximum of 100% of salary","eligibility_conditions":"UAE nationals may purchase additional nominal service years through GPSSA to increase pension entitlement: under Law 7/1999, the insured must have completed 20 actual service years; under Law 57/2023, the insured must have completed 25 actual service years (or 15 years if aged 60). Males may purchase up to 5 additional years; females up to 10 additional years. Expatriates and UAE nationals may make voluntary contributions to the MoHRE EOSB Savings Scheme (up to 25% of total salary) or DEWS (DIFC employees). GPSSA's 'Wafra' programme (launched 2024, second phase July 2025) promotes proactive financial planning and savings culture among insured Emiratis, with 6,310 participants as of November 2025."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Service beyond 30 years increases pension by 4% per additional year up to a maximum of 100% of pensionable salary; service beyond 35 years triggers an additional lump sum gratuity of 3 months' pensionable salary per year above 35 years","early_reduction":"No explicit actuarial reduction published; early retirement (age 55 with 30 years under 2023 law; age 50 with 20 years under 1999 law) results in lower pension due to fewer years of accrual rather than a formal reduction factor"},"access_options":{"notes":"GPSSA/ADPF: Monthly pension (annuity) paid for life from day after termination of employment. Minimum monthly pension AED 10,000 (GPSSA guarantees shortfall). End-of-service gratuity (lump sum) paid where pension entitlement is not met (less than 15 years' service). Expatriates: End-of-service gratuity (EOSG) is a mandatory lump sum paid by employer within 14 days of termination; calculated at 21 days' basic salary per year for first 5 years, 30 days per year thereafter, capped at 2 years' total basic salary. DEWS/MoHRE EOSB Savings Scheme: DC lump sum or deferred investment; fully portable and payable on termination (employees may also keep the account active for continued investment). No personal income tax in UAE on any pension or gratuity income.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"EOSG paid automatically upon end of employment/departure with no restriction on remitting funds abroad. DEWS and MoHRE EOSB Savings Scheme funds are fully portable internationally. GPSSA/ADPF pension is paid monthly to pensioners regardless of country of residence; no restriction on payment abroad. For GCC nationals: pension paid according to home country law via GCC portability framework."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"No UAE tax on lump sum gratuity or pension payments. Tax treatment in the recipient's home country depends on that country's domestic law and any applicable DTA with the UAE.","special_tax_regimes":"UAE has no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. A 9% corporate tax applies to businesses (from June 2023) but does not affect individual pension income. VAT at 5% applies to goods and services but not to pension payments. The UK-UAE DTA was modified by the OECD Multilateral Instrument (MLI), effective from 1 January 2020, which introduced anti-abuse provisions. From April 2025, the UK abolished the remittance basis of taxation for non-domiciled individuals, replacing it with the Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime for Qualifying New Arrivals.","treaty_reduced_rate":"As of June 2025, the UAE has signed over 140 double taxation agreements (DTAs). The UAE does not impose withholding tax on pension payments. Under Article 17 of the UK-UAE DTA (in force from 25 December 2016, effective 1 January 2017), private pensions paid to UAE residents are taxable only in the UAE — where income tax is 0%. UK expats must apply for an NT code via HMRC Form DT-Individual supported by a UAE Tax Residency Certificate (AED 1,000 fee via EmaraTax portal; processing 12–16 weeks). UK government service pensions (NHS, civil servants, teachers, police, military) remain taxable in the UK regardless of UAE residence. The UK State Pension is paid to UAE residents but is frozen (no annual triple-lock increases) as the UAE has no reciprocal social security agreement with the UK. There is no US-UAE income tax treaty; US citizens must report worldwide income to the IRS regardless of UAE residence.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens and green card holders must report GPSSA pension and EOSG/DEWS benefits as foreign income on IRS Form 1040. FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) reporting may apply to UAE pension/savings accounts exceeding thresholds. The UAE has implemented a Model 1 IGA with the US under FATCA, requiring UAE financial institutions to report US account holder information to the UAE Federal Tax Authority for sharing with the IRS. No US-UAE totalization agreement exists; US self-employed workers in UAE still owe US FICA on net self-employment income.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"No distinction under UAE law — all pension and gratuity payments are tax-exempt in the UAE. Under some foreign DTAs (e.g. UK-UAE), government service pensions may be taxable only in the country of origin (UK) regardless of UAE residence.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"0% — UAE imposes no personal income tax; pension and gratuity payments are exempt from all taxes and fees under UAE law"},"indexation":{"notes":"UAE GPSSA/ADPF pensions are paid monthly to pensioners regardless of country of residence. There is no 'frozen pension' concept as in some countries — the pension amount is set at retirement based on the benefit formula and is not subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments linked to UAE inflation indices under current law. The Council of Ministers may amend the minimum pension according to inflation rates in the UAE or for any other reason. Pension amounts may be reviewed periodically by the GPSSA Board. EOSG and DEWS/savings scheme balances are not indexed post-payment. Note: UK State Pension paid to UAE residents IS frozen (no triple-lock increases) as the UAE has no reciprocal social security agreement with the UK.","method":"Defined benefit formula-based (2.67% per year of service × average pensionable salary over last 6 years); no statutory annual indexation mechanism published; minimum pension floor of AED 10,000/month may be adjusted by Council of Ministers","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"GPSSA pension is payable to pensioners living abroad with no geographic restriction. Service periods can be transferred between GPSSA, ADPF, and Sharjah SSF via Benefits Exchange through the Ma'ashi platform; a 10-year payment plan for merging service periods became available to all insured individuals from November 2025. UAE nationals working in other GCC countries can maintain GPSSA coverage under the GCC Insurance Protection Extension System. DEWS and MoHRE EOSB Savings Scheme funds are fully portable internationally and can be withdrawn or kept invested after leaving UAE employment. EOSG is paid as a lump sum with no restriction on international transfer. No QROPS-listed UAE schemes exist for UK pension transfers into UAE; most UK expats use international SIPPs for pension consolidation. ADGM employees from April 2025 may choose a savings plan alternative to gratuity under ADGM's own employment regulations."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"For GPSSA: Pension claims are initiated through the Ma'ashi digital platform (gpssa.gov.ae), launched October 2024, using UAE PASS authentication. Employers must notify GPSSA within 15 days of an employee's termination. The insured or their beneficiaries submit a pension/gratuity claim with required documents. GPSSA processes the claim and begins monthly pension payments from the day following termination. Agents and guardians can register and complete services on behalf of elderly members or minors. GPSSA also offers a Pension Advisory Service bookable via Ma'ashi for personalised retirement planning consultations. For ADPF: Claims submitted via the TAMM platform (tamm.abudhabi) or ADPF portal using UAE PASS (mandatory from March 17, 2025). For EOSG: Employer pays directly to employee within 14 days of contract end; disputes handled through MoHRE. For DEWS: Withdrawal requested via the DEWS portal (Zurich); payment made to nominated bank account (options include full withdrawal, partial withdrawal, or transfer/continued investment).","advance_timeline":"Employer must register new employees within 30 days of joining and notify termination within 15 days. Pension claims should be submitted promptly after end of service. For purchase of service years, request must be submitted before end of service via Ma'ashi.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (GPSSA publishes annual disbursement schedule; some months paid earlier to align with UAE public holidays)","required_documents":["Emirates ID (copy)","Family book (copy, required for GPSSA eligibility)","Insured Start Service Form","Appointment decision, self-procedure, or employment contract (government sector) or MoHRE-attested employment contract (private sector)","Health fitness certificate approved by a government agency","Certificate of receiving another pension (if applicable)","Certificate of employment with another party (if applicable)","UAE PASS account (for digital portal access)","Bank account details (must be accurate and updated in UAE PASS to avoid delays in pension disbursement)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"GPSSA Ma'ashi platform (gpssa.gov.ae) launched October 2024 and is accessible online internationally with UAE PASS authentication. ADPF portal (pension.gov.ae) requires UAE PASS login (mandatory from March 17, 2025). DEWS portal (Zurich) accessible online. UAE PASS is a national digital identity system; overseas access may require prior registration while in the UAE. Ma'ashi provides services to pensioners, beneficiaries, agents, and guardians, including issuing certificates and tracking request status.","proof_of_life_notes":"No specific proof-of-life requirement publicly documented for UAE GPSSA/ADPF pensions paid abroad. Pensioners are required to immediately report material changes such as marriage, divorce, death, employment, or enrollment in education via the Ma'ashi platform, as these directly affect pension entitlement. Beneficiaries' shares may be affected if UAE nationality is lost.","correspondence_language":"Arabic (primary); English available on GPSSA Ma'ashi platform and ADPF portal","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"GPSSA – General Pension and Social Security Authority (Federal/New Members, Law No. 57 of 2023)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory defined benefit scheme for UAE nationals first entering the workforce on or after October 31, 2023, employed in federal government, local governments (excluding Abu Dhabi and Sharjah government sector), and private sector across Dubai, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. Also covers GCC nationals working in the UAE. Pension calculated at 2.67% of average pensionable salary (last 6 years) per year of service. Minimum pension AED 10,000/month. Minimum retirement age 55 with 30 years of service; standard retirement age 60 with 15 years of service. If contribution period exceeds 35 years, a gratuity is paid at 3 months per year above 35 years. Insured Emiratis may purchase additional service years (up to 5 years for males, 10 years for females) after completing 25 actual service years, or 15 years if aged 60. GPSSA had 184,522 insured members and pension payouts of USD 708 million in Q1 2026.","officialUrl":"https://gpssa.gov.ae","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years minimum for pension entitlement at age 60; 30 years minimum for early retirement at age 55 (voluntary resignation)","contributionRateEmployee":"11% of pensionable salary (private sector cap AED 70,000/month; public sector cap AED 100,000/month)","contributionRateEmployer":"15% of pensionable salary (government contributes 2.5% on behalf of private sector employers for employees earning below AED 20,000/month)"},{"name":"GPSSA – General Pension and Social Security Authority (In-Service Members, Law No. 7 of 1999)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory defined benefit scheme for UAE nationals registered with GPSSA before October 31, 2023. Governed by Federal Law No. 7 of 1999 (as amended). Total contribution 20% of pensionable salary. Private sector salary cap AED 50,000/month; public sector cap AED 300,000/month. Pension entitlement at age 60 with 15 years of service, or early retirement at age 50 with 20 years of service. Insured Emiratis may purchase additional service years after completing 20 actual service years. An employee's regime is set by when they first registered with GPSSA — not by when they joined a particular company — so a 2026 hire with prior UAE service history may still sit under the 1999 law.","officialUrl":"https://gpssa.gov.ae","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years minimum for pension at age 60; 20 years for early retirement at age 50","contributionRateEmployee":"5% of pensionable salary","contributionRateEmployer":"12.5% of pensionable salary (government contributes 2.5% for private sector employees earning below AED 20,000/month)"},{"name":"Abu Dhabi Pension Fund (ADPF)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory defined benefit scheme for UAE nationals employed in government, semi-government, and private sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Governed by Abu Dhabi Law No. 2 of 2000 (as amended by Law No. 18 of 2023). New Active Members (joined on or after December 1, 2023) contribute 11% and employers contribute 15%. In-Service Active Members (registered before December 1, 2023) contribute 5% with employer rate unchanged at 15%. The minimum early retirement age is being phased in gradually at a rate of six months annually: as of December 2024 (second year of implementation), the minimum age for early retirement is 45 years and 6 months with 25 years of service, increasing each year until the full statutory threshold is reached. Entities headquartered in Abu Dhabi, including their branches in other parts of the UAE, are subject to ADPF rather than GPSSA.","officialUrl":"https://www.pension.gov.ae","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":"11% (New Active Members from Dec 1, 2023); 5% (In-Service Active Members)","contributionRateEmployer":"15% (both New Active Members and In-Service Active Members)"},{"name":"Sharjah Social Security Fund","type":"state","description":"Separate emirate-level pension fund covering Sharjah government sector employees. Governed by Sharjah Law No. 5 of 2018 regarding social security in the Emirate of Sharjah. Private sector Emirati employees in Sharjah are covered by GPSSA.