REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL pursuant to Article 77 of the Staff Regulations of Officials
Date: 2025-07-24
Institutions: Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security, European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, EU institution, European official, civil servant, pension scheme, regulations for civil servants, retirement conditions, staff regulations (EU)

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 24.7.2025  COM(2025) 423 final  REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL pursuant to Article 77 of the Staff Regulations of Officials  
 
 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

pursuant to Article 77 of the Staff Regulations of Officials 

LEGAL BASIS 
Article  77  of  the  Staff  Regulations  (SR),  as  last  amended  in  20131,  provides  that  the 
pensionable age shall be assessed every five years starting on 1 January 2014 on the basis of a 
report  by  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament  and  to  the  Council.  The  report  shall 
examine, in particular, the evolution of pensionable age for staff in the civil services of the 
Member States and the evolution of life expectancy of officials of the institutions.  

The co-legislators also decided that where appropriate, the Commission shall make a proposal 
amending  the  pensionable  age  in  line  with  the  conclusions  of  that  report,  paying  particular 
attention to developments in the Member States. 

This  report  implements  the  aforementioned  provision  by  examining  the  evolution  of 
pensionable age for staff in the civil services of the Member States and the evolution of life 
expectancy of officials of the institutions between 2019 and 2023.  

1. 

SCOPE OF THE REPORT 

Under Article 77 of the SR, the evolution of the pensionable age for staff in the civil services 
of the Member States and the evolution of life expectancy of officials of the institutions should 
be assessed every five years, thereby providing a five-year reference period between 1 January 
2019 and 31 December 2023 for this report2. 

The co-legislators provided a material scope encompassing both the evolution of pensionable 
age for staff in the civil services of the Member States and the evolution of life expectancy of 
officials of the institutions. In addition, they specified that, when assessing the possibility to 
amend pensionable age, the Commission should pay particular attention to the developments 
in the Member States. 

2. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

2.1.  Collection of data 

Eurostat requested experts from the Member States to provide annually data in the framework 
of  the  Working  Group  on  Article  83  of  the  SR  (Article  83  Working  Group)3.  The  latter  is 
competent to deal with any question concerning the methodology of implementation of Annex 
XII to the SR in cooperation with Eurostat. 

1   Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1023/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013. 
2     Normally data from 2019 was used. However, when this was unavailable, data from 2018 was used. 
3   The Article 83 Working Group is an expert group which includes the statistical offices of the governments of 

Member States and the Commission’s ESTAT. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
In order to comply with its reporting obligation and in line with Article 4(3) of the Treaty on 
the European Union, the European Commission requested the delegates of the Member States 
in the Article 83 Working Group to provide and confirm by March 2025 the reliability of data 
concerning their respective civil services’ pensions systems. This concerned in particular the 
applicable pensionable age during the reference period and other modalities of functioning of 
the pension schemes. 

2.2.  Methodological aspects 

Comparison of pension benefits across Member States is only possible to a certain extent, as 
structural differences among pension schemes exist. In particular, schemes for civil servants in 
central  services  of  Member  States  may  not  cover  the  same  populations,  i.e.  schemes  in  the 
Member States cover alternatively central government officials, all public sector civil servants, 
or capture the general working population together with civil servants in central governments.  

In addition, certain national schemes are transfer plans, or a “pay as you go” (i.e. where the 
pension contributions of those working are redistributed to those in retirement) by contrast to 
saving  plans  (in  which  employees  contribute  for  their  own  upcoming  pensions).  Moreover, 
certain national schemes provide for gender-gapped retirement ages. 

As confirmed by the case law of the EU courts4, the Pension Scheme for EU Officials (PSEO) 
is a notional (virtual) fund with defined benefits, in which staff member’s contributions serve 
to finance the future pensions of those contributing. The contributions actually cover the cost 
of the pension rights acquired in a given year and are in no way linked to that year’s pension 
expenditure5. 

2.3.  Definition of normal pensionable age  

Article  77  of  the  SR  refers  to  the  pensionable  age,  which  is  also  referred  to  as  normal 
pensionable age. This term corresponds to the age at which EU staff  member automatically 
retires without a financial penalty. As of 1 January 2014, the normal pensionable age for the 
EU staff has been increased to 66 years for staff recruited as of 2014. Transitional provisions 
apply for staff recruited before that date. 

