Average actual retirement age falls as legal age increases, payroll figures show

In the first three months of 2025, Belgians who retired were on average 63 years and 11 months old, according to figures from HR service provider Partena Professional. A year ago, the figure was 64 years and five months.

The drop is notable because the legal retirement age was raised from 65 to 66 in February. In 2030, the age will be raised further to 67. 

“It is striking that for the first time in years, the actual retirement age is showing a solid decline,” says Partena Professional. 

The public debate on pension reform in recent months has made workers more aware of their options, says Yves Stox of Partena Professional. It may have led some workers to accelerate the move towards early retirement. 

^{Demonstrators outside the Pensions Tower in Brussels during a day of protests against the federal government's planned pension reform, 20 May 2025 © PHOTO BELPRESS}

Related news

​​
​

​​
​