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) Scheme","type":"occupational","description":"Mandatory funded defined contribution scheme for expatriate employees working in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), replacing traditional end-of-service gratuity from February 1, 2020. UAE and GCC nationals in DIFC remain under GPSSA but, following the March 2024 DIFC Employment Law amendment, employers must also make monthly top-up contributions for eligible UAE/GCC national employees where their GPSSA pension contribution falls short of the DEWS equivalent by at least AED 1,000. Administered by Equiom (Master Trustee), Zurich (Plan Administrator), and Mercer (Investment Adviser). Benefits accrue after 12 months of service; employees entitled to 100% of invested benefits on termination. As of October 2025, DEWS surpassed USD 1 billion in Assets under Administration, safeguarding the financial futures of close to 75,000 employees. Alternative Qualifying Schemes (e.g. GO SAVER by Sukoon/Franklin Templeton) are also permitted.","officialUrl":"https://www.difc.ae/business/operating/employee-workplace-savings/","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Benefits accrue after 12 months of service","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary contributions permitted","contributionRateEmployer":"5.83% of monthly basic salary for employees with under 5 years' service; 8.33% for employees with 5 or more years' service"},{"name":"MoHRE Voluntary Alternative End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB) Savings Scheme","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary alternative to traditional end-of-service gratuity for private sector employers and employees (including most free zones, excluding DIFC and ADGM), introduced by Cabinet Resolution No. 96 of 2023 (effective November 1, 2023). MoHRE issued updated implementation guidance in November 2025. Employers invest monthly contributions in SCA-approved investment funds. Approved providers as of 2025 include Ghaf Benefits, Daman Investments, National Bonds, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Employer contribution rates mirror traditional gratuity accrual: 5.83% of basic salary for employees with under 5 years' service; 8.33% for those with 5+ years. Employees may make additional voluntary contributions up to 25% of total salary. Funds are ring-fenced in SCA-regulated investment funds, fully portable and accessible upon termination. Participation is voluntary for employers but mandatory for enrolled employee categories. Employers commit to at least 12 months' participation. MoHRE has indicated the scheme may become compulsory in the future, though no date has been announced. Pre-enrolment gratuity accrued under the old system is preserved separately.","officialUrl":"https://www.mohre.gov.ae","vestingYears":1,"vestingPeriod":"Minimum 1 year of continuous service for entitlement","contributionRateEmployee":"Voluntary, up to 25% of total salary","contributionRateEmployer":"5.83% (under 5 years' service) or 8.33% (5+ years' service) of monthly basic salary"},{"name":"ADGM Employee Savings Scheme","type":"occupational","description":"From April 2025, employees working in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) may choose between the standard gratuity system or an ADGM-specific savings/pension plan alternative under ADGM's own Employment Regulations. The scheme is 'double voluntary' — companies can give employees the option to participate, and employees may sign up if they wish. If the savings plan is chosen, the lump sum gratuity does not apply. ADGM has its own regulatory framework separate from MoHRE's Cabinet Resolution 96 scheme.","officialUrl":"https://www.adgm.com","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"UAE National Bonds Golden Pension Plan","type":"occupational","description":"Optional savings and investment plan launched by UAE National Bonds in October 2022, targeting large private enterprises as an alternative to traditional end-of-service gratuity. Employers contribute lump-sum amounts or monthly deposits on behalf of employees. Funds are invested and portable. Open to both UAE nationals (as supplementary savings) and expatriates. National Bonds is also one of the approved providers under the MoHRE EOSB Savings Scheme.","officialUrl":"https://www.nationalbonds.ae","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["The UAE is a party to the GCC Insurance Protection Extension System (in force January 2006), which allows GCC nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) working in any GCC member state to remain covered by their home country's pension system. Employers in the UAE must register GCC national employees with GPSSA and pay contributions according to the employee's home country rates. From July 1, 2025, late or missed contributions for GCC national employees are subject to a 0.1% daily penalty.","UAE nationals working in other GCC countries can register with GPSSA for continued pension coverage via the GCC portability framework (gcc.uae@gpssa.gov.ae).","The UAE has no bilateral totalization agreement with the United States. US citizens in the UAE must continue paying US FICA on self-employment income and report UAE pension/savings benefits to the IRS. The UAE has implemented a Model 1 IGA with the US under FATCA.","The UK-UAE Double Taxation Agreement (in force from 25 December 2016, effective 1 January 2017, modified by OECD MLI from 1 January 2020) provides under Article 17 that private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence. As the UAE has no income tax, UK expats in UAE can receive UK private/occupational pension income effectively tax-free (subject to HMRC NT code via Form DT-Individual and UAE Tax Residency Certificate). UK government service pensions (NHS, civil servants, teachers, police, military) remain taxable in the UK regardless of UAE residence.","The UK State Pension is paid to UAE residents but is permanently frozen at the rate first claimed — no annual triple-lock increases apply, as the UAE has no reciprocal social security agreement with the UK. From April 2026, voluntary Class 2 NI contributions for most expats were abolished; the only option is Class 3 at £956.80/year (2026/27).","There are no UAE-based QROPS or ROPS listed by HMRC; UK pension transfers directly into UAE schemes are not possible. Most UK expats use international SIPPs for pension consolidation.","Expatriate (non-GCC national) workers are not covered by any UAE national pension scheme. Their only statutory retirement benefit is the end-of-service gratuity (EOSG), which is fully portable and payable upon departure with no restriction on international transfer.","DIFC employees (expatriates) are covered by the mandatory DEWS scheme instead of traditional EOSG. DEWS surpassed USD 1 billion in Assets under Administration in October 2025, covering close to 75,000 employees. From March 2024, DIFC employers must also pay DEWS top-up contributions for UAE/GCC national employees where GPSSA contributions fall short of DEWS equivalent by at least AED 1,000.","The MoHRE voluntary EOSB Savings Scheme (Cabinet Resolution No. 96 of 2023) is available to private sector employers and employees including most free zones (excluding DIFC and ADGM). MoHRE issued updated implementation guidance in November 2025. Approved providers include Ghaf Benefits, Daman Investments, National Bonds, and First Abu Dhabi Bank. MoHRE has indicated the scheme may become compulsory in the future.","From April 2025, ADGM employees may choose between the standard gratuity system or an ADGM-specific savings/pension plan alternative under ADGM's own Employment Regulations (separate from the MoHRE scheme).","UAE pension contributions and benefits are exempt from all UAE taxes and fees under federal law. The UAE does not impose withholding tax on pension or gratuity payments to non-residents. As of June 2025, the UAE has signed over 140 double taxation agreements.","Service periods between GPSSA, ADPF, and Sharjah SSF can be merged via a Benefits Exchange process through the Ma'ashi platform. From November 2025, a 10-year payment plan for merging service periods is available to all insured individuals, allowing Emiratis who move between emirates to consolidate their pension records."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Establish which system covered you","detail":"GPSSA covers UAE nationals federally, with separate funds in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Expatriate employees are not in it — their entitlement is the end-of-service gratuity from the employer, plus any workplace savings scheme."},{"n":2,"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/member/login","title":"Nationals: sign in to Ma'ashi","detail":"The Ma'ashi digital platform, launched in 2024, is where contribution records and pension claims are handled."},{"n":3,"url":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en/services","title":"Nationals: check your contribution record and service years","detail":"Employers must notify GPSSA within days of a termination, so a gap often traces to an employer that failed to report."},{"n":4,"title":"Expatriates: check for a workplace savings scheme","detail":"If you worked in the DIFC, your employer was required to enrol you in a funded scheme (DEWS or an approved alternative) rather than accruing gratuity on the books. That is a real account with a balance and a provider — and it is easy to leave behind."},{"n":5,"title":"Collect the evidence you actually have","detail":"For a gratuity claim, the documents are the contract, the salary certificate and the final settlement. Keep them: there is no central authority holding a record for you."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You were an expatriate employee, so the pension authority has no record of you","whatToDo":"That is the expected answer, not a lost record. Your entitlement is the end-of-service gratuity your employer owes, calculated from your basic salary and length of service under the labour law. Your employment contract and final settlement are the documents, and PensionChart's free Gulf gratuity calculator will show you what the statutory formula produces."},{"symptom":"You worked in a free zone and are unsure which rules applied","whatToDo":"DIFC and ADGM have their own employment regimes, and DIFC replaced accrued gratuity with a funded scheme in 2020. Check which zone your employer was registered in before assuming the federal rule applied."},{"symptom":"Your employer never paid the gratuity","whatToDo":"The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation handles labour complaints, and free-zone authorities have their own channels. Claims are time-limited, so act rather than wait."}],"portalUrl":"https://gpssa.gov.ae/pages/en","portalName":"GPSSA — Ma'ashi","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Whether you are a UAE or GCC national, or an expatriate employee — this decides which document exists for you.","For nationals: a UAE PASS digital identity, which is what the Ma'ashi platform authenticates against.","For expatriates: your employment contracts, basic-salary history and joining and leaving dates. Gratuity is calculated on basic salary, not total package, which is where most disputes start."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether GPSSA issues a contribution statement to a former member living outside the UAE without UAE PASS.","documentNameLocal":"GPSSA contribution statement (Ma'ashi)","documentNameEnglish":"Pension contribution statement / end-of-service settlement"}},{"country":"United Kingdom","country_code":"GB","continent":"europe","currency":"GBP (£)","retirement_age_early":null,"retirement_age_full":66,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"The United Kingdom operates a multi-pillar pension system combining a flat-rate mandatory State Pension (Pillar 1) with quasi-mandatory workplace pensions under auto-enrolment (Pillar 2) and voluntary personal pensions (Pillar 3). The New State Pension, introduced on 6 April 2016, replaced the previous Basic State Pension and Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P) for those reaching State Pension age from that date. It is funded through National Insurance (NI) contributions and provides a flat-rate weekly payment — £241.30 per week (£12,547.60/year) for 2026/27, a 4.8% increase driven by average earnings growth under the triple lock — to those with 35 qualifying NI years. A minimum of 10 qualifying years is required for any entitlement. The State Pension age is currently transitioning from 66 to 67 in a phased increase between May 2026 and April 2028 (affecting those born on or after 6 April 1960), with a further legislated rise to 68 between 2044–2046. A third government review of the State Pension age timetable was launched in July 2025, with its final report expected to shape policy later in the 2020s.\n\nWorkplace pensions are governed by auto-enrolment legislation introduced in 2012, requiring employers to automatically enrol eligible employees (aged 22–State Pension age, earning over £10,000/year) into a qualifying pension scheme. Minimum total contributions are 8% of qualifying earnings (between £6,240 and £50,270 for 2026/27), split as at least 3% from the employer and 5% from the employee (including tax relief). These rates have been unchanged since April 2019. The Second Pensions Commission (established July 2025) published an interim report in May 2026 confirming that approximately 15 million working-age people are undersaving for retirement; its final report, due in early 2027, is expected to recommend raising minimum contributions from 8% to 12%. Defined Contribution (DC) schemes now dominate the workplace pension landscape, with Defined Benefit (DB) schemes largely closed to new entrants in the private sector.\n\nPrivate pensions, including Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), offer the widest investment flexibility and are accessible from age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028). Up to 25% of a pension pot can be taken as a tax-free Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS), capped at £268,275 across all pensions (the Lump Sum Allowance, introduced when the Lifetime Allowance was abolished in April 2024). A major forthcoming change: from 6 April 2027, most unspent DC pension pots will be brought into the deceased's estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes at 40% above nil-rate bands — reversing a long-standing IHT exemption. From 6 April 2026, voluntary Class 2 NI contributions for periods abroad were abolished; only Class 3 (£18.40/week in 2026/27) is now available for overseas residents, with tightened eligibility requiring 10 years of UK residence or NI contributions for new applicants.