There are two derogations to the normal pensionable age: 

-  First, staff members may ask for early retirement, i.e. retirement before reaching 
normal  pensionable  age.  As  of  1  January  2014,  early  retirement  age  has  been 
increased to 58 years for all staff. Early retirement always results in a significant 
financial penalty6.  

-  Second,  staff  members  may,  at  their  own  request  and  where  the  appointing 
authority considers it justified in the interests of the service, carry on working until 
the age of 67. Exceptionally, staff members may work until the age of 70, in which 
case they shall be retired automatically on the last day of the month in which they 
reach that age. 

4   See, for example, Case F-105/05 Wils v Parliament, point 85 and Case T-439/09 Purvis v Parliament, point 

45.  

5   Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Annex XII to 

the Staff Regulations, COM(2018) 829 final. 

6   Under Article 9 of Annex VIII to the SR, the related pension rights are reduced by 3.5 % per year of difference 

between the effective retirement age and pensionable age. 

2 

 
 
 
Based on the above, corresponding data on normal pensionable age, minimum pensionable age 
and maximum pensionable age was submitted by most Member States in the context of the 
Article 83 Working Group. 

3. 

EVOLUTION OF THE RESPECTIVE PENSIONABLE AGE OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN CENTRAL 
SERVICES OF THE MEMBER STATES 

The charts below illustrate the normal pensionable age, the minimum pensionable age and the 
maximum  pensionable  age  applicable  for  the  staff  in  central  civil  services  of  the  Member 
States. Member States not referenced in the tables or referenced only for one year either did 
not provide Eurostat with data or do not have minimum or maximum pensionable age7.  

7 When data was not available, and if possible, relevant national legislation was assessed. 

3 

 
 
 
3.1. 

 Normal pensionable age in the central civil services of Member States  

Number of Member States compared to EU staff normal 
pensionable age

Pensionable age below 
66

Pensionable age equal 
or above 66

AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, EE, ES, FI, HR, HU, IT, LT, LU,
LV, MT, PL, RO, SE, SI, SK

DE, DK, EL, EU, FR, IE, NL, PT

Normal pensionable age

25

20

15

10

5

0

69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56

R
H

U
L

)
n
e
m
o
w

(
L
P

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

G
B

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

O
R

I
S

K
S

T
I

T
M

I
F

E
E

)
n
e
m

(
T
L

)
n
e
m

(

G
B

)
n
e
m
o
w

(
T
L

V
L

T
A

E
B

Y
C

Z
C

S
E

U
H

)
n
e
m

(
L
P

)
n
e
m

(

O
R

E
S

E
I

E
D

T
U P
E

K
D

L
E

R
F

L
N

2019

2023

* In the case of IT, authorities confirmed that the data is calculated as an average given IT has 
different modalities to access pensions. In the case of FR, authorities confirmed that the “âge 
d’annulation de la décote” (67 years old) is the age at which a person can retire without any 
penalty in their pension amount, even if they have not contributed for the required number of 
years. At this age, the pension is  automatically calculated at  the full rate, regardless of  the 
number of years validated. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2. 

 Minimum pensionable age 

Minimum pensionable age

66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46

E
I

K
S

U
L

U
E

)
n
e
m

(
T
L

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

R
H

)
n
e
m
o
w

(
T
L

K
D

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

O
R

)
n
e
m

(

R
H

)
n
e
m

(

O
R

)
n
e
m
o
w

(
L
P

I
S

E
E

S
E

T
P

L
N

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

G
B

T
M

I
F

E
S

T
A

Z
C

L
E

T
I

R
F

V
L

E
B

)
n
e
m

(

G
B

E
D

U
H

)
n
e
m

(
L
P

2019

2023

As stated in section 2.3., early retirement in the EU Institutions always results in a significant 
financial  penalty  as  the  related  pension  rights  are  reduced  by  3.5  %  per  year  of  difference 
between the effective retirement age and pensionable age. Effectively, a staff member retiring 
at 58 will see the gross pension rights cut by 28%. By way of comparison, for seven of the 
Member States’ civil services with a minimum pensionable age higher than 58, there are no 
penalties for early retirement. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3. 

