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Official information and services: belgium.be Belgian Federal Public Services

Time credit and career interruption

The federal Parliament adopted and approved the Pension bill on 28 May 2026. The law was published in the Belgian Official Journal on 1 June 2026. The overview on the page Pension reform has been updated. 
  • We automatically apply the new legislation. You do not need to take any action yourself.
  • We still need to update the information on this page. The Pension bill introduces many changes, so this may take some time.

I am considering interrupting my career by means of time credit, career interruption or care credit

You want to check which possibilities you have to interrupt your career yourself? Please visit www.breakatwork.be.

Your application to interrupt your career is always first treated by your employer and after that by the service that pays the possible allowance. It is the payment body that determines which scheme you fall under.

The Pensions Service is only responsible for the application of the pension legislation.

What is the influence on my pension?

I work as:

Time credit

By means of time credit (with motivation), you can, as an employee in the private sector, temporarily work less or interrupt your career.

Your application for time credit will first be treated by your employer and after that by the NEO. You want to check which possibilities you have to interrupt your career yourself? Please visit www.breakatwork.be.

The Pensions Service is only responsible for the application of the pension legislation.

Influence of time credit on your employee pension

You are 60 or over and you work full-time? In this case, you can also work less until you retire by means of a time credit-landing job (part-time work for people nearing the end of their careers).

Exceptions exist, where you can apply for a time credit - landing job before the age of 60.

Influence of time credit - landing job on your employee pension

As an employee, you can interrupt your career by means of the time credit scheme

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

Your period of time credit is taken into account for at most:

  • 36 months for the motivation 'training' if you are receiving a recognised training;
  • 51 months for the motivation 'care':
    • for your child or children younger than 8;
    • for a severely ill family member to the 2nd degree;
    • for your disabled child younger than 21;
    • for an underage severely ill child who is a part of your household;
    • you render palliative care.

Please note:

  • the maximum duration is always maintained and therefore not converted in the case of a half-time or 1/5 time credit.

  • you may not combine the maximum duration for the motivations 'training' and 'care'. The time credit you take up for one motivation, is always deducted from the maximum duration for another motivation.
    Example: if you took up five months of time credit with the motivation 'training', you may still take up 46 (= 51 - 5) months at most with the motivation 'care'.

  • you cannot buy off additional years.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO and you have not yet exceeded the maximum duration, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of time credit on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

Exception: we calculate the pension amount for your period of time credit on the basis of the low fictitious salary if you:

  • are over 57;
    and
  • interrupt your employment completely within the framework of your time credit.

As an employee of over 60, you can interrupt your career by means of the time credit - landing job scheme

Exceptions exist, where you can apply for a time credit-landing job before the age of 60.

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

The period of time credit - landing job for which you receive an allowance from the NEO is completely taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for:

  • the first 312 days of time credit - landing job (which equates to five years of 4/5 or 2 years of 50 % employment) from the 60th birthday on the basis of the normal fictitious salary;
    Please note! Periods of time credit - landing job which you took up after your 60th birthday and that fall between the start of 2012 and the end of 2014, are deducted from these 312 days.

  • the other days of time credit - landing job on the basis of the limited fictitious salary.

Exceptions:

  • for landing jobs that started between 31 December 2014 and 18 January 2017, a transitional measure was approved on 4 December 2020. Thanks to this measure, the same calculation applies to this period as to the landing jobs that started between the start of 2012 and the end of 2014.
    We will automatically investigate whether this change has an influence on your pension calculation. You do not have to do anything yourself.

  • we calculate your pension amount for the full time credit - landing job period on the basis of the normal fictitious salary if you:
    • are employed in the construction sector and you have to stop working for health reasons;
    • work for an undertaking that has been recognised as being in difficulty or in restructuration;
    • perform nightwork;
    • perform a tough job.

Career interruption

By means of career interruption, you can, as a contractual civil servant in a non-Flemish government service or as an employee, temporarily work less or interrupt your career.