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension","name":"Check Your State Pension Forecast"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/get-state-pension","name":"Get Your State Pension (Claim Online)"},{"url":"https://www.manage-state-pension.service.gov.uk/","name":"Manage Your State Pension"},{"url":"https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/ipc/personal-details","name":"International Pension Centre Online Enquiry"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad","name":"State Pension if You Retire Abroad (GOV.UK)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-state-pension-if-you-live-abroad","name":"Claim State Pension if You Live Abroad (Forms IPCBR1NSP/IPCBR1)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-when-abroad-cf83","name":"Apply for Voluntary NI Contributions Abroad (CF83)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-for-periods-spent-abroad-from-6-april-2026/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-abroad-from-6-april-2026","name":"Voluntary NI Contributions Abroad from 6 April 2026 (GOV.UK Policy Paper)"},{"url":"https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/","name":"HMRC Personal Tax Account"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record","name":"Check Your National Insurance Record"},{"url":"https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement","name":"MoneyHelper – Pensions & Retirement"},{"url":"https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/pension-wise","name":"Pension Wise (Free Guidance for DC Pension Holders 50+)"},{"url":"https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en","name":"The Pensions Regulator"},{"url":"https://maps.org.uk/en","name":"Money and Pensions Service (MAPS)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reciprocal-agreements","name":"GOV.UK Reciprocal Social Security Agreements"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-treaties","name":"HMRC Double Taxation Agreements"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claim-relief-from-double-taxation","name":"Claim Double Taxation Treaty Relief (Form DT-Individual)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-national-insurance-contributions/rates-and-allowances-national-insurance-contributions","name":"NI Rates and Allowances (GOV.UK)"},{"url":"https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age","name":"State Pension Age Calculator (GOV.UK)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/gb/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-03","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/gb","system_type":"Beveridge-influenced multi-pillar system: flat-rate contributory State Pension (Pillar 1), quasi-mandatory auto-enrolled workplace pensions (Pillar 2), and voluntary personal pensions/SIPPs (Pillar 3)","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1: New State Pension (flat-rate, NI-contribution-based, mandatory public scheme); Pillar 2: Occupational/workplace pensions — Defined Benefit (DB, largely closed to new entrants) and Defined Contribution (DC) under auto-enrolment; Pillar 3: Personal pensions (SIPPs, stakeholder pensions, annuities, Lifetime ISAs)","replacement_rate_gross":"~28% (State Pension only, average earner); ~52% including mandatory workplace pensions (OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025); net replacement rate ~54.4% from mandatory schemes (below OECD average of 63%)","min_qualifying_period":"10 qualifying NI years for any New State Pension entitlement; 35 qualifying years for full New State Pension (£241.30/week in 2026/27). Qualifying years include: paid Class 1/2/4 NI contributions, NI credits (e.g., for child benefit, unemployment, caring responsibilities), and voluntary Class 2/3 contributions.","min_qualifying_partial":"10 qualifying years (minimum threshold); proportional pension paid for 10–34 years (each year adds approximately £6.89/week in 2026/27)","aggregation_rules":"Under bilateral social security agreements and EU/EEA coordination rules, contribution periods from partner countries can be aggregated with UK NI years to meet the 10-year minimum qualifying threshold. However, each country pays its own portion based solely on its own contribution record — the UK pays only the UK-earned portion, not a combined pension. Aggregated years cannot increase the UK pension above the full rate.","totalization_partners":["Austria","Barbados","Belgium","Bermuda","Bosnia-Herzegovina","Bulgaria","Canada","Chile","Croatia","Cyprus","Czech Republic","Denmark","Estonia","Finland","France","Germany","Gibraltar","Greece","Guernsey","Hungary","Iceland","Ireland","Isle of Man","Israel","Italy","Jamaica","Japan","Jersey","Latvia","Liechtenstein","Lithuania","Luxembourg","Malta","Mauritius","Montenegro","Netherlands","New Zealand","North Macedonia","Norway","Philippines","Poland","Portugal","Romania","Serbia","Slovakia","Slovenia","South Korea","Spain","Sweden","Switzerland","Turkey","United States"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Employer NI rate 15% and secondary threshold £5,000 are unchanged from 2025/26 (when the rate rose from 13.8% and threshold fell from £9,100). Auto-enrolment thresholds maintained for 2026/27: earnings trigger £10,000; lower earnings limit £6,240; upper earnings limit £50,270. Total minimum contribution remains 8% (3% employer + 5% employee including tax relief), unchanged since April 2019. The Second Pensions Commission is expected to recommend raising minimum contributions to 12% in its final report (due early 2027). Voluntary Class 3 NI for overseas residents: £18.40/week (£956.80/year) for 2026/27, up from £17.75/week (£923/year) in 2025/26. From 6 April 2026, voluntary Class 2 NI for periods abroad is abolished; only Class 3 available for overseas residents, with tightened eligibility (10 years UK residence or NI contributions required for new applicants).","employee_pct":"8% (Class 1 NI on earnings £12,571–£50,270; 2% above £50,270) for State Pension purposes. For auto-enrolment workplace pension: minimum 5% of qualifying earnings (including tax relief)","employer_pct":"15% (Class 1 NI on earnings above £5,000) for State Pension purposes, unchanged from 2025/26. For auto-enrolment workplace pension: minimum 3% of qualifying earnings","self_employed_pct":"Class 4 NI: 6% on profits £12,570–£50,270; 2% above £50,270. Compulsory Class 2 abolished from April 2024; voluntary Class 2 at £3.65/week (2026/27) still available for self-employed below Small Profits Threshold (£7,105 in 2026/27) who wish to protect State Pension record"},"voluntary_contributions":{"deadline":"Normally within 6 tax years of the gap year (e.g., in 2026/27, can buy back to 2020/21). Extended transitional window to buy years back to 2006/07 closed 5 April 2025. For overseas residents: existing Class 2 payers must apply to switch to Class 3 before 6 April 2027 to benefit from transitional rules (avoiding the new 10-year eligibility requirement).","available":true,"annual_cost":"Class 3 (standard voluntary, the only option for overseas periods from 2026/27): £18.40/week = £956.80/year (2026/27), up from £17.75/week = £923/year (2025/26). Class 2 (lower-cost, for eligible self-employed overseas workers under a Social Security Agreement, and volunteer development workers only): £3.65/week = £189.80/year (2026/27) — Class 2 for general overseas periods abolished from 6 April 2026.","benefit_per_year":"Each additional qualifying year adds approximately £6.89/week (£358/year) to the New State Pension in 2026/27. At Class 3 rates of £956.80/year, the break-even point is approximately 2.7 years of pension receipt.","eligibility_conditions":"UK residents: any individual with gaps in their NI record, generally within the last 6 tax years. Overseas residents (from 6 April 2026 onwards, new applicants): must have either 10 years of continuous UK residence OR 10 qualifying years of UK NI contributions (excluding voluntary Class 2/3 paid from abroad, except under a Social Security Agreement or as a volunteer development worker). Existing Class 2/3 overseas payers are grandfathered under transitional rules if they apply for Class 3 before 6 April 2027. Apply via form CF83."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"State Pension: approximately 5.8% increase per year of deferral (1% per 9 weeks deferred; minimum 9-week deferral required; no lump-sum option for those reaching SPA on/after 6 April 2016). On the 2026/27 full rate of £241.30/week, one year of deferral adds approximately £13.99/week (£728/year) for life. Private pensions: no statutory bonus; benefit is continued investment growth (drawdown) or improved annuity rates due to shorter life expectancy.","early_reduction":"State Pension: No early access — cannot be claimed before State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 by April 2028). Private/workplace DC pensions: accessible from age 55 (57 from April 2028); no statutory reduction but earlier access reduces the invested pot. DB schemes: typically 3–7% per annum actuarial reduction for early retirement before Normal Pension Age."},"access_options":{"notes":"DC pensions (SIPPs, workplace DC): from age 55 (57 from April 2028), up to 25% can be taken as a tax-free Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS), capped at £268,275 (Lump Sum Allowance) across all pensions — unchanged for 2026/27. Remaining 75% taxed as income at marginal rate. Options include: flexi-access drawdown, lifetime annuity, Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sum (UFPLS — each withdrawal 25% tax-free/75% taxable), or a combination. UFPLS triggers the £10,000 MPAA; PCLS alone does not. DB pensions: typically provide guaranteed income; lump sum via commutation (giving up annual pension for a one-off payment, typically at 12:1 commutation factor for public sector schemes). State Pension: paid as regular income only — no lump sum option. Annual allowance: £60,000 standard (2026/27); tapered to minimum £10,000 for adjusted income above £260,000; MPAA of £10,000 once flexible DC access triggered. IMPORTANT: From 6 April 2027, unspent DC pension pots (SIPPs, workplace DC, personal pensions) will be included in the deceased's estate for Inheritance Tax at 40% above nil-rate bands — the biggest UK pension tax change in a decade.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"State Pension: fully portable to any country; paid to overseas bank account (IBAN/BIC required). Indexation frozen in non-agreement countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa). Private DC pensions: can transfer to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) — a 25% Overseas Transfer Charge applies unless an exemption is met (e.g., member and QROPS in same country). Since 30 October 2024, EEA/Gibraltar QROPS no longer exempt from the charge for UK or EEA residents. The Overseas Transfer Allowance equals the Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (£1,073,100); transfers above this attract an additional 25% charge. DB pensions: generally cannot transfer to QROPS; regulated financial advice required for transfers over £30,000."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"UK PCLS (25% tax-free lump sum) is exempt from UK income tax up to £268,275 (Lump Sum Allowance, 2026/27). However, it may be taxable in the country of residence — DTA provisions for lump sums vary significantly. Under the US-UK treaty (Article 17), lump sums are generally assigned to the source country (UK), but the US savings clause means US citizens may still owe US tax on UK lump sums. The IRS does not recognise the UK's 25% tax-free treatment.","special_tax_regimes":"Non-domicile (non-dom) tax status abolished from 6 April 2025. Replaced by a new residence-based Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: individuals resident in the UK for more than 4 tax years are taxed on worldwide income. Transitional arrangements apply for former non-doms. Scotland has devolved income tax rates (different bands from rest of UK) which affect pension income taxation for Scottish residents. From 6 April 2027, unspent DC pension pots will be subject to Inheritance Tax at 40% above nil-rate bands (£325,000 single; up to £1,000,000 for couples passing on a family home to direct descendants). Spousal transfers remain IHT-exempt. Pension scheme administrators will handle IHT payments directly in most cases.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Varies by DTA. Under most OECD-model treaties, pension income is taxable only in the country of residence (0% UK withholding with NT code). Some treaties assign taxing rights to the UK (source country). Country-specific forms required for: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, and others.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US persons with UK pensions must: (1) Report all UK pension income on Form 1040 (lines 5a/5b for State Pension; Schedule B for private pensions); (2) File FBAR (FinCEN 114) if aggregate foreign account balances exceed $10,000; (3) File Form 8938 (FATCA) if thresholds met; (4) SIPPs and some workplace pensions may be treated as foreign trusts requiring Forms 3520/3520-A; (5) Use Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit) to offset UK taxes paid and avoid double taxation; (6) Article 18 of the US-UK treaty provides that earnings inside qualifying UK pension schemes are generally not taxed by the US until distribution.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"Yes. Government service pensions (paid to former civil servants, military, teachers, NHS, police, etc.) are generally taxable only in the UK under most DTAs, regardless of where the recipient lives. Private/occupational pensions are typically taxable only in the country of residence under OECD-model treaties. This distinction is critical for cross-border tax planning.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"State Pension: paid gross (no UK withholding); taxable as income in UK if above personal allowance (£12,570 in 2026/27), but non-residents may claim treaty relief. Private/occupational pensions: default 20% basic rate PAYE withholding unless an NT (nil tax) code is obtained via Form DT-Individual (or country-specific form) under a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA)."},"indexation":{"notes":"State Pension is uprated annually (triple lock) only where there is a legal obligation: (1) UK residents; (2) EU/EEA countries and Switzerland (covered by Withdrawal Agreement for those resident by 31 Dec 2020, and by EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement for those moving after 1 Jan 2021); (3) Countries with bilateral social security agreements that include an uprating provision (e.g., US, Barbados, Bermuda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Israel, Jamaica, Jersey, Mauritius, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Philippines, Serbia, Turkey). Pensioners in all other countries (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, India) receive a 'frozen' pension — fixed at the rate when first claimed or when they left the UK, whichever is later. Approximately 450,000–500,000 UK pensioners are affected by frozen pensions. The UK government has stated it has no plans to change this policy.","method":"Triple lock: annual increase is the highest of (1) CPI inflation (September of prior year), (2) average earnings growth (May–July of prior year), or (3) 2.5% floor. For 2026/27: 4.8% increase (earnings-driven; CPI was 3.8%, earnings growth was 4.8%). For 2025/26: 4.1% increase (earnings-driven). Private pensions: indexed per scheme rules — typically CPI, RPI, or fixed increases for DB schemes; DC schemes depend on investment performance.","abroad_status":"conditional"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"State Pension: fully portable to any country; paid directly to overseas bank account (IBAN/BIC required). No transfer of NI record possible — the UK pays its own portion based on UK contributions only. Private DC pensions: can transfer to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) in another country; a 25% Overseas Transfer Charge applies unless an exemption is met (e.g., member and QROPS in same country, employer-sponsored scheme, public sector scheme). Since 30 October 2024, EEA/Gibraltar QROPS no longer exempt for UK or EEA residents. Transfers above the Overseas Transfer Allowance (£1,073,100) attract an additional 25% charge. From 6 April 2026, EEA-based QROPS must additionally be regulated by their country's pension regulator and have a DTA or TIEA with the UK. DB pensions: transfers to QROPS generally not permitted; regulated financial advice mandatory for transfers over £30,000. Pension contributions in the UK attract tax relief; this relief is not portable — contributions made after leaving the UK receive no UK tax relief unless the individual has UK-source earnings."