 Maximum pensionable age 

Maximum pensionable age

71
70
69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

O
R

)
n
e
m
o
w

(

R
H

K
S

V
L

)
n
e
m

(

R
H

U
L

T
M

E
B

Y
C

T
L

)
n
e
m

(

R
F

L
E

T
I

I

T F
A

E
D

E
I

U
H

Z
C

S
E

T
P

U
E

O
R
2019

2023

3.4.  Assessment  of  evolution  of  the  pensionable  ages  for  the  staff  in  the  civil 

services of the Member States 

Evolution of the normal pensionable age in EU Member 
States between 2019 - 2023

Number of 
Member States

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

2019

2023

* For countries having differentiated pensionable ages between women and men, the highest 
value  is  reflected  in  the  above  table.  For  countries  with  a  normal  pensionable  age  with 
decimals, rounding to the closest whole number was implemented. 

The  charts  above  show  the  evolution  of  the  minimum,  the  normal  and  the  maximum 
pensionable age applicable to civil servants in central governments in the EU Member States 
between 2019 and 2023.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A divergence can be observed as some Member States’ civil services do not have minimum or 
maximum pensionable ages whereas in others there are no differences between the maximum 
pensionable age and the normal pensionable age for civil servants in central services. 

In  view  of  this,  although  this  data  collection  provides  useful  indications  as  regards  the 
respective  pensionable  ages  applicable  in  Member  States  central  services,  any  comparison 
should be approached with caution. 

The  assessment  in  2019  showed  that  four  Member  States’  civil  services  had  a  normal 
pensionable age higher than the normal pensionable age for EU staff of 66 and that the normal 
pensionable ages of all Member States’ civil services ranged from 60 to 67 years.  

The assessment in 2023 shows that five Member States’ civil services had a normal pensionable 
age higher than the normal pensionable age of the EU staff and the normal pensionable ages of 
all Member States’ civil services ranged from 60 to 68 years.  

In light of the above, the following observations are made: 

-  Since  the  amendment  of  the  SR  in  2014,  the  normal  pensionable  age  applicable  to 
statutory staff pursuant to Article 77 of the SR remains among the highest applicable 
compared with those applicable to central civil services of the Member States.  

- 

In 2023, 81%8 of responding Member States’ civil services had a normal pensionable 
age equal or inferior to the normal pensionable age for EU staff. 

-  During  the  reference period,  the average normal  pensionable age  among  responding 

Member States increased by less than one year.  

-  Following the increase of the normal pensionable age of EU staff from 60 to 66 between 
2004 and 2014, a catching-up effect in Member States’ civil services can be observed.  

-  Persisting differences among Member States’ civil services can be observed during the 

reference period.  

-  The current maximum pensionable age for the EU staff (70 years) corresponds to the 

highest standard applicable in central civil services of Member States.  

-  Minimum  retirement  age  for  EU  staff  is  among  the  lowest.  However,  by  way  of 
comparison,  for  seven  of  the  Member  States’  civil  services  with  a  minimum 
pensionable age higher than 58, there are no penalties for early retirement.9 

4. 

EVOLUTION OF LIFE EXPECTANCY OF OFFICIALS OF THE INSTITUTIONS  

The assessment of the evolution of life expectancy of staff of the EU Institutions is based on 
the demographic parameters laid down in Annex XII to the SR. The same parameters are used 
for the annual and the 5-yearly actuarial assessment of PSEO. 

Eurostat  annually  collects  these  demographic  parameters  based  on  observations  of  the 
population of participants in the scheme, comprising staff in active service and pensioners. The 

8  

IE did not reply to the written consultation launched in March 2025. For the purposes of this calculation, 
normal  pensionable  age  of  Irish  civil  servants  was  checked  against  official  online  sources  of  the  Irish 
Department 
Reform, 
https://www.publicservicepensions.gov.ie/en/topic/retirement-ages-in-the-public-service/.  

Expenditure 

Delivery 

public 

NDP 

and 

of 

9   As of 2014, early retirement  in the EU Institutions  always  results in a  significant financial penalty as the 
related pension rights are reduced by 3.5 % per year of difference between the effective retirement age and 
pensionable age. 

7 

 
 
 
information  is  received  from  the  institutions  and  agencies  whose  staff  are  members  of  the 
scheme. 

The 2023 lifetable (EULT) is a prospective10 life table built from the long-term observation of 
mortality, by age and gender, of all members of the PSEO scheme. The life tables used for the 
PSEO  assessment  are  updated  every  five  years11  to  reflect  the  most  recent  mortality 
experiences.  

4.1. 

