Those who are calculating their exit from the job market will have to look at a new reference in 2027. The normal age for accessing the old-age pension will rise again in Portugal, following the evolution of life expectancy at 65 years of age.
According to data from the National Statistics Institute (), life expectancy at age 65, in the period 2023-2025, was estimated at 20.19 years for the total population. The value represents an increase of 0.17 years, around two months, compared to the previous three years. It is this indicator that serves as the basis for calculating the normal age for accessing retirement by age under the general Social Security regime.
Retirement without cuts only at 66 years and 11 months
In 2027, the normal age for accessing old-age retirement will be 66 years and 11 months. In practice, this is the reference age for claiming the pension without penalty, except in cases where the law allows a lower personal retirement age or early access without cuts.
The new age represents two months more compared to 2026, the year in which the normal retirement age is set at 66 years and 9 months. In 2025, the reference had been 66 years and 7 months.
Why does age go up again?
Retirement age is linked to the evolution of average life expectancy. Every year, IBGE publishes the provisional value of life expectancy at age 65. This data serves to determine the normal age for accessing retirement by age and also the sustainability factor applicable to certain early retirements.
As life expectancy increases again in the 2023-2025 period, the normal retirement age also increases. The increase is two months, going from 66 years and 9 months, in 2026, to 66 years and 11 months, in 2027.
What happened in previous years?
The recent evolution of the retirement age has seen some unusual moves. In 2023, the normal age for accessing the pension fell by three months compared to 2022, remaining at 66 years and 4 months. In 2024, it remained at the same value.
This drop and subsequent stabilization were associated with the decline in average life expectancy, influenced by the mortality recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among the older population. After this period, the age rose again: 66 years and 7 months in 2025, 66 years and 9 months in 2026 and now 66 years and 11 months in 2027.
Not everyone has to wait until normal age
The normal retirement age does not mean that all workers have to wait exactly until that date. In Portugal there is the so-called personal retirement age. According to Social Security, for each year of deductions over 40 years of contributory career, the personal retirement age is reduced by four months.
This means that workers with long careers can have a pension access age lower than the normal age defined for the year in question, without suffering an early penalty.
Long careers can make a difference
The details of the years of discounts can be decisive. A worker with 41 years of contributions can reduce their personal retirement age by four months. At age 42, the reduction increases to eight months. At 43 years old, it takes 12 months. And so on, as long as the applicable rules are complied with.
Therefore, the most important question is not just what the normal retirement age is in 2027. For many workers, the decisive question is knowing what their personal retirement age will be, calculated based on their contribution career.
Early retirement requires careful accounts
Anyone who wants to leave before the normal age, or before the personal retirement age, must be aware of the penalties. Early retirement may imply permanent cuts in the value of the pension, depending on the applicable regime, the years of deductions, the worker’s age and the number of months in advance.
In some cases, a reduction may be applied for each month in advance. In others, the social security factor may also come into play. Therefore, applying for a pension before the right age can impact the amount received each month.
The simulator can avoid surprises
Before proceeding with the retirement application, it is advisable to consult Social Security Direct. The pension simulator allows you to estimate the access age, the likely value of the pension and the impact of different scenarios. This simulation is especially useful for those who have a long career, periods without discounts, self-employment, discounts abroad or doubts about early retirement.
It is also important to confirm that all years of deductions are correctly recorded in the contribution career.
What changes for those planning to retire in 2027?
The increase to 66 years and 11 months could change the plans of those close to retirement. Two months seems short, but it can make a difference in the date of the request, in the organization of one’s professional life, in agreements with the employer or in decisions about early retirement. Anyone who was planning on retiring in 2027 must confirm whether the new normal age applies to their case or whether the contributory career allows them to leave early without cuts.
The rule of thumb
In 2027, the normal age for accessing old-age retirement increases to 66 years and 11 months. This will be the reference point for requesting a pension without penalty under the general Social Security regime. However, those with more than 40 years of contributions can benefit from the personal retirement age, which reduces four months for each additional year of their contribution career.
In the end, the official age is just the starting point. To know when you can request the uncut pension, each worker must confirm their contribution career, calculate their personal retirement age and simulate the value before making a decision.
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