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"State Pension is not paid automatically — it must be claimed. The DWP typically writes to individuals approximately 4 months before their State Pension age with information on how to claim. Claims can be made online (gov.uk/get-state-pension), by phone (+44 191 218 7777), or by post using form IPCBR1NSP (for those reaching SPA on/after 6 April 2016) or IPCBR1 (pre-2016). For overseas claimants, the International Pension Centre (IPC) handles all claims. Claimants must also complete a country-specific payment form (IPC1394) to specify their overseas bank account. Processing can take several months; follow-up by phone is advisable if no response within 2 months. Once approved, pension is paid every 4 weeks (standard) or every 13 weeks (overseas option) directly to a UK or overseas bank account.","advance_timeline":"4 months before State Pension age","payment_frequency":"Every 4 weeks (standard, paid on Fridays or next working day) or every 13 weeks (overseas option). Overseas bank transfers typically take 2–5 working days. Payments processed via a US company — may be delayed by one day around US federal holidays.","required_documents":["Valid passport or national ID","Proof of UK National Insurance number (NI card, P60, or HMRC letter)","Birth certificate","Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)","Divorce decree or dissolution order (if claiming on ex-spouse's NI record)","Proof of overseas address (utility bill or bank statement, less than 3 months old)","Employment history (dates, employer names, addresses — UK and overseas)","Records of work/contributions in other countries (if claiming under totalization agreement)","Overseas bank account details (IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code)","Death certificate of spouse/civil partner (if claiming inherited State Pension)","NI contribution proof if self-employed (SA302 or HMRC NI record)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"Gov.uk online claim portal, HMRC Personal Tax Account, and State Pension forecast checker are all fully accessible from abroad with no geographic IP restrictions. A Government Gateway account is required. The International Pension Centre online enquiry form is also accessible globally.","proof_of_life_notes":"DWP sends life certificates automatically to overseas pensioners. Frequency varies by country — typically annual. Failure to return the certificate results in pension suspension. Reinstatement after providing proof can take 6–12 weeks. Some countries have specific IPC1394 life certificate forms.","international_contact":{"email":"Via online enquiry form at gov.uk/international-pension-centre","hours":"Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time","phone":"+44 (0) 191 218 7777","postal_address":"International Pension Centre, Tyneview Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1BA, United Kingdom"},"proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"English (all official DWP/IPC correspondence is in English only)","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"New State Pension","type":"state","description":"Introduced 6 April 2016 for those reaching State Pension age on or after that date. Flat-rate, NI-contribution-based pension. Full rate: £241.30/week (£12,547.60/year) for 2026/27, up 4.8% from £230.25 in 2025/26 (earnings-driven triple lock). Indexed annually under the triple lock (highest of CPI, average earnings growth, or 2.5%). State Pension age currently 66, rising to 67 in a phased transition between May 2026 and April 2028 (affecting those born on or after 6 April 1960), and legislated to rise to 68 between 2044–2046. A third government review of the SPA timetable was launched in July 2025. Must be claimed — not paid automatically.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension","vestingYears":35,"vestingPeriod":"35 qualifying NI years for full pension; minimum 10 qualifying years for any entitlement; proportional entitlement between 10 and 35 years (each year adds ~£6.89/week in 2026/27)","contributionRateEmployee":"8% Class 1 NI on earnings £12,571–£50,270; 2% above £50,270 (2026/27)","contributionRateEmployer":"15% Class 1 NI on earnings above £5,000 (2026/27, unchanged from 2025/26)"},{"name":"Basic State Pension (pre-2016)","type":"state","description":"Applies to those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. Full rate: £184.90/week (£9,614.80/year) for 2026/27, up 4.8% from £176.45 in 2025/26. Requires 30 qualifying NI years for full entitlement. May be supplemented by Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P). Indexed under the same triple lock as the New State Pension.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.uk/state-pension","vestingYears":30,"vestingPeriod":"30 qualifying NI years for full amount; at least 1 qualifying year for any entitlement; pro-rata for fewer than 30 years","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Defined Contribution (DC) Occupational Pension / Auto-Enrolment","type":"occupational","description":"Dominant form of workplace pension under auto-enrolment (mandatory since 2012). Employers must auto-enrol eligible employees (aged 22–SPA, earning £10,000+/year). Minimum total contribution: 8% of qualifying earnings (£6,240–£50,270 band in 2026/27), unchanged since April 2019. Employee contributes minimum 5% (including 20% tax relief; employee pays 4% net); employer contributes minimum 3%. The Second Pensions Commission (interim report May 2026) has identified that 15 million working-age people are undersaving and is expected to recommend raising minimum contributions to 12% in its final report (due early 2027). Contributions attract income tax relief at the individual's marginal rate. Pension pot accessible from age 55 (rising to 57 from 6 April 2028). Up to 25% can be taken as a tax-free lump sum (PCLS), capped at £268,275 (Lump Sum Allowance) across all pensions. From 6 April 2027, unspent DC pots will be subject to Inheritance Tax at 40% above nil-rate bands.","officialUrl":"https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Immediate — contributions are the employee's own from day one","contributionRateEmployee":"5% of qualifying earnings (including 1% tax relief; employee pays 4% net)","contributionRateEmployer":"3% of qualifying earnings (minimum)"},{"name":"Defined Benefit (DB) Occupational Pension","type":"occupational","description":"Provides a guaranteed income in retirement based on salary and years of service (final salary or career average). Largely closed to new entrants in the private sector; still common in the public sector (NHS, teachers, civil service, armed forces). Benefits typically indexed to CPI or RPI in payment. Transfers out of DB schemes to DC are possible but require regulated financial advice for pots over £30,000 and are generally discouraged. Access from age 55 (57 from 2028) subject to scheme rules. DB pensions (paid as dependants' annuities) are generally unaffected by the April 2027 IHT changes; only lump-sum death benefits may be caught.","officialUrl":"https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/pension-savers/db-pensions","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Varies by scheme; typically 2 years for deferred benefits under auto-enrolment rules","contributionRateEmployee":"Varies by scheme (typically 5–9% for public sector schemes)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by scheme (typically 15–25%+ for public sector schemes)"},{"name":"Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)","type":"private","description":"A personal pension with the widest investment choice (stocks, bonds, commercial property, funds, ETFs, etc.). Contributions attract income tax relief at the individual's marginal rate (20%, 40%, or 45%). Annual allowance: £60,000 (or 100% of earnings, whichever is lower) for 2026/27; tapered to a minimum of £10,000 for those with adjusted income above £260,000. Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) of £10,000 applies once flexible access is triggered. Access from age 55 (rising to 57 from 6 April 2028). Up to 25% tax-free lump sum (PCLS) capped at £268,275 (Lump Sum Allowance) across all pensions. Remaining 75% taxed as income at marginal rate on withdrawal. From 6 April 2027, unspent SIPP funds will be subject to Inheritance Tax at 40% above nil-rate bands — a major change announced at Autumn Budget 2024.","officialUrl":"https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-your-private-pension","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting requirement — contributions are the individual's own immediately","contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 in a phased transition between May 2026 and April 2028, affecting those born on or after 6 April 1960. Those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 have a transitional SPA between 66 and 67; those born on or after 6 March 1961 will have SPA of 67. A further rise to 68 is legislated for 2044–2046 (those born from ~1977 onwards), though a third government review launched in July 2025 may alter this timetable.","From 6 April 2026, voluntary Class 2 NI contributions for periods abroad are abolished. Only Class 3 (£18.40/week = £956.80/year in 2026/27) is available for overseas residents. New applicants must have 10 years of continuous UK residence OR 10 qualifying years of UK NI contributions. Existing Class 2 payers have transitional rights to switch to Class 3 without meeting the new 10-year rule if they apply before 6 April 2027. HMRC is writing to affected individuals in July 2026.","The 'frozen pension' policy affects approximately 450,000–500,000 UK pensioners in countries without uprating agreements (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, India). Pensions are fixed at the rate when first claimed and receive no annual increases.","State Pension is uprated abroad only in: EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, Gibraltar, and countries with bilateral social security agreements that include uprating provisions (US, Barbados, Bermuda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Israel, Jamaica, Jersey, Mauritius, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Philippines, Serbia, Turkey).","Non-residents receiving UK private/occupational pensions are subject to 20% basic rate PAYE withholding by default. An NT (nil tax) code can be obtained via Form DT-Individual (or country-specific form) under a Double Taxation Agreement to receive pension gross.","Government service pensions (civil service, military, NHS, teachers, police) are generally taxable only in the UK under most DTAs, regardless of the recipient's country of residence — unlike private pensions which are typically taxable only in the country of residence.","The UK's 25% tax-free pension lump sum (PCLS, capped at £268,275 Lump Sum Allowance) is exempt from UK income tax but may be taxable in the recipient's country of residence. The IRS does not recognise the UK's tax-free treatment — US persons may owe US tax on the PCLS.","US persons with UK pensions must report all pension income on Form 1040, file FBAR if applicable, and may need Forms 8938, 3520/3520-A for SIPPs. The US-UK tax treaty (Article 17/18) provides relief but does not eliminate US reporting obligations.","Private DC pensions can be transferred to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). A 25% Overseas Transfer Charge applies unless an exemption is met. Since 30 October 2024, EEA/Gibraltar QROPS no longer exempt for UK or EEA residents. From 6 April 2026, EEA QROPS must additionally be regulated by their country's pension regulator and have a DTA or TIEA with the UK. The Overseas Transfer Allowance is £1,073,100.","MAJOR CHANGE FROM 6 APRIL 2027: Unspent DC pension pots (SIPPs, workplace DC, personal pensions) will be included in the deceased's estate for Inheritance Tax at 40% above nil-rate bands. This reverses a long-standing IHT exemption and is the biggest UK pension tax change in a decade. Spousal transfers remain IHT-exempt. DB pensions paid as dependants' annuities are generally unaffected. Pension scheme administrators will handle IHT payments directly.","The non-domicile (non-dom) tax regime was abolished from 6 April 2025. A new residence-based Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime applies, with individuals taxed on worldwide income after 4 years of UK residence.","Employer NI rate remains at 15% (unchanged from 2025/26 when it rose from 13.8%) with secondary threshold at £5,000 — significantly increasing the cost of employment in the UK.","Auto-enrolment thresholds maintained for 2026/27: earnings trigger £10,000; lower earnings limit £6,240; upper earnings limit £50,270. Total minimum contribution remains 8% (3% employer + 5% employee including tax relief). The Second Pensions Commission (interim report May 2026) is expected to recommend raising minimum contributions to 12% in its final report due early 2027.","The Second Pensions Commission (established July 2025) published its interim report in May 2026, confirming approximately 15 million working-age people are undersaving for retirement. Its final report (due early 2027) is expected to recommend significant reforms to auto-enrolment, including raising minimum contributions and potentially extending coverage to the self-employed."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension","title":"Go to the State Pension forecast service","detail":"This tells you what you are on track to receive, at what age, and how many qualifying years you currently have."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in or create a GOV.UK One Login","detail":"Identity verification usually needs a UK passport or UK driving licence. This is the step most likely to block someone who has been abroad a long time."},{"n":3,"title":"Read your forecast","detail":"Note two separate figures: the amount based on your record so far, and the amount if you keep contributing to State Pension age. They are not the same, and the difference is the whole point."