Your application for career interruption will first be treated by your employer and after that by the NEO. You want to check which possibilities you have to interrupt your career yourself? Please visit www.breakatwork.be.

The Pensions Service is only responsible for the application of the pension legislation.

Influence of 'regular' career interruption on your employee pension

You are 55 and you are working full-time? In this case, you can work less until you retire by means of a career interruption - end-of-career scheme.

Influence of career interruption - end-of-career scheme on your employee pension

As an employee in a non-Flemish government service, you can interrupt your career by means of the 'regular' career interruption scheme.

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

The maximum duration that will be taken into account for your pension depends on the type:

  • 12 months for full or partial career interruption;
  • 60 months for 1/5 career interruption (= 4/5 or 80 % employment), which means that you can work 4/5 without this influencing your pension for at most five years.

This maximum duration can be prolonged by an extra 12 months if you simultaneously:

  1. reduce your work regime to 50 %;
    and
  2. you receive an increased NEO benefit on the basis of diminished professional activities because of the birth or adoption of a second or following child.

Please note:

  • you may not combine the maximum duration for the several types.
    Example: if you took up 6 months of full-time career interruption, you can still take up 30 (= 60 - 12/2 X 5) months of 4/5 career interruption at most.
  • you cannot buy off additional years.

How does this influence your employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of career interruption is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of time credit with a NEO allowance on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

As a contractual civil servant of over 55 in a non-Flemish government service, you can interrupt your career by means of the career interruption - end-of-career scheme.

There are exceptions to the age limit of 55. Find out more on the NEO website.

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

If you receive a NEO allowance, your entire period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme is taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme on the basis of the normal fictitious salary:

  • for the first 12 months before the month in which you turn 60 for a partial career interruption by 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 or for a switch from at least 75 % to 50 % employment or
    for the first 60 months before the month in which you turn 60 for career interruption by 1/5; Please note: periods of 'regular' career interruption you took up after 2012, will be deducted.

  • for the period of career interruption that follows the month in which you turn 60. The number of months depends on your interruption percentage:
    Career interruption Number of months
    1/2 = 50 % 24
    1/3 = 33,33 % 36
    1/4 = 25 % 48
    1/5 = 20 % 60
    from 75 % to 50 % 32

     
  • if you exercise a tough job and reduce your work by 1/5;

  • if you exercise a tough job that features on the list of shortage occupations and you reduce your work by 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2;

  • if you work for an undertaking in restructuration and you reduce your work by 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2 or switch from at least 75 % to 50 % employment.

The NEO will decide if you qualify for the application of one of these three exceptions.

For all other periods of career interruption - end-of-career scheme, we calculate your pension amount on the basis of the limited fictitious salary.

Flemish care credit

The Flemish care credit replaces the career interruption scheme and career interruption - end-of-career scheme for the Flemish government, Flemish education and the Flemish local and provincial authorities staff since 2 September 2016.

Your application for care credit will be treated by the Department of Work and Social Economy of the Flemish government.

The Pensions Service is only responsible for the application of the pension legislation.

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

I am a contractual worker

In this case, at most the months mentioned below will be taken into account for your statutory pension as an employee:

  • 18 months of full-time care credit;
  • 36 months of half-time care credit;
  • 90 months of 1/5th care credit.

Please note:

  • you already took up periods of career interruption or career interruption - end-of-career scheme in the past? We will deduct these months from the abovementioned maxima for your statutory pension as an employee.
  • the months you took up in the framework of a thematic leave are not deducted from the maxima.
  • you cannot buy off additional years.

How does this influence your employee pension?

If you receive an allowance and you have not exceeded the maximum duration, your period of Flemish care credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of Flemish care credit on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

I am an established civil servant

In this case, at most the months mentioned below will be taken into account for your statutory pension:

  • 12 months of full-time or half-time care credit;
  • 60 months of 1/5th care credit.

Please note:

  • you already took up periods of career interruption or career interruption - end-of-career scheme in the past? We will deduct these months from the abovementioned maxima for your civil service pension.
  • the months you took up in the framework of a thematic leave are not deducted from the maxima.
  • you cannot buy off additional years.

