Greece pension rules allow early retirement from ages 55 to 60

Specific categories of insured individuals in Greece may be eligible to retire up to 12 years earlier than the standard retirement age of 67. Depending on specific provisions for heavy or unhealthy labor, public sector employment, or large families, retirement ages can range from 55 to 60.

For women insured through IKA who worked in heavy or unhealthy professions, retirement eligibility depends on when they met specific insurance day requirements. Those who completed 4,500 total days of insurance and 3,600 heavy labor days by 2010 could retire at 55. For those meeting these criteria in 2011 or 2012, the age limits are 56 and 57, respectively.

In the public sector, local government employees who completed at least 12 years of heavy labor insurance by the end of 2012 may retire at 58. For those who completed this requirement after January 1, 2013, or for new insured individuals, the age limit is 60. For many others, the primary goal is accumulating 40 years of insurance to retire at 62, which is five years before the general age limit.