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Adaptations January 2026

Every year in January, a number of adaptations are made to the pensions and benefits paid by the Pensions Service. On this page, you will find an overview of these adaptations.

Your pension or other benefits that are paid by the Pensions Service can also change because of:

With every change:

If you are entitled to a raise or change, we will automatically take the necessary steps.

You do not have to do anything!

Increase of the age condition for the survivor’s pension

From 2026, the minimum age will be raised by 1 year.

Your spouse passes away in 2026? You, as the surviving spouse, have to be at least 51 years old at the time of decease to be entitled to a survivor's pension.

Find out more about the survivor's pension

Pension bonus

As of 31 December 2025, the 2024 - 2025 pension bonus build-up has been discontinued.

From 1 January 2026, however, you can build up a new bonus if you meet the new conditions.

Find out more about the 2024-2025 pension bonus.

Find out more about the bonus from 2026

Professional activity limits

You have retired? Or your spouse has retired and is receiving a household rate pension? In this case you may, under certain conditions, earn an additional income.
In some cases, your income may not exceed the permitted limits. These amounts are subject to revision annually in January.

Find out more about the professional activity limits

Payroll tax

We deduct the payroll tax from all taxable benefits. This is an advance on the personal income tax that is transferred to the Federal Public Service (FPS) Finance.
The amount of the payroll tax is subject to revision annually in January.

Find out more about the payroll tax

Amounts subject to attachment

The Pensions Service can deduct a part of your pension (attachment):

  • at the request of creditors (tax, financial or other institutions),
  • after a judicial decision if you do not pay maintenance.

The amount of the deduction is determined on the basis of brackets. These brackets are subject to annual revision in January.

Find out more about pension attachments.

Wage ceiling (for employee pensions only)

Your total annual wages exceed the wage ceiling? If so, we limit the wages to this ceiling for the pension calculation.
The wage ceiling applies for a full year of 312 full-time worked or assimilated days and is fixed annually.

Find out more about the wage ceiling