End-of-Career arrangements in Belgium: A changing legal landscape; Are you Ready?

Belgium’s political coalition has significantly reformed end‑of‑career schemes, driven by budgetary pressure and the need to keep people active longer to safeguard the sustainability of the social welfare system.

Several existing arrangements combining reduced working time with state‑funded benefits are streamlined or restricted. Others — including regimes historically known as early retirement — are already subject to stricter access conditions as of 2025, with multiple options being phased out entirely.

What does this mean for employers and HR teams?

• Managing end‑of‑career transitions will become more complex
• Employees will increasingly seek guidance on reduced working time