},{"n":4,"url":"https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record","title":"Check your National Insurance record","detail":"This lists every year as full, partial or gap. Gaps are what voluntary Class 2 or Class 3 contributions could fill — often the single highest-return action available to a UK expat."},{"n":5,"title":"If you can't get online, request it by post","detail":"Form BR19 gets you a State Pension forecast by post, and there is an international version for people living outside the UK. Allow several weeks."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"Identity verification fails because you have no current UK passport or licence","whatToDo":"Use the postal BR19 route, or contact the International Pension Centre. Do not pay a third-party site that offers to 'retrieve' the forecast for you — the official route is free."},{"symptom":"The service asks for a UK mobile number you no longer have","whatToDo":"GOV.UK One Login supports an authenticator app as an alternative to SMS. Set that up before travelling if you can."},{"symptom":"Your record shows gaps for years you were working abroad","whatToDo":"That is expected — working abroad does not automatically build UK NI. Those are exactly the years voluntary contributions may cover, subject to deadlines."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension","portalName":"GOV.UK — Check your State Pension forecast","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your National Insurance number (format: two letters, six digits, one letter).","A GOV.UK One Login, or the older Government Gateway credentials if you still have them.","An identity document for verification — typically a UK passport or UK driving licence."],"couldNotVerify":"Deadlines for filling historic National Insurance gaps have been extended more than once and are time-limited; treat any deadline you read anywhere, including here, as needing confirmation against GOV.UK before you rely on it.","documentNameLocal":"State Pension forecast","documentNameEnglish":"State Pension forecast (and National Insurance record)"}},{"country":"United States","country_code":"US","continent":"americas","currency":"USD","retirement_age_early":62,"retirement_age_full":67,"retirement_age_max":70,"pension_system_summary":"The United States operates a three-pillar hybrid public-private retirement system. The first pillar is Social Security (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance — OASDI), a mandatory pay-as-you-go defined benefit program established by the Social Security Act of 1935 (42 U.S.C. Chapter 7), governed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), an independent federal agency. Workers earn up to four credits per year ($1,890 per credit in 2026; $7,560 for the annual maximum of four credits) and need 40 credits (approximately 10 years of covered work) to qualify for retirement benefits. Benefits are calculated using the highest 35 years of indexed earnings and are adjusted annually by a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) tied to the CPI-W; the 2026 COLA is 2.8%. The Social Security Fairness Act (P.L. 118-273), signed January 5, 2025, repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), restoring full benefits retroactive to January 2024 for approximately 3.2 million affected beneficiaries; SSA completed $17 billion in retroactive payments to 3.1 million beneficiaries by July 7, 2025. The full retirement age (FRA) reached its final scheduled level of 67 in 2026 for all workers born in 1960 or later, completing the phase-in begun under the 1983 Social Security Amendments.\n\nThe second pillar consists of employer-sponsored plans. Private-sector workers primarily use defined contribution plans such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans (2026 employee deferral limit: $24,500; combined employee+employer limit: $72,000). Federal civilian employees hired after December 31, 1983 are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a three-tier system combining a basic defined benefit annuity, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency match. Employees hired before 1984 who did not switch are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), a standalone defined benefit plan not integrated with Social Security. The SECURE 2.0 Act (2022) raised the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age to 73 and introduced enhanced catch-up contribution provisions for ages 60–63 ($11,250 in 2026). The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) introduced a temporary $6,000 senior deduction for individuals aged 65+ (for tax years 2025–2028) and made permanent various TCJA tax provisions, but did not directly alter Social Security benefit taxation rules or retirement plan contribution limits; the FERS annuity supplement elimination provision was removed by the Senate before final enactment.\n\nThe third pillar is individual voluntary savings through Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. For 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500 (under 50) / $8,600 (50+), up from $7,000/$8,000 in 2025. The US has 30 active totalization agreements preventing dual Social Security taxation for workers dividing careers between the US and partner countries. Social Security is payable to most countries worldwide, with payments indexed to US CPI-W regardless of the beneficiary's country of residence.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/","name":"Social Security Administration Main Website"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/","name":"my Social Security Account"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/","name":"SSA International Programs"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html","name":"Payments Abroad Screening Tool"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/","name":"Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO)"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/","name":"Benefits Planner: Retirement"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/AnypiaApplet.html","name":"Online Benefit Calculator"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ageincrease.html","name":"Retirement Age Calculator"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/agreement_descriptions.html","name":"SSA International Agreements (Totalization)"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/international/AlienTax.html","name":"Nonresident Alien Tax Screening Tool"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html","name":"Social Security Fairness Act (WEP/GPO Repeal) Updates"},{"url":"https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc751","name":"IRS Topic 751 — Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates"},{"url":"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500","name":"IRS Retirement Plans — 401(k) Limits 2026"},{"url":"https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/","name":"OPM FERS Information"},{"url":"https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/csrs-information/","name":"OPM CSRS Information"},{"url":"https://www.tsp.gov/","name":"Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)"},{"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10072.pdf","name":"SSA How You Earn Credits (2026 Publication)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/us/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-03","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/us","system_type":"Mixed Bismarckian/voluntary — mandatory earnings-related public PAYG (Social Security) combined with voluntary employer-sponsored defined contribution plans and individual retirement accounts","pillar_structure":"Pillar 1 — Social Security (OASDI): Mandatory pay-as-you-go defined benefit program. Covers private-sector workers, self-employed, most federal workers hired after 1983, and many state/local employees. Benefits based on highest 35 years of indexed earnings. COLA-adjusted annually (2.8% for 2026). FRA fully phased in at 67 for all workers born 1960 or later. | Pillar 2 — Employer-sponsored plans: 401(k)/403(b) defined contribution plans for private/non-profit sector (2026 employee limit: $24,500; combined limit: $72,000); Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for federal employees hired after 1983 (basic annuity + Social Security + TSP with up to 5% agency match); Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for pre-1984 federal hires (closed, standalone DB plan, no Social Security integration); state/local government pension plans vary widely. | Pillar 3 — Individual voluntary savings: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, taxable brokerage accounts, and individual annuities. 2026 IRA limit: $7,500 (under 50) / $8,600 (50+). OBBBA (P.L. 119-21) introduced Trump Accounts (tax-deferred savings accounts for children, up to $5,000/year) effective July 4, 2026.","replacement_rate_gross":"~40% for average earners (Social Security only at FRA; SSA and OECD Pensions at a Glance data); ranges from ~79% for very low earners to ~28% for maximum earners. US replacement rates are slightly below the OECD average across all income levels.","min_qualifying_period":"40 credits (approximately 10 years of covered employment, earning up to 4 credits per year at $1,890/credit in 2026)","min_qualifying_partial":"As few as 6 US credits may qualify for a totalized (partial) benefit when combined with credits from a totalization agreement country; partial benefit is proportional to US credits earned","aggregation_rules":"Under totalization agreements with 30 countries, US Social Security credits and foreign social insurance credits can be combined to meet minimum eligibility thresholds. Each country pays a proportional benefit based on credits earned in its own system. US credits are not transferred — they remain on the US record and count toward US benefits. The Social Security Fairness Act (effective January 2024) eliminated WEP and GPO reductions, so foreign pension income no longer reduces US Social Security benefits for affected beneficiaries. Note: totalization helps qualify for benefits but does NOT add foreign earnings to the US AIME calculation — years abroad with no US earnings count as $0 in the 35-year average.","totalization_partners":["Australia","Austria","Belgium","Brazil","Canada","Chile","Czech Republic","Denmark","Finland","France","Germany","Greece","Hungary","Iceland","Ireland","Italy","Japan","Luxembourg","Netherlands","Norway","Poland","Portugal","Slovak Republic","Slovenia","South Korea","Spain","Sweden","Switzerland","United Kingdom","Uruguay"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"FICA total: 7.65% employee (6.2% OASDI + 1.45% Medicare) + 7.65% employer match = 15.3% combined. OASDI applies only up to the taxable wage base ($184,500 in 2026). Medicare applies to all wages with no cap. Additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on employee wages above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married filing jointly) — no employer match on surtax. Self-employed pay the full 15.3% (12.4% OASDI + 2.9% Medicare) via SECA on net self-employment income up to $184,500 (OASDI portion), but may deduct half as a business expense. Totalization agreement exemptions may reduce or eliminate self-employment tax for US persons residing in agreement countries.","employee_pct":7.65,"employer_pct":7.65,"self_employed_pct":15.3},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":false,"eligibility_conditions":"Voluntary contributions to the US Social Security system are NOT available. Coverage is mandatory for all workers in covered employment. Workers abroad employed by US companies continue paying FICA. Self-employed US citizens abroad pay SECA unless exempt under a totalization agreement. There is no mechanism to voluntarily purchase additional Social Security credits."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs): 2/3 of 1% per month (8% per year) for each month benefits are deferred beyond FRA up to age 70. Maximum delayed benefit: 124% of FRA benefit (for those with FRA of 67 who delay to 70 — 36 months × 0.667% = 24% bonus). No additional credits accrue after age 70.","early_reduction":"Benefits reduced 5/9 of 1% per month (6.67%/year) for each month claimed before FRA up to 36 months early, then 5/12 of 1% per month (5%/year) for months beyond 36. Maximum reduction: ~30% for claiming at 62 with FRA of 67 (60 months early)."},"access_options":{"notes":"Social Security: Monthly annuity only — no lump sum option (except a one-time retroactive payment of up to 6 months of back benefits if claiming is delayed past FRA). 401(k) and IRA: Penalty-free withdrawals from age 59½; 10% early withdrawal penalty before 59½ (exceptions include Rule of 55, 72(t) substantially equal periodic payments, disability, first-time home purchase up to $10,000 for IRA, and others). Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73 under SECURE 2.0 Act. Roth accounts: contributions withdrawable tax-free anytime; earnings tax-free after 5-year holding period and age 59½. No RMDs for Roth IRAs during owner's lifetime. Annuity products available through insurance companies for 401(k)/IRA assets.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"No special departure withdrawal for Social Security. Non-resident aliens: SSA withholds 30% flat tax on 85% of benefits (effective 25.5% rate) unless reduced by tax treaty. Social Security payable worldwide to most countries; exceptions include Cuba, North Korea, and certain others (use SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool). 401(k)/IRA remain accessible from abroad; file Form W-8BEN with custodian to claim treaty-reduced withholding rate on distributions. Default 30% withholding applies to non-resident aliens without treaty claim."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Social Security does not offer a true lump sum. 401(k)/IRA lump-sum distributions are subject to ordinary income tax (and 10% early withdrawal penalty if under 59½). For nonresident aliens, lump-sum distributions from 401(k)/IRA are subject to 30% withholding (or treaty rate). Roth IRA qualified distributions are tax-free.","special_tax_regimes":"One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21, signed July 4, 2025): Introduced a temporary $6,000 senior deduction for individuals aged 65+ (and spouse if 65+, on joint return) for tax years 2025–2028, phasing out above $75,000 MAGI ($150,000 joint). This deduction may offset Social Security benefit taxation for many seniors but does NOT directly change the Social Security taxation rules (up to 85% of benefits remain potentially taxable based on combined income thresholds). The White House estimated 88% of seniors would effectively pay no tax on Social Security income as a result. The law also made permanent TCJA income tax rates/brackets, increased SALT deduction cap to $40,000 (for MAGI under $500,000), and introduced deductions for tips and overtime (2025–2028). SSI and Special Veterans benefits are not subject to nonresident alien withholding. Consult IRS.gov for current details.","treaty_reduced_rate":"Many US income tax treaties provide reduced or zero withholding on Social Security and pension distributions (file Form W-8BEN with SSA or plan custodian to claim treaty rate). Note: US–Russia treaty partially suspended effective August 16, 2024; US–Hungary treaty terminated. Approximately 60 countries have US income tax treaties.