Find out more about the consequences of taking up Flemish care credit on the Flemish government website.

In the past, I have interrupted my career by means of time credit, career interruption or care credit

The system of career interruption with a NEO allowance exists since 1985. Over time, this system has undergone several amendments of the law:

  • until 2002, there was one system for both employees in the private sector and contractual civil servants.
  • in 2002, the time credit for employees in the private sector is created. The contractual civil servants are still using the career interruption system.
  • In September 2016, the Flemish care credit is launched for the Flemish government, Flemish education and the Flemish local and provincial authorities staff.

Depending on the sector you worked in and the period in which you interrupted your career, you therefore fall within the scheme of career interruption, time credit or the Flemish care credit. We will put you on your way below.

I worked as:

I worked as an employee in the private sector and:

interrupted my career within the framework of an 'end-of-career scheme'/'landing job' in the period of:

I worked as an employee or contractual civil servant in a non-Flemish government service and:

I worked as a contractual civil servant with the Flemish government, Flemish education, the Flemish local and provincial authorities and:

Career interruption

From 1 January 2012 until today

From 1 January 1996 up to and including 31 December 2011

From 1 January 1985 up to and including 31 December 1995

Career interruption - 'end-of-career scheme':

From 1 September 2012 until today

From 1 January 1996 up to and including 31 August 2012

From 1 January 1985 up to and including 31 December 1995

Career interruption - general scheme

My career interruption started in the period from 1 January 1996 up to and including 31 December 2011

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

12 months at most will be taken into account for your pension + 24 months if you or your spouse receive child benefits for a child younger than 6.

In the case of partial career interruption (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5), we convert the months in relation to the interruption percentage. An overview:

Career interruption Basis (in months) Extra for child < 6 (in months) Maximum (in months)
Complete = 100 % 12 24 36
1/2 = 50 % 24 48 72
1/3 = 33,33 % 36 72 108
1/4 = 25 % 48 96 144
1/5 = 20 % 60 120 180

You may not combine the maximum duration for the several types.

Example: if you already took up 6 months of full-time career interruption, you can still take up the following:

  • 6 months of full-time career interruption;
  • 12 months of 1/2 career interruption;
  • 18 months of 1/3 career interruption;
  • 24 months of 1/4 career interruption;
  • 30 months of 1/5 career interruption.

You can buy off additional months of career interruption for your employee pension by paying a voluntary regularisation contribution. A total of 60 months of career interruption at most can be taken into account for your pension. If, for example, 12 months have already been taken into account for your pension, you can buy off a further 48 months.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO and you have not yet exceeded the maximum duration, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of career interruption on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

My career interruption started in the period from 1 January 1985 up to and including 31 December 1995

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

The maximum duration that will be taken into account for your pension depends on the type:

  • Full career interruption:
    12 months at most will be taken into account for your pension
    + 24 months if you or your spouse receive child benefits for a child younger than 6
    + 12 months if you already took up 12 months of full career interruption before 1 September 1986 and you are caring for a child for whom you do not receive child benefits.
    You can buy off additional months of career interruption for the employee pension by paying a voluntary regularisation contribution. 60 months at most can be taken into account for your pension.

  • Partial career interruption (halving of the career) (from 100 % to 50 %):
    • After the age of 50: is completely taken into account for your employee pension.
    • Before the age of 50: is not taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO and you have not yet exceeded the maximum duration, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of career interruption on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

Career interruption - end-of-career scheme

My career interruption - end-of-career scheme started in the period from 1 September 1996 up to and including 31 August 2012.