 Methodological aspects 

Eurostat used prospective life tables for the five yearly assessments of PSEO of both 2019 and 
2023, respectively the EULT 2018 and the EULT 2023. Both life tables have been reviewed 
and validated by two different companies of independent external actuaries appointed under 
Article 13(2) of Annex XII to the SR. 

The  prospective  life  tables  factor  in  the  mortality  rates  depending  on  gender,  age  and  the 
considered year. These tables make allowances for future changes in mortality by taking into 
account observed and projected changes in mortality for a defined population throughout its 
lifetime.  For  example,  life  expectancy  at  age  65  years  in  2023  would  be  updated  using  the 
observed mortality rate for age 65 years in 2023 and the projected mortality rates for age 66 
years  in  2024,  for  age  67  years  in  2025  and  so  on,  thereby  anticipating  future  changes  in 
mortality. 

By contrast, period life tables use mortality rates from a single year (or group of years) and 
assume that those rates apply throughout the remainder of a person's life. This means that any 
subsequent changes to mortality rates would not be taken into account. A period life table is 
therefore the average number of additional years a person would live if he or she experienced 
the age-specific mortality rates of the given area and time period for the rest of their life. These 
tables take into account that mortality is on average greater when the person is older but they 
do not consider that mortality evolves with time. In this case, the future mortality is supposed 
to be exactly the same as the observed mortality today.  

The 2023 prospective EU Life Tables (EULT 2023) developed by Eurostat incorporate a trend 
of continuous increase of life expectancies over a 18 years' time horizon based on the evolution 
of mortality of the PSEO population. This table is based on the observation of the mortality 
phenomena of members of the PSEO scheme: this approach is possible given the size of the 
PSEO  population  and  avoids  potential  external  biases  which  would  occur  in  case  of  use  of 
external data.  

The use of a prospective life table corresponds to the best actuarial practice. Whereas such a 
continuous  increase  of  the  life  expectancy  is  not  certain,  these  assumptions  are  used  to 
determine  staff  members’  life  expectancy.  This  life  expectancy  is  reflected  in  the  PSEO 
liability on the basis of which the PCR is adjusted yearly in order to ensure that the PSEO is in 
balance.  

Finally, in the calculation of life expectancy, Eurostat methodological approach (shared by the 
external actuaries who validated the methodology and results) was not to over-weigh the years 
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach reflects the best actuarial practice and was 
also agreed by Member States in the Article 83 Working Group.  

10   A prospective life table is a type of life table that uses future projected mortality rates rather than current or 
historical ones. It is designed to estimate life expectancy and survival probabilities under the assumption that 
mortality  will  change  over  time—usually  improving  due  to  advances  in  healthcare,  living  standards,  and 
technology. 

11   Article 9 of Annex XII to the SR. 

8 

 
 
 
4.2. 

 Comparison of the 2019 and 2023 life expectancy of EU staff  

Mortality of men and women is different, hence both the 2019 and the 2023 actuarial life tables 
are computed separately by gender and age. 

Men                                                                                     Women 

Age 

Life 
Exp. 
2019 

Life 
Exp. 
2023 

18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 

65,9 
64,9 
64,0 
63,0 
62,0 
61,0 
60,0 
59,0 
58,1 
57,1 
56,1 
55,1 
54,1 
53,1 
52,1 
51,2 
50,2 
49,2 
48,2 
47,2 
46,2 
45,3 
44,3 
43,3 
42,3 
41,3 
40,4 
39,4 
38,4 
37,5 
36,5 
35,6 
34,6 
33,7 
32,7 
31,8 
30,8 
29,9 
29,0 
28,1 
27,1 
26,2 
25,3 
24,4 
23,6 
22,7 

66,1 
65,2 
64,2 
63,2 
62,2 
61,2 
60,3 
59,3 
58,3 
57,3 
56,3 
55,4 
54,4 
53,4 
52,4 
51,4 
50,4 
49,5 
48,5 
47,5 
46,5 
45,5 
44,6 
43,6 
42,6 
41,6 
40,6 
39,7 
38,7 
37,7 
36,8 
35,8 
34,8 
33,9 
32,9 
31,9 
31,0 
30,1 
29,1 
28,2 
27,3 
26,3 
25,4 
24,5 
23,6 
22,7 