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"US citizens and green card holders are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residence. Must file annual Form 1040. Foreign bank accounts exceeding $10,000 aggregate on any day require FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) by April 15 (auto-extends to October 15). FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) requires foreign financial institutions to report US account holders to IRS. Form 8938 (FATCA) required for specified foreign financial assets above threshold. Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555) excludes up to $130,000 (2025, indexed) of foreign earned income from federal income tax but does NOT reduce FICA/SECA obligations.","govt_vs_private_distinction":"CSRS/FERS government pensions and Social Security are treated differently from private 401(k)/IRA distributions under some treaties. Many treaties exempt or reduce withholding on government pensions paid to residents of the treaty country. Private pension/IRA distributions are typically subject to the treaty's pension article.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"25.5% effective rate (30% applied to 85% of Social Security benefits for nonresident aliens per SSA/IRS rules; 30% flat withholding on 401(k)/IRA distributions for nonresident aliens without treaty claim)"},"indexation":{"notes":"Social Security COLA applies uniformly to all beneficiaries worldwide (US residents and abroad) based on the US Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The 2025 COLA was 2.5%; the 2026 COLA is 2.8%. The 2027 COLA is projected at 3.6%–3.8% (to be officially announced October 14, 2026). Benefits are NOT adjusted for local country inflation or cost of living. CSRS annuities receive the same COLA as Social Security. FERS annuities receive a reduced COLA: full CPI-W increase when CPI-W is below 2%; 2% when CPI-W is between 2%–3%; CPI-W minus 1 percentage point when CPI-W exceeds 3%.","method":"Annual COLA based on percentage change in CPI-W from Q3 of prior year to Q3 of current year, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Announced each October; effective with January payments.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Social Security credits cannot be transferred between countries. Under totalization agreements with 30 countries, credits earned in each country remain in that country's system and are used to determine eligibility for proportional benefits from each system. Note: totalization helps qualify for benefits but does NOT add foreign earnings to the US AIME (benefit calculation) — years abroad with no US earnings count as $0 in the 35-year average, potentially reducing monthly benefit amounts significantly. 401(k) assets can be rolled over to an IRA or new employer plan upon leaving employment; no international transfer mechanism exists. FERS/CSRS annuities are not portable internationally but deferred annuities are available for vested employees who leave federal service before retirement age. TSP assets can be rolled to an IRA upon separation from federal service."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Option 1 — Online: Apply at www.ssa.gov/apply or via my Social Security account (requires ID.me or Login.gov credentials; accessible from abroad). Option 2 — In person: Visit a US embassy or consulate Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in country of residence; SSA-trained personnel available at most major embassies. Option 3 — Mail: Send completed application to SSA Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO), P.O. Box 17769, Baltimore, MD 21235, USA. Option 4 — Phone (from US): 1-800-772-1213. SSA recommends applying 3–4 months before desired start date. For totalization claims, you may file with either country's agency and request the application be forwarded to the other country.","advance_timeline":"Apply 3–4 months before desired benefit start date. SSA recommends notifying them at least 2–3 months before moving abroad. Initial determination typically takes 30–90 days from complete application submission.","payment_frequency":"Monthly (paid on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of each month based on birth date; beneficiaries born on the 1st–10th receive payment on the 2nd Wednesday, 11th–20th on the 3rd Wednesday, 21st–31st on the 4th Wednesday; those receiving benefits before May 1998 are paid on the 3rd of the month)","required_documents":["Birth certificate (or other proof of age)","Proof of US citizenship or lawful alien status (US passport, naturalization certificate, or alien registration card)","Social Security card or record of Social Security number","W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the prior year","Military discharge papers (if applicable)","Proof of marriage/divorce (if claiming spousal or survivor benefits)","Bank account information for direct deposit setup","Form W-8BEN (if nonresident alien claiming treaty-reduced withholding)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"my Social Security (ssa.gov/myaccount) is accessible from abroad using ID.me or Login.gov credentials. Allows viewing benefit statements, earnings history, claim status, SSA-1099 tax forms, and managing direct deposit. Some account creation features may require a US address or phone number — contact OEIO or local FBU if experiencing access issues.","proof_of_life_notes":"SSA sends an eligibility questionnaire (SSA-7161 or similar) every 1–2 years to beneficiaries living abroad to verify continued eligibility. Failure to respond may result in suspension of benefit payments. Some countries require in-person verification at the local FBU or US embassy. Questionnaire confirms continued eligibility, marital status, and other factors affecting benefit amount.","proof_of_life_required":true,"correspondence_language":"English (SSA correspondence is in English; some FBUs may assist in local languages)","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Social Security (OASDI)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory pay-as-you-go defined benefit program covering private-sector workers, self-employed individuals, most federal workers hired after 1983, and many state/local government employees. Provides retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor benefits. Requires 40 credits (approx. 10 years of covered work) for retirement eligibility; in 2026, one credit equals $1,890 in covered earnings (up from $1,810 in 2025), with a maximum of four credits per year ($7,560). Benefits calculated on highest 35 years of wage-indexed earnings. COLA of 2.8% effective January 2026. Social Security Fairness Act (P.L. 118-273, signed Jan 5, 2025) repealed WEP and GPO effective January 2024; SSA completed $17 billion in retroactive payments to 3.1 million beneficiaries by July 7, 2025. FRA fully phased in at 67 for all workers born 1960 or later. Maximum monthly benefit at FRA in 2026: $4,207.","officialUrl":"https://www.ssa.gov/","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"40 credits (maximum 4 per year at $1,890/credit in 2026; approximately 10 years of covered employment)","contributionRateEmployee":"6.2% of gross wages up to the taxable wage base ($184,500 in 2026)","contributionRateEmployer":"6.2% of gross wages up to the taxable wage base ($184,500 in 2026; matching employee rate)"},{"name":"Medicare (Hospital Insurance)","type":"state","description":"Federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65+ who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years). Also covers certain disabled individuals. Medicare Part A (hospital) is premium-free with 40 qualifying credits. Medicare does not provide coverage for foreign healthcare. Eligibility age remains 65 regardless of Social Security FRA changes.","officialUrl":"https://www.medicare.gov/","vestingYears":10,"vestingPeriod":"40 credits (approximately 10 years) for premium-free Part A","contributionRateEmployee":"1.45% of all wages (no wage base cap); additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married filing jointly)","contributionRateEmployer":"1.45% of all wages (no wage base cap; no employer match on the additional 0.9%)"},{"name":"401(k) Plans","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary defined contribution plans offered by private corporations and non-profit organizations. Employee contributions are pre-tax (traditional) or after-tax (Roth). Employers may match contributions. 2026 employee deferral limit: $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025). Catch-up for age 50–59 and 64+: $8,000 (2026, up from $7,500 in 2025). Super catch-up for ages 60–63: $11,250 (unchanged from 2025). Combined employee+employer limit: $72,000 (2026, up from $70,000 in 2025). Penalty-free withdrawals from age 59½; RMDs begin at age 73 (SECURE 2.0). Beginning 2026, high earners (prior-year FICA wages >$150,000) must make catch-up contributions as Roth. OBBBA (P.L. 119-21) did not reduce contribution limits or impose Roth-only mandates on regular contributions.","officialUrl":"https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/401k-plans","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"Employer match vesting schedules vary by plan (immediate to 6-year graded vesting)","contributionRateEmployee":"Up to $24,500 (2026) in employee salary deferrals; catch-up $8,000 (age 50–59, 64+) or $11,250 (ages 60–63)","contributionRateEmployer":"Varies by plan; total employee+employer limit is $72,000 (2026)"},{"name":"Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)","type":"private","description":"Voluntary individual retirement savings accounts available to any individual with earned income. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible (subject to income phase-outs if covered by a workplace plan; 2026 phase-out for single filers covered by workplace plan: $81,000–$91,000). Roth IRA contributions are after-tax; qualified withdrawals are tax-free. 2026 contribution limit: $7,500 (under 50) / $8,600 (50+), up from $7,000/$8,000 in 2025. Roth IRA income phase-out 2026: $153,000–$168,000 (single/head of household); $242,000–$252,000 (married filing jointly). Penalty-free withdrawals from age 59½; RMDs at age 73 for traditional IRAs (no RMDs for Roth IRAs during owner's lifetime). SEP IRA limit: $72,000 (2026). SIMPLE IRA limit: $17,000 (2026), plus $4,000 catch-up for age 50+. OBBBA introduced Trump Accounts (tax-deferred child savings, up to $5,000/year, effective July 4, 2026).","officialUrl":"https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/individual-retirement-arrangements-iras","vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":"No vesting period — individual account","contributionRateEmployee":"$7,500 (2026) for those under 50; $8,600 (2026) for those 50+","contributionRateEmployer":"N/A (individual account; SEP IRA employer contributions up to 25% of compensation or $72,000 in 2026)"},{"name":"Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)","type":"occupational","description":"Three-tier retirement system for federal civilian employees hired on or after January 1, 1984 (covers ~98% of current federal workforce). Tier 1: Basic Benefit Plan (defined benefit annuity based on high-3 average salary × years of service × 1% or 1.1% multiplier). Tier 2: Social Security (6.2% employee + 6.2% employer). Tier 3: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with automatic 1% agency contribution plus matching up to 4% of salary (total agency match up to 5%). Minimum retirement age (MRA) ranges from 55 (born before 1948) to 57 (born 1970+). FERS annuity supplement (bridge to Social Security age 62) remains in force as of July 2026 — the OBBBA House provision to eliminate it effective January 1, 2028 was removed by the Senate before P.L. 119-21 was enacted. 2026 FERS supplement earnings limit: $24,480.","officialUrl":"https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/","vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"5 years of creditable service for deferred annuity; immediate vesting in TSP employee contributions","contributionRateEmployee":"0.8% (hired before 2013), 3.1% (hired in 2013), or 4.4% (hired 2014 and after) of basic pay toward basic benefit annuity, plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare","contributionRateEmployer":"Agency contributes approximately 10.9%–14.2% toward basic benefit annuity (varies by employee category), plus 1% automatic TSP contribution and up to 4% TSP match, plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare"},{"name":"Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)","type":"occupational","description":"Standalone defined benefit pension plan for federal civilian employees hired before January 1, 1984 who did not switch to FERS (closed system — no new entrants). Provides a generous defined benefit annuity based on high-3 average salary and years of service. CSRS employees do NOT participate in Social Security (no OASDI contributions or benefits) but do pay Medicare tax (1.45%). CSRS employees may contribute to the TSP but receive no agency matching contributions. Full COLA (same as Social Security CPI-W basis, 2.8% for 2026) applies regardless of retirement age.","officialUrl":"https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/csrs-information/","vestingYears":5,"vestingPeriod":"5 years of creditable service","contributionRateEmployee":"7%, 7.5%, or 8% of basic pay (depending on employee category) toward CSRS annuity, plus 1.45% Medicare","contributionRateEmployer":"Agency contributes approximately 7% of basic pay toward CSRS annuity, plus 1.45% Medicare"}],"cross_border_notes":["EMPLOYMENT ABROAD — US EMPLOYER: If employed by a US company abroad, pay US Social Security (6.2% employee + 6.2% employer on wages up to $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% each) on full wages. If the assignment is to a totalization agreement country and lasts 5 years or less, the 'detached worker' rule typically keeps the worker under US Social Security. For assignments exceeding 5 years, coverage generally shifts to the host country's system.","EMPLOYMENT ABROAD — FOREIGN EMPLOYER: If employed by a foreign company in a totalization agreement country, contributions are generally made to the host country's system only. In non-agreement countries, dual contributions may be required. Obtain a Certificate of Coverage from the applicable country's social security agency to prove exemption in the other country.","SELF-EMPLOYMENT ABROAD: US self-employed individuals file Schedule SE (Form 1040) and pay 15.3% self-employment tax (12.4% OASDI + 2.9% Medicare) on net self-employment income up to the wage base ($184,500 in 2026) for OASDI, with no cap for Medicare. Totalization agreement exemptions may apply if residing in an agreement