Women’s retirement age rises by six months from July 1
Starting July 1, 2026, women will begin to retire later as part of the process to equalize the retirement age with that of men. Currently, women can apply for an old-age pension at age 61 years and 6 months. However, beginning on July 1, this eligibility will change, and women will be eligible to apply only after reaching age 62.
The standard retirement age for women will increase by six months each year, starting on July 1. By 2028, this age will reach 63 years, matching that of men.
However, women who have given birth to and raised five or more children by the time they are 8 years old will see their standard retirement age reduced by 3 years. Therefore, starting on July 1, these women will be able to retire at age 59.
To qualify for an old-age pension in the Republic of Moldova, individuals must have a minimum contribution period of 15 years. Under these circumstances, the pension will be calculated proportionally, resulting in a reduced amount. To receive a full pension, a total contribution period of 34 years is necessary.
Applications and the required documents for determining the pension must be submitted within 90 days of meeting the retirement criteria. Individuals with an electronic signature can submit their applications online through the official website of the National Social Insurance House.
If the 90-day period is exceeded, the pension will be established based on the date the last necessary document is submitted. The application will be processed within 60 days from the receipt of all required documents.
People can apply for an early retirement pension for a long career if they have completed a contribution period that is at least five years longer than the standard period for men (39 years) and at least three years longer for women (37 years).
To protect Moldovan citizens working abroad, the authorities have established social security agreements with 23 countries, of which 18 are currently in effect. These agreements enable the aggregation of contribution periods accrued in different countries when a person does not meet the required period in any one country. Each country pays pensions in proportion to the contribution periods completed within its territory.
According to the National Social Insurance House, following the indexation on April 1, the average old-age pension in the Republic of Moldova is 4,450 lei. The minimum pension is 3,264 lei, while individuals with at least 40 years of contributions receive a pension of 3,525 lei.
Approximately 97,000 of the approximately 670,000 pensioners in the Republic of Moldova receive the minimum pension. Additionally, about 6,000 pensioners receive average pensions of around 25,000 lei, the highest in the public pension system.
