Notice period at retirement in Belgium
Around retirement the ordinary notice rules apply in principle. There is one exception: if your employer gives notice ending after your legal pension age, the term is capped.
Your employer gives notice with a view to your pension
If your employer ends your contract from the month after the one in which you reach legal pension age, the term is at most 26 weeks. If the normal term is longer, it is cut back to that limit.
The FPS page still mentions 65 as the pension age. According to the Federal Pensions Service it is 66 for people born between 1 January 1960 and 31 December 1963, and 67 for those born from 1964. Check your own date on mypension.be.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, bijzondere regels (tegenopzegging, pensioen, ziekte, tijdelijke werkloosheid) (checked on 23 October 2026); Federale Pensioendienst, persbericht wettelijke pensioenleeftijd naar 66 jaar (5 november 2024) (checked on 23 October 2026)
You retire yourself
If you stop to retire, you follow the ordinary table for resignation by the employee. With 8 years of service or more, that is 13 weeks.
Count back from your pension date: your term begins on the Monday after the week in which your notice is served. That way your last working day falls on the day before your pension.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, bijzondere regels (tegenopzegging, pensioen, ziekte, tijdelijke werkloosheid) (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werknemer (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, ontslag door opzegging: algemene regels (checked on 23 October 2026)
Early retirement and the company supplement scheme
The limit of 26 weeks only applies from your legal pension age. If your employer dismisses you with a view to early retirement, the normal terms keep applying.
For a dismissal with a view to unemployment with company supplement, the former bridging pension, a company recognised as in difficulty or restructuring may shorten the term to no less than 26 weeks.
Source: FOD Werkgelegenheid, bijzondere regels (tegenopzegging, pensioen, ziekte, tijdelijke werkloosheid) (checked on 23 October 2026)
What is your term?
Choose who gives notice and since when you have been employed, and see your number of weeks and last day straight away.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must I give to retire?
The same as for any other resignation: after 8 years of service 13 weeks, a little shorter with less seniority. There is no separate pension table for employees.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, bijzondere regels (tegenopzegging, pensioen, ziekte, tijdelijke werkloosheid) (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werknemer (checked on 23 October 2026)
Does the 26 week limit also apply if I am 64?
No, only if your contract ends from the month after your legal pension age. If you were born in 1960 up to and including 1963, that age is 66.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, bijzondere regels (tegenopzegging, pensioen, ziekte, tijdelijke werkloosheid) (checked on 23 October 2026); Federale Pensioendienst, persbericht wettelijke pensioenleeftijd naar 66 jaar (5 november 2024) (checked on 23 October 2026)
General information based on the law and the sources listed. Your collective agreement, your contract and your payroll provider or union remain decisive for your own situation.
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