Women account for seven out of 10 new pension applications submitted to EFKA, with transitional rules allowing many to retire before age 62 in 2026.
The options depend on transitional provisions and rights established in previous years. According to EFKA data, the most favorable categories include mothers of minors insured before 1993, women in former DEKO public utility and bank funds, public sector parents and parents of three children, and insured women who established rights to reduced pensions. Both the year an employee completed required insurance time and the age reached under older limits determine eligibility.
Rules for IKA Insured Mothers
For women insured under the former IKA fund before 1993, accumulating 5,500 insurance days alongside having a minor child forms the core requirement. Women with 5,500 insurance days and a minor child by 2010 who reached age 55 by 2018 can receive a full pension at age 61, even if reaching that age in 2026, provided they have not already taken a reduced pension.
Women with 5,500 insurance days and a minor child in 2010 or 2011 who reached the old age limits of 50 or 52 in 2017 or 2018 can receive a reduced pension. Their transitional age limits are 58 years and 5 months or 60 years and 2 months, even if completed in 2026. For those with 5,500 days and a minor child in 2012 who turned 55 by 2018, reduced retirement is available at age 61, while those turning 55 in 2019 or later must wait until age 62.
DEKO and Bank Fund Provisions
Mothers in former DEKO public utility and bank funds also retain transitional retirement options. Mothers who completed 25 years of service in 2010, had a minor child, and turned 50 by 2017 can retire on a full pension at an age limit of up to 58 years and 5 months, even if reaching that age limit during 2026. After 2017, transitional limits increase gradually to 60 years and 2 months, then 61 years and 3 months.
Similar rules apply to mothers in these funds who completed 25 years of service with a minor child in 2011 and turned 52 by 2018. Mothers completing 25 years of service with a minor child in 2012 who turned 55 by 2018 can receive a full pension with a transitional limit of up to 61 years, even if that limit is completed in 2026.
Public Sector Parents and Reduced Pensions
Public sector parents with 25 years of service and a minor child in 2011 who reached age 52 in 2017 can retire from age 58 and 5 months, while those reaching 52 in 2018 see their limit rise to 60 years and 2 months. Those with 25 years and a minor child in 2012 who turned 55 in 2017 have a limit of 59 years and 6 months. Public sector employees turning 55 in 2019 can retire on a full pension at 62 years and 6 months if completing that limit in 2026.
Public sector parents of three children form a distinct category. Those with 21 years of insurance in 2011 who turned 52 in 2017 can retire at age 58 and 5 months, or at 60 years and 2 months if turning 52 in 2018. Parents of three children with 23 years of insurance in 2012 can exit at 59 years and 6 months if turning 55 in 2017, or at age 61 if turning 55 in 2018. Rights can be exercised in 2026 if the age limit is met that year.
Reduced pension rules for public sector workers first insured before 1993 require meeting age limits of 55, 56, 58, or 60 by Dec. 31, 2022, alongside 25 years of service in 2010, 2011, or 2012. Workers with 25 years in 2011 who turned 56 by late 2022, or with 25 years in 2012 who turned 58 by late 2022, can take a reduced pension at any time. Those reaching those ages from Jan. 1, 2023 onward lose early exit rights and must wait until age 62. Separate rules apply to women insured under heavy and unhealthy work stamps, allowing earlier retirement under specific conditions.