Increase 
of the life 
exp. 
(2019 – 
2023) 
0,212 
0,216 
0,220 
0,224 
0,229 
0,233 
0,237 
0,242 
0,248 
0,252 
0,255 
0,259 
0,263 
0,266 
0,270 
0,273 
0,275 
0,278 
0,280 
0,282 
0,283 
0,284 
0,282 
0,281 
0,278 
0,274 
0,269 
0,262 
0,253 
0,244 
0,233 
0,223 
0,211 
0,199 
0,186 
0,174 
0,161 
0,148 
0,135 
0,122 
0,109 
0,096 
0,084 
0,073 
0,062 
0,053 

Age 

Life 
Exp. 
2019 

Life 
Exp. 
2023 

18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 

68,4 
67,4 
66,4 
65,5 
64,5 
63,5 
62,5 
61,5 
60,5 
59,5 
58,5 
57,5 
56,5 
55,6 
54,6 
53,6 
52,6 
51,6 
50,6 
49,6 
48,6 
47,7 
46,7 
45,7 
44,7 
43,7 
42,8 
41,8 
40,8 
39,8 
38,9 
37,9 
37,0 
36,0 
35,0 
34,1 
33,1 
32,2 
31,3 
30,3 
29,4 
28,5 
27,6 
26,7 
25,8 
24,9 

68,9 
67,9 
66,9 
65,9 
65,0 
64,0 
63,0 
62,0 
61,0 
60,0 
59,0 
58,0 
57,0 
56,0 
55,1 
54,1 
53,1 
52,1 
51,1 
50,1 
49,1 
48,1 
47,2 
46,2 
45,2 
44,2 
43,2 
42,3 
41,3 
40,3 
39,3 
38,4 
37,4 
36,4 
35,5 
34,5 
33,5 
32,6 
31,6 
30,7 
29,8 
28,8 
27,9 
27,0 
26,1 
25,2 

Increase 
of the 
life exp. 
(2019 – 
2023) 
0,486 
0,486 
0,486 
0,485 
0,484 
0,483 
0,482 
0,482 
0,482 
0,482 
0,482 
0,483 
0,484 
0,484 
0,485 
0,485 
0,486 
0,487 
0,486 
0,487 
0,486 
0,486 
0,485 
0,483 
0,481 
0,478 
0,474 
0,470 
0,465 
0,459 
0,453 
0,445 
0,437 
0,429 
0,421 
0,412 
0,402 
0,393 
0,383 
0,372 
0,361 
0,351 
0,340 
0,328 
0,316 
0,305 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
64 
65 
66 

21,8 
20,9 
20,1 

21,8 
21,0 
20,1 

0,045 
0,038 
0,039 

64 
65 
66 

24,0 
23,1 
22,3 

24,3 
23,4 
22,5 

0,293 
0,281 
0,270 

The comparison of the 2019 and 2023 life expectancy for staff members in active status (18 to 
66 years old12) shows a limited increase of life expectancy.  

The 2023 life table for men shows a very limited increase of life expectancy ranging from 0,212 
years (2 months, 17 days) at younger active ages to 0,039 years (14 days) at normal pensionable 
age.  

The 2023 life table for women shows a limited increase of life expectancy ranging from 0,486 
years (5 months, 27 days) at younger active ages, to 0,270 years (3 months, 9 days) at retirement 
age.  

On average, the evolution of the EU life table shows a very limited increased life expectancy 
of  staff  members  of  the  institutions,  i.e.  4  months  at  younger  age  and  2  months  at  normal 
pensionable age. 

When looking into previous assessments of life expectancy, the 2018 life table for men showed 
a very limited increase of the life expectancy ranging from 0,078 years (28 days) at younger 
active ages to 0,184 years (2 months, 7 days) at normal pensionable age. The 2018 life table 
for  women  showed  a  limited  increase  of  the  life  expectancy  ranging  from  0,559  years  (6 
months, 24 days) at younger active ages, to 0,697 years (8 months, 14 days) at retirement ages. 
On average, the evolution of the EU life table shows a limited increased life expectancy of staff 
members of the institutions, i.e. 4 months at younger age and 5 months at normal pensionable 
age. 

Between 2014 and 2023, life expectancy for men increased by 0,29 years (3 months, 16 days) 
at younger active ages and by 0,223 years (2 months, 21 days) at normal pensionable age. Life 
expectancy for women increased by 1,045 years (1 year, 16 days) at younger active ages and 
by 0,967 years (11 months, 18 days) at normal pensionable age.  

5. 

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MEMBER STATES 

In addition to the assessment under point 3 and 4 of the present report, the Commission has 
also considered some developments in the pension systems of the Member States. 