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

If you receive a NEO allowance and you are at least 50 years old, your complete period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme is taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

My career interruption - end-of-career scheme 'halving of the career' started in the period from 1 January 1985 up to and including 31 December 1995

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

If you receive a NEO allowance and you are at least 50 years old, your complete period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme ('halving of the career') is taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of career interruption - end-of-career scheme on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

Time credit

From 1 January 2015 until today

From 1 January 2012 up to and including 31 December 2014

From 1 January 2002 up to and including 31 December 2011

Time credit - landing job

From 1 January 2015 until today

From 1 January 2012 up to and including 31 December 2014

From 1 January 2002 up to and including 31 December 2011

Time credit - general

My time credit started in the period from 1 January 2012 up to and including 31 December 2014.

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

The maximum duration that will be taken into account for your pension depends on whether you take up time credit:

Please note: time credit that was taken up before the end of 2011, will be deducted from the maximum time credit duration from 2012 onwards. You took up more time credit before the end of 2011 than is possible from 2012 onwards? In that case, you are no longer entitled to time credit.

Time credit without motivation

12 months at most will be taken into account for your pension.

In the case of half-time (1/2) or 1/5 time credit, the months will be converted in relation to the interruption percentage. An overview:

Time credit Maximum (in months)
Full 12
1/2 = 50 % 24
1/5 = 20 % 60

You may not combine the maximum duration for the several types.

Example: if you already took up 6 months of full-time time credit, you can still take up the following:

  • 6 months of full-time time credit;
  • 12 months of 1/2 time credit;
  • 30 months of 1/5 career interruption.

You cannot buy off additional years.

Time credit with motivation

Maxima that are taken into account for your employee pension:

  • 36 months if you:
    • care for your child younger than 8;
    • care for a severely ill family member to the 2nd degree;
    • render palliative care for an ill family member to the 2nd degree;
    • receive a recognised training.

  • 48 months if you care for:
    • your disabled child younger than 21;
    • an underage severely ill child who is a part of your household;

The maximum duration is always maintained and therefore not converted in the case of a half-time or 1/5th time credit.

You may not combine the maximum duration for the several motivations. The time credit you take up for one motivation, is always deducted from the maximum duration for another motivation.

Example: if you already took up five months of time credit for the motivation 'recognised training', you can still take up 43 (= 48 - 5) months at most for the motivation 'care disabled child younger than 21'.

You cannot buy off additional years.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO and you have not yet exceeded the maximum duration, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of time credit on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

My time credit started in the period from 1 January 2002 up to and including 31 December 2011

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

The maximum duration that will be taken into account for your pension depends on the type:

  • full or half-time time credit:
    36 months at most will be taken into account for your pension.

  • 1/5 time credit (= 4/5 or 80 % employment):
    60 months at most will be taken into account for your pension.

You can combine the maximum duration of 36 months for the full/part-time time credit and of 60 months for 1/5 time credit.

You cannot buy off additional years.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO and you have not yet exceeded the maximum duration, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for your period of time credit on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.

Time credit - landing job

My time credit - landing job started in the period from 1 January 2012 up to and including 31 December 2014

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

The period of time credit - landing job for which you receive an allowance from the NEO is completely taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for a period of time credit - landing job on the basis of the limited fictitious salary.

Exception: we calculate your pension amount on the basis of the normal fictitious salary:

  • for the first 312 assimilated days reduced by the days of time credit without motivation that were already taken up since 2012;
  • for the first 312 assimilated days after the month of your 60th birthday;
  • if you:
    • work for an undertaking that has been recognised as being in difficulty or in restructuration;
    • exercised a tough job during a number of preceding years (only in the case of 1/5 time credit);
    • exercised a tough job that features on the list of shortage occupations during a number of preceding years (only in the case of half-time time credit).

The NEO will decide if you qualify for the application of one of these three exceptions.

Your time credit - landing job started in the period from 1 January 2002 up to and including 31 December 2011

What is the maximum duration that will be taken into account for my pension?

If you receive a NEO allowance and you are over 50, your complete period of career interruption - landing job is taken into account for your employee pension.

What is the influence on my employee pension?

If you receive an allowance from the NEO, your period of time credit is taken into account:

  • to check whether or not you can retire early;
  • for your pension amount.

We calculate your pension amount for a period of time credit - landing job on the basis of the normal fictitious salary.