Greece extends early‑retirement options for several veteran insurance groups

Thousands of Greek insured persons can still retire before the standard age of 62 under legacy pension rules. The most advantaged groups include mothers with minor children who were insured with the former IKΑ before 1993, public‑sector employees who completed 25 years of service by 2010‑2012, and workers in heavy or unsanitary occupations with the required years of service. Depending on the year they qualified, eligible retirees may exit as early as age 58.5 and receive either a reduced pension (up to a 30 % cut) or, for some categories such as triple‑birth mothers or certain public‑sector staff, a full pension without an upper age limit. All applicants must have at least 15 years of contributions (4 500 days) and meet specific recent‑service day requirements. The exact age limits vary: 58½–61 years for many public‑sector cases, 58 years for heavy‑occupation municipal workers, and up to 62 years for those taking reduced benefits. The pension amount is adjusted according to the individual insurance record, and beneficiaries are advised to review their contribution history before deciding.