Workers planning to retire in 2027 face distinct rules governing age thresholds, insurance days, and past entitlements, as the Ministry of Labor has confirmed that general retirement age limits will not increase.
Retirement Requirements for 2027
General retirement frameworks maintained by the e-EFKA outline three primary pathways for workers exiting the labor market.
Workers can claim a full pension at 67 provided they have accumulated at least 15 years of insurance, which translates to 4,500 days of contributions. Workers achieving 40 years of insurance—equal to 12,000 working days—may retire with a full pension at 62 under rules applying to both the private and public sectors.
Reduced pensions at age 62 require at least 15 years of insurance. possessing 4,500 insurance days does not automatically guarantee reduced retirement at 62, as applicants must also satisfy additional criteria established for their former insurance fund and category.
National Pension Reductions
Workers retiring with the minimum 15 years of insurance face reductions in the national portion of their pension. Securing the full national pension amount requires at least 20 years of insurance.
For insurance histories ranging between 15 and 19 years, the national pension decreases by 2% for every year falling short of the 20-year mark. This structure creates specific adjustments:
- 15 years of insurance: 10% reduction
- 16 years of insurance: 8% reduction
- 17 years of insurance: 6% reduction
- 18 years of insurance: 4% reduction
- 19 years of insurance: 2% reduction
Workers selecting early retirement through a reduced pension face an additional permanent cut that can reach up to 30% on the national pension component, depending on how much earlier the insured person departs relative to the general full retirement age of 67. The contributory pension does not undergo the same age-related cut.
Early Retirement Rights
Certain insured people maintain eligibility to retire before age 62 by using established transitional rules and rights locked in under older legislation. Mothers of minors and insured people with 35, 36, or 37 years of insurance qualify. Old insured people with 10,500 insurance days have access to a reduced pension at age 60.
Special provisions also apply to heavy and hazardous professions.
Voluntary Insurance Rules
Employees who lack sufficient days can utilize voluntary continued insurance with e-EFKA by taking personal responsibility for paying insurance contributions to cover the required time for establishing a pension right. Applicants must have discontinued mandatory insurance to enroll.
If an application is submitted within one year from the last day of insurance, the person must have completed at least five years—meaning 1,500 days—of insurance, with at least 300 days completed during the final five-year period before the application.
If the application is filed after one year passes from the last insurance period, the required mandatory insurance time increases to 10 years, or 3,000 days. Sequential insurance times are factored into the calculation.
The insured must be judged fit for work based on an evaluation by the competent Health Committee, and there must be no outstanding contributions from mandatory insurance.
Workers close to retirement can evaluate the recognition of fictional years—such as military service, education, or child-rearing periods—to help fulfill the 40-year threshold required for full retirement.