5.1.  Update of the pensionable age in light of the evolution of life expectancy 

In most Member States,  the pensionable  age is  updated, either regularly  or occasionally, to 
reflect life expectancy’s developments.  

Based on the information provided by the responding Member States in the framework of the 
Article 83 Working Group, different methods have been identified among Member States as 
regards the practice of updating pensionable age in light of the evolution of life expectancy.  

12   It shall be noted that under Article 52 of the  SR it is possible  to work  until the age 67 (if justified in the 

interests of the service) and 70 (exceptionally). 

10 

 
 
 
 
Pensionable age and life expectancy

No link

Strong link: regular 
updates

Weak link: occasional 
updates

Number of Member 
States

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

AT, BE, BG, CZ, DE, EE,
ES, HR, HU, LT, LU, MT,
RO

FR, IE, PL, SE, SI

CY, DK, EL, FI, IT, LV, NL,
PT, SK, EU

5.2.  Observed developments in the pension systems of the Member States 

During the time scope of the report, major events impacted pension systems in the EU. The 
COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crises led to periods of unprecedent high inflation and 
low  economic  output,  jeopardizing  the  economic  condition  of  many  EU  citizens.  Though 
temporary measures, Member States focused on improvements to indexation, higher minimum 
pension levels, and protection for vulnerable people13. 

Under the current national legislations, the pensionable age of many Member States is set to 
rise in the next decades. However, it will be lower than 66 by 2030 for most Member States 
and  will  reach  an  average  of  67  only  by  2070.  This  is  mainly  due  to  planned  convergence 
between men and women retirement ages or significant gains in life expectancy 14. Such planned 
increases  of  pensionable  ages  reflect  the  legislation  agreed  to  in  the  past  years.  Currently, 
instead,  Member States  are shifting their focus  from  raising pensionable age and tightening 
early retirement rules towards providing incentives to stay in work longer and to combine work 
with  retirement15.  In  a  few  cases  that  highlight  such  shift  of  focus,  Member  States  have 
introduced reforms reducing (scheduled increases of) the pensionable age.16 

Finally, the ongoing and planned reforms confirm the trends highlighted above. In particular, 
some Member States are planning to improve the level of benefits or allow to combine early 
pension  with  work.  In  addition,  poverty  reduction  measures  are  being  discussed  in  some 
Member States, while bonuses and more flexible rules to encourage longer working, including 
beyond the pensionable age, remain on the agenda of some Member States17. 

CONCLUSION 

(1) Since 2019, some Member States increased the normal pensionable age applicable to 
their central administration’s civil servants. Yet at the end of 2023, around 81% of the 

13 European Commission and Social Protection Committee, 2024 Pension Adequacy report, page 60. 
14 European Commission and Economic Policy Committee, 2024 Ageing Report, pages 22 – 23. 
15 European Commission and Social Protection Committee, 2024 Pension Adequacy report, page 61. 
16 European Commission and Social Protection Committee, 2024 Pension Adequacy report, page 67. 
17 European Commission and Social Protection Committee, 2024 Pension Adequacy report, page 72. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
responding  Member  States  had  a  normal  pensionable  age  equal  or  inferior  to  the 
statutory pensionable age set out at 66 years for EU staff members.  

(2) The  evolution  of  the  EU  life  tables  shows  a  very  limited  average  increase  of  life 

expectancy of staff members of the institutions during the reference period.  

(3) Given the observed limited evolution of pensionable age in the national central civil 
services and the very limited increase of EU staff members’ life expectancy, the current 
pensionable age of 66 years for EU staff is assessed as appropriate and corresponding 
to the highest standards applicable in the national civil services of the Member States.  

(4) The  above  assessment  is  also  confirmed  by  the  analysis  of  the  developments  in  the 
Member States. The pensionable age of EU staff remains among the highest applicable 
compared to those in force under the national pension systems of the Member States, 
also considering the planned pension reforms. In addition, recent developments show a 
trend  of  focusing  on  providing  incentives  to  work  longer,  including  beyond  the 
pensionable  age,  and  combining  work  with  retirement,  rather  than  on  increasing 
pensionable age. 

(5) Therefore,  at  the  current  stage,  there  are  no  grounds  for  submitting  a  proposal  for 
amending the statutory pensionable age set out at 66 years under Article 77 of the SR 

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