country — obtain Certificate of Coverage from host country. Self-employed NRAs are generally not liable for US self-employment tax.","FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION: US citizens and resident aliens abroad may exclude up to $130,000 (2025, indexed annually) of foreign earned income from US federal income tax using Form 2555. This exclusion does NOT reduce Social Security or Medicare (FICA/SECA) tax obligations — payroll taxes remain due on excluded income.","NONRESIDENT ALIEN WITHHOLDING ON SOCIAL SECURITY: SSA withholds 30% flat tax on 85% of Social Security benefits paid to nonresident aliens, resulting in an effective 25.5% withholding rate. File Form SSA-1042S annually. Many tax treaties reduce or eliminate this withholding — file Form W-8BEN with SSA to claim treaty benefits. US citizens and green card holders are not subject to this withholding.","NONRESIDENT ALIEN WITHHOLDING ON 401(k)/IRA: Default 30% withholding applies to 401(k) and IRA distributions paid to nonresident aliens. File Form W-8BEN with the plan custodian to claim a reduced treaty rate. Without the form, the 30% default rate applies. Roth IRA qualified distributions may be tax-free under some treaties.","FBAR AND FATCA REPORTING: If aggregate foreign financial accounts exceed $10,000 on any day during the calendar year, file FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) by April 15 (auto-extends to October 15). Penalties for non-filing: up to $10,000 per non-willful violation or 50% of account value for willful violations. FATCA (Form 8938) requires reporting of specified foreign financial assets above applicable thresholds. Foreign financial institutions report US account holders to the IRS under FATCA.","SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT (2025): Signed January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act (P.L. 118-273) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) effective for benefits payable from January 2024 onward. Approximately 3.2 million beneficiaries who received foreign or non-covered government pensions saw their US Social Security benefits restored. SSA completed $17 billion in retroactive payments to 3.1 million beneficiaries by July 7, 2025, five months ahead of schedule.","ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT (P.L. 119-21, July 4, 2025): Introduced a temporary $6,000 senior deduction for individuals aged 65+ (tax years 2025–2028, phasing out above $75,000 MAGI / $150,000 joint). Does NOT directly change Social Security benefit taxation rules or retirement plan contribution limits. FERS annuity supplement elimination provision was removed by the Senate before enactment — supplement remains current law as of July 2026.","PAYMENTS ABROAD — COUNTRY RESTRICTIONS: Social Security is payable to most countries worldwide. Payments cannot be sent to Cuba or North Korea. Certain restrictions apply to non-US citizens in specific countries (e.g., payments may stop after 6 consecutive months outside the US for certain non-citizen beneficiaries). Use the SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool (ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html) to verify payment eligibility for your specific country and citizenship status.","DIRECT DEPOSIT ABROAD: SSA pays electronically via direct deposit to a US financial institution or to a financial institution in any country with an international direct deposit agreement with the US. Payments are converted to local currency at current exchange rates. Setting up a US bank account before departing the US is recommended as a reliable backup. Conversion fees may apply for non-USD transfers.","COLA INDEXATION: Social Security COLA (2.8% for 2026; projected 3.6%–3.8% for 2027, to be announced October 14, 2026) applies uniformly to all beneficiaries worldwide based on US CPI-W. Benefits are not adjusted for local country inflation or purchasing power. FERS annuities receive a reduced COLA (capped at 2% when CPI-W is 2%–3%; CPI-W minus 1 point when above 3%). CSRS annuities receive the same full COLA as Social Security.","TOTALIZATION AGREEMENTS — COVERAGE GAPS: As of 2026, the US has 30 active totalization agreements. Major expat destinations WITHOUT agreements include China (including Hong Kong), India, Singapore, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico (agreement signed but not yet in force), Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina, and most Middle Eastern, African, and Southeast Asian countries. Workers in non-agreement countries may face dual Social Security contributions on the same income. Note: totalization helps qualify for benefits but does NOT add foreign earnings to the US AIME benefit calculation.","TOTALIZATION — AIME IMPACT: A critical planning consideration: totalization agreements help you qualify for US Social Security benefits by combining credits, but years spent working abroad with no US earnings count as $0 in the 35-year AIME average used to calculate your monthly benefit. This can significantly reduce the actual benefit amount even when eligibility is met through totalization."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"url":"https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/","title":"Go to my Social Security","detail":"The online account is the fastest route to your Statement, which shows your earnings history year by year and your estimated retirement benefit."},{"n":2,"title":"Sign in with Login.gov or ID.me","detail":"Identity proofing runs through one of these providers. If you already use Login.gov for another federal service, reuse it."},{"n":3,"title":"Download your Social Security Statement","detail":"Read the earnings record carefully — missing or wrong years reduce your benefit, and they are far easier to correct now than decades later."},{"n":4,"title":"Understand what the estimate assumes","detail":"The projected benefit generally assumes you keep earning at your recent rate until retirement. It is not 'what I have earned so far', so treat it as a projection, not an entitlement already banked."},{"n":5,"title":"If you're abroad and can't create an account","detail":"Form SSA-7004 requests a Statement by mail. The Federal Benefits Unit at the US embassy or consulate covering your country handles Social Security matters for people living overseas."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"You have no US address or US mobile, so account creation fails","whatToDo":"Use the SSA-7004 postal request, or contact the Federal Benefits Unit for your country. Never use a third-party service that offers to create the account for you — it would need your SSN and credentials."},{"symptom":"Your earnings record has missing years","whatToDo":"Gather W-2s, tax returns or pay stubs for the missing years and contact SSA to correct the record. There are time limits on corrections, so do not leave it."},{"symptom":"You worked in both the US and a treaty country and have too few US credits","whatToDo":"A totalization agreement may let foreign coverage count toward US eligibility. This does not appear on the Statement — you have to raise it when you claim."}],"portalUrl":"https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/","portalName":"my Social Security (SSA)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your Social Security number.","A Login.gov or ID.me account — SSA no longer issues its own credentials for new users.","Be aware: creating an account generally expects a US mailing address and a US phone number, which is the main obstacle for people living overseas."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether a specific overseas address or non-US phone number can complete Login.gov / ID.me identity proofing varies and changes; we could not confirm a reliable route that works from every country.","documentNameLocal":"Social Security Statement","documentNameEnglish":"Social Security Statement"}},{"country":"Vietnam","country_code":"VN","continent":"asia","currency":"VND","retirement_age_early":56,"retirement_age_full":61.5,"retirement_age_max":null,"pension_system_summary":"Vietnam operates a mandatory social insurance pension system (BHXH – Bảo hiểm xã hội Việt Nam) administered by Vietnam Social Security (VSS), providing earnings-related pensions on a pay-as-you-go defined benefit (PAYG DB) basis. The landmark Social Insurance Law No. 41/2024/QH15, effective July 1, 2025, represents the most comprehensive reform since 2014: it reduces the minimum qualifying contribution period from 20 to 15 years, expands mandatory coverage to part-time workers and a broader range of contract types, restricts lump-sum withdrawals for new participants, and introduces a non-contributory social pension for citizens aged 75 and above (and 70–74 for poor/near-poor households). The retirement age is on a phased increase roadmap, reaching 62 for men by 2028 and 60 for women by 2035. As of 2026, the statutory retirement age is 61 years 6 months for men and 57 years for women.\n\nThe pension formula provides women 45% of average insurable salary at 15 years of contributions, plus 2% per additional year up to a maximum of 75%. Men receive 40% for 15–19 years of contributions (plus 1% per year in that band), then 45% from 20 years onwards plus 2% per additional year, also capped at 75%. Pensions are periodically adjusted by government decree based on CPI and economic conditions; a 15% increase was applied from July 1, 2025, and an 8% increase from July 1, 2026. Foreign workers on labor contracts of 12 months or more have been subject to mandatory social insurance since 2018, with the same benefit entitlements as Vietnamese employees.\n\nThe supplementary (Pillar 2) voluntary occupational pension market remains nascent but growing: as of end-2025, four licensed fund managers operated seven funds with approximately 28,560 participants and total net asset value of around USD 88 million. Lump-sum withdrawal of social insurance contributions has historically been widespread, undermining long-term pension coverage, but the 2025 reform locks post-July 2025 contribution years into the pension track and prohibits routine cash-outs for new participants.","has_totalization_treaties":true,"official_portals":[{"url":"https://www.baohiemxahoi.gov.vn","name":"BHXH Vietnam – Vietnam Social Security (Vietnamese)"},{"url":"https://vss.gov.vn/english/Pages/default.aspx","name":"VSS English Portal"},{"url":"https://dichvucong.gov.vn","name":"National Public Service Portal (Online Claims)"}],"depth_pattern":null,"statement_guide_url":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/vn/statement","last_verified":"2026-07-18","verification_status":"Current","pensionchart_country_page":"https://pensionchart.com/directory/vn","system_type":"Multi-tier public pension system — PAYG defined benefit mandatory scheme (Bismarckian contributory core) with a non-contributory social pension floor and voluntary supplementary occupational funds","pillar_structure":"Pillar 0: Non-contributory social pension (VND 500,000/month) for citizens aged 75+ without pension, and 70–74 if poor/near-poor (from July 2025); Pillar 1: BHXH mandatory compulsory social insurance (PAYG DB) for employees and voluntary social insurance for self-employed/informal workers; Pillar 2: Voluntary supplementary pension funds (employer-sponsored, ~28,560 enrolled, 7 funds, 4 licensed operators as of end-2025); Pillar 3: Individual savings and life insurance products","replacement_rate_gross":"40–75%","min_qualifying_period":"15 years of social insurance contributions (effective July 1, 2025 under Law No. 41/2024/QH15; previously 20 years under the 2014 law)","min_qualifying_partial":"15 years (minimum for monthly pension); workers with fewer than 15 years at retirement age may receive a lump-sum withdrawal or, if not yet eligible for social pension, a monthly transitional allowance funded from their own contributions","aggregation_rules":"Bilateral totalization agreement with South Korea (effective January 1, 2024) allows mutual recognition of social insurance contribution periods, preventing dual contributions and enabling period aggregation. Agreements with Japan and Romania remain in negotiation/process as of mid-2026. Very limited aggregation network overall. Foreign workers covered by a bilateral agreement and already contributing in their home country may be exempt from Vietnamese SI.","totalization_partners":["South Korea (effective January 1, 2024)"],"contribution_rates":{"notes":"Contribution rates confirmed unchanged under Law 41/2024/QH15. Of the employer's 17.5% SI contribution, 14% goes to the pension and survivorship fund and 3.5% to sickness, maternity, and occupational accident funds. Employee's 8% goes entirely to the pension and survivorship fund. Contribution salary capped at 20 times the reference level (VND 46,800,000/month as of 2026). Foreign workers: total SI rate is 25% (8% employee + 17% employer) under Decree 158/2025/ND-CP — foreign workers are exempt from unemployment insurance. Total combined SHUI for local employees reaches approximately 32% of salary base when health and unemployment insurance are included.","employee_pct":"8% (social insurance pension/survivorship fund only); 10.5% total including health insurance (1.5%) and unemployment insurance (1%)","employer_pct":"17.5% (social insurance); 21.5% total including health insurance (3%) and unemployment insurance (1%)","self_employed_pct":"22% of chosen income level (voluntary social insurance, pension and survivorship fund)"},"voluntary_contributions":{"available":true,"annual_cost":"22% of chosen monthly income level (between VND 1,500,000 and VND 46,800,000/month), paid monthly or in advance","benefit_per_year":"Same pension formula as compulsory scheme: 45% of average contribution salary at 15 years (women) or 40% at 15 years rising to 45% at 20 years (men), plus 2% per additional year, capped at 75%","eligibility_conditions":"Vietnamese citizens aged 15 and over not subject to compulsory social insurance, including self-employed, informal sector workers, part-time workers below the compulsory threshold, and Vietnamese citizens abroad. From July 1, 2025, voluntary SI also covers maternity and occupational accident benefits. Participants in compulsory SI who are temporarily suspending their labor contract may also join voluntary SI during the suspension period."},"adjustment_rates":{"late_bonus":"No formal deferral bonus beyond standard retirement age. However, each additional contribution year beyond the minimum increases the replacement rate by 2% (up to the 75% maximum), incentivising longer working careers.","early_reduction":"-2% per year before standard retirement age (for those with 20+ years contributions); -1% if retiring 6–12 months early; no reduction if less than 6 months early. Early retirement permitted up to 5 years before standard age for workers in hazardous/arduous conditions or economically disadvantaged areas."