Retirement Applications Surge Toward Record Levels
Retirement activity in Greece is accelerating rapidly as applications are projected to surpass 210000 by the end of December, approaching past peaks recorded in 2021 and 2022. Pressure on EFKA is expected to intensify as officials prepare for another heavy administrative workload.
Working pensioners are also increasing in number as more than 260000 retirees are estimated to remain employed, representing over 10 percent of all pensioners. A few years ago, only 30000 individuals chose to continue working after retirement.
Eligibility for full retirement requires either age 62 with 40 years of work, including recognized insurance time, or age 67 regardless of work duration.
Six Groups Maintain Early Retirement Rights
Six insured groups still hold the ability to retire before age 62 through transitional provisions that continue to apply in 2026. These categories include workers in heavy and unhealthy occupations, mothers with minor children, and public sector employees under specific insurance timelines.
IKA insured men and women under the heavy and unhealthy professions scheme must have 10500 days of insurance, including 7500 in heavy labor, qualifying for full retirement at 62 or reduced retirement at 60.
IKA insured men with 4500 total insurance days, including 3600 in heavy labor, may retire with a full pension at 62.
IKA insured women with 4500 total insurance days, including 3600 in heavy labor, may also retire early, with the option of adding recognized insurance time.
Mothers insured under former IKA rules with 5500 insurance days and a minor child who reached age 55 by 2018 can retire with a full pension at age 61, even in 2026.
Public sector employees insured before 1993 who reached ages 55 for women, 56, 58, or 60 by the end of 2022 and had 25 years of insurance between 2010 and 2012 can retire with a reduced pension.
Employees in public utilities or banks, specifically mothers with 25 years of insurance in 2010 and a minor child who reached age 50 by 2017, maintain early retirement rights.
These provisions continue to play a key role in shaping retirement trends as Greece experiences one of its most active years for pension exits.