},"access_options":{"notes":"Monthly pension (annuity) available upon reaching statutory retirement age with at least 15 years of contributions. Lump-sum withdrawal rules changed significantly from July 1, 2025: new participants (joining from July 1, 2025) cannot withdraw in a lump sum except in special cases (reaching retirement age with fewer than 15 years contributions, emigrating abroad, serious illness, or work capacity reduction of 81%+). Pre-July 2025 participants are grandfathered and may still withdraw after 12 months of non-contribution if they have fewer than 20 years. Contribution years accrued after July 1, 2025 are locked into the pension track and cannot be cashed out. Lump-sum amount formula: 1.5 months of average contribution salary per year contributed before 2014, plus 2.0 months per year from 2014 onwards. Workers who reach retirement age with insufficient contributions and are not yet eligible for social pension may receive a monthly transitional allowance from their own accumulated contributions.","annuity_available":true,"lump_sum_available":true,"withdrawal_on_departure":"Foreign workers: lump-sum social insurance withdrawal available upon permanent departure from Vietnam or contract/work permit expiration (no 12-month waiting period required, unlike Vietnamese nationals). Application should be made within 30 days before contract/permit expiry; processing within 10 working days. Refund amount: 2 months of average SI salary per year of contributions (post-2014). Vietnamese nationals emigrating permanently: lump-sum withdrawal allowed. No personal income tax on social insurance lump-sum withdrawals."},"tax":{"lump_sum_treatment":"Social insurance lump-sum withdrawal: not subject to personal income tax (exempt under Vietnamese PIT law)","special_tax_regimes":"Vietnam enacted a new Personal Income Tax Law (Law 109/2025/QH15) effective July 1, 2026 for employment income, introducing a simplified 5-bracket progressive schedule (replacing the previous 7-bracket schedule) for tax residents, while maintaining a flat 20% rate for non-tax residents on Vietnam-sourced income. Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents only on Vietnamese-source income.","treaty_relief_available":true,"us_reporting_obligations":"Vietnam has no totalization agreement with the United States. US citizens working in Vietnam may be subject to both US Social Security taxes and Vietnamese social insurance contributions simultaneously. Vietnamese pension income received by US persons abroad is generally reportable as foreign pension income on US tax returns. FBAR/FATCA reporting may apply to Vietnamese pension accounts depending on account type and balance.","nonresident_withholding_pct":"20% flat rate on Vietnam-sourced employment income for non-tax residents (updated under Law 109/2025/QH15 on Personal Income Tax, effective July 1, 2026 for employment income from 2026 tax year; previously 20% under prior law as well)"},"indexation":{"notes":"Pension increases apply to all beneficiaries regardless of residence. The 8% increase from July 1, 2026 covers more than 3.5 million pension and social insurance benefit recipients. The government reviews and adjusts the social pension allowance (non-contributory floor) every three years.","method":"Pensions adjusted periodically by government decree based on consumer price index (CPI) increases and economic growth, subject to state budget capacity (Article 67, Law 41/2024/QH15). Not automatically indexed — requires a specific government decree each cycle. Recent adjustments: 15% increase from July 1, 2025 (coinciding with new law implementation); 8% increase from July 1, 2026 (Decree 162/2026/ND-CP). Pensions paid abroad are uprated on the same basis as domestic pensions.","abroad_status":"uprated"},"portability":{"transfer_options":"Lump-sum refund available on permanent departure from Vietnam (for both Vietnamese nationals and foreign workers). Bilateral totalization agreement with South Korea (effective January 1, 2024) allows mutual recognition of contribution periods and prevents dual contributions. Agreements with Japan and Romania remain under negotiation as of mid-2026. No pension transfer mechanism to foreign pension systems exists outside of totalization agreements. Vietnamese nationals who emigrate may claim a full lump-sum withdrawal of their accumulated contributions."},"claiming":{"process_summary":"Apply at the provincial or district social insurance office in person, by postal service, or online via the National Public Service Portal (dichvucong.gov.vn), the VSS sector portal (baohiemxahoi.gov.vn), or through an authorized I-VAN electronic service provider. Standard processing time is 10 working days from receipt of a complete and valid application. For foreign workers departing Vietnam, the application should be submitted within 30 days before contract or work permit expiry. Foreigners who have already left Vietnam may apply through an authorized representative in Vietnam using a notarized power of attorney.","advance_timeline":"Apply within 30 days before contract/work permit expiry (for departing foreign workers); no strict deadline for Vietnamese nationals claiming after departure","payment_frequency":"Monthly (pension); one-time (lump-sum withdrawal). Payment via direct bank transfer to individual account (approximately 90% of recipients as of June 2026), postal delivery, or through employer.","required_documents":["Valid passport or Vietnamese national ID (CCCD/citizen card)","Social insurance card (replaced social insurance book from 2020) or digital social insurance record","Employment records or labor contract termination letter","Work permit expiration/cancellation notice (for foreign workers)","Proof of permanent departure or residence abroad (for emigration-based claims): visa, foreign residence permit, or approved emigration dossier","Medical certification (if claiming due to serious illness or work capacity reduction)","VSS application form for lump-sum social insurance benefit","Authorization form / notarized power of attorney (if claiming through a representative from abroad)"],"local_bank_required":false,"portal_access_notes":"The National Public Service Portal (dichvucong.gov.vn) and VSS portal (baohiemxahoi.gov.vn) are accessible from abroad for online applications and status checks. However, some procedures (particularly lump-sum claims) may still require in-person submission or authorized representative. The VSS English portal provides general information for foreign workers.","proof_of_life_notes":"No formal annual proof-of-life requirement identified for overseas pensioners under current regulations. Foreign workers can appoint an authorized representative in Vietnam using a notarized power of attorney if applying from abroad.","international_contact":{"phone":"Vietnam Social Security (VSS): 6 Cuong Kien Street, Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi; Hotline: 19009068; Email: contact@vss.gov.vn"},"correspondence_language":"Vietnamese (official); VSS English portal available for general information","portal_accessible_abroad":true},"schemes":[{"name":"Compulsory Social Insurance Pension (BHXH Bắt buộc)","type":"state","description":"Mandatory earnings-related PAYG DB pension for all employees with labor contracts of 1 month or more, including foreign workers on contracts of 12+ months. Effective July 1, 2025 (Law 41/2024/QH15): minimum 15 years of contributions required (reduced from 20). Women: 45% of average insurable salary at 15 years + 2% per additional year, max 75%. Men: 40% for 15–19 years (+ 1%/year in that band), then 45% at 20 years + 2%/year, max 75%. Pension calculated on average salary over entire contribution period for new participants from July 2025. Contribution salary capped at 20 times the reference level (VND 46,800,000/month in 2026). Early retirement possible up to 5 years before standard age for hazardous/arduous occupations or certain disadvantaged groups, with 2% reduction per year (1% if less than 6 months early).","officialUrl":"https://www.baohiemxahoi.gov.vn","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years of social insurance contributions (effective July 1, 2025; previously 20 years)","contributionRateEmployee":"8%","contributionRateEmployer":"17.5%"},{"name":"Voluntary Social Insurance (BHXH Tự nguyện)","type":"voluntary","description":"Available for Vietnamese citizens aged 15+ not covered by compulsory scheme, including self-employed, informal sector workers, and Vietnamese citizens abroad. From July 1, 2025, voluntary SI expanded to include maternity and occupational accident coverage. Same pension formula as compulsory scheme. Contribution rate: 22% of chosen income level (between VND 1,500,000 and VND 46,800,000/month). Historically very low participation; the 2025 reform aims to expand coverage to informal workers.","officialUrl":"https://www.baohiemxahoi.gov.vn","vestingYears":15,"vestingPeriod":"15 years of contributions (same as compulsory, effective July 1, 2025)","contributionRateEmployee":"22% of chosen income level","contributionRateEmployer":null},{"name":"Voluntary Supplementary Pension Fund (Quỹ hưu trí bổ sung tự nguyện)","type":"occupational","description":"Voluntary employer-sponsored supplementary pension regulated under Decree 88/2016/ND-CP (pilot) and superseded by Decree 85/2026/ND-CP. Participation is voluntary and based on employer-employee agreement; not a condition of employment. As of end-2025: four licensed operators (Dragon Capital Vietnam, MB Investment Fund Management, SSIAM/SSI Asset Management, Vietcombank Fund Management) operating seven funds; approximately 28,560 participants; total net asset value ~USD 88 million (VND 2,274 billion), up 47% year-on-year. Employees receive employer contributions and investment returns upon meeting agreed conditions or in special cases (death, serious illness, 81%+ work capacity reduction, emigration, or foreign workers terminating employment in Vietnam). Under Law 41/2024/QH15, individual direct participation is no longer permitted; participation must be through employer arrangements.","officialUrl":null,"vestingYears":null,"vestingPeriod":null,"contributionRateEmployee":null,"contributionRateEmployer":null}],"cross_border_notes":["Mandatory participation for foreign workers with labor contracts of 12+ months in Vietnam (since 2018, reinforced under Law 41/2024/QH15 and Decree 158/2025/ND-CP); same benefit entitlements as Vietnamese employees.","Foreign workers are exempt from unemployment insurance; their total SI contribution rate is 25% (8% employee + 17% employer) under Decree 158/2025/ND-CP, compared to 32% total SHUI for local employees.","Foreign workers exempt from mandatory SI if: (a) sent to Vietnam by an overseas employer and remaining on foreign payroll (intra-company transfer), (b) covered by a bilateral SI agreement and already contributing in their home country (e.g., South Korean nationals covered by the Vietnam–South Korea agreement effective January 2024), or (c) have reached Vietnamese retirement age at time of contract signing.","Foreign workers can claim a lump-sum refund on permanent departure or work permit expiration without the 12-month waiting period required for Vietnamese nationals; application within 30 days before departure; processing within 10 working days.","New lump-sum withdrawal restrictions effective July 1, 2025: participants joining from July 1, 2025 cannot cash out contributions except in special cases (fewer than 15 years at retirement age, emigration, serious illness, 81%+ work capacity reduction). Contribution years accrued after July 1, 2025 are permanently locked into the pension track.","Pre-July 2025 participants are grandfathered: those with fewer than 20 years of contributions may still withdraw after 12 months of non-contribution.","Bilateral totalization agreement with South Korea (effective January 1, 2024) prevents dual contributions and allows period aggregation. Agreements with Japan and Romania remain under negotiation.","Vietnam has no totalization agreement with the United States; US citizens working in Vietnam may face dual social security taxation.","Non-contributory social pension introduced from July 1, 2025: VND 500,000/month for Vietnamese citizens aged 75+ without pension entitlements; citizens aged 70–74 from poor/near-poor households also eligible. Recipients also receive free health insurance coverage.","Pension indexation applies equally to overseas recipients; 8% increase applied from July 1, 2026 under Decree 162/2026/ND-CP.","Social insurance lump-sum withdrawals are not subject to Vietnamese personal income tax. Non-resident employment income is taxed at a flat 20% rate under Vietnamese PIT law."],"retrieval_guide":{"cost":"Free","steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Find your social insurance book","detail":"Vietnam issues a physical social insurance book to each participant. Employers sometimes hold it during employment and must return it when you leave — if you never received it, that is the first thing to chase."},{"n":2,"url":"https://www.baohiemxahoi.gov.vn","title":"Install VssID and register","detail":"VssID shows your contribution history and is the fastest way to see what has been recorded against your number."},{"n":3,"title":"Check your contribution months","detail":"A Vietnamese monthly pension requires a long contribution history. Below that threshold what is available is a one-time payment rather than a pension."},{"n":4,"url":"https://dichvucong.gov.vn","title":"If you are leaving permanently, ask about the one-time benefit","detail":"A lump-sum social insurance benefit is available on permanent departure, for Vietnamese nationals and foreign workers alike. It is claimed through the provincial or district social insurance office."},{"n":5,"title":"Keep the book and the record","detail":"The physical book is the primary evidence. Do not leave it with a former employer."}],"failures":[{"symptom":"Your employer never gave you the social insurance book","whatToDo":"Employers are required to return it when employment ends. If the company has closed, the provincial social insurance office can reissue the record from its own database."},{"symptom":"VssID will not verify you from outside Vietnam","whatToDo":"Registration typically expects a Vietnamese phone number and identity document. An authorised representative in Vietnam, or a written request to the provincial office, is the alternative."},{"symptom":"You are a foreign worker unsure whether you were covered","whatToDo":"Compulsory coverage for foreign employees was phased in and depends on contract type and duration. Ask the provincial office to search by passport number and employer."}],"portalUrl":"https://vss.gov.vn/english/Pages/default.aspx","portalName":"Vietnam Social Security (VSS)","lastCheckedBy":"marco.ventura@me.com","lastCheckedOn":"2026-08-23","beforeYouStart":["Your social insurance number (số sổ BHXH) — printed in your social insurance book, which in Vietnam is a physical booklet you should have been given.","The VssID app, which is the main digital route to your own record.","Your Vietnamese employers and dates."],"couldNotVerify":"Whether VssID registration is currently possible for a user with a foreign phone number.","documentNameLocal":"Sổ bảo hiểm xã hội / VssID","documentNameEnglish":"Social insurance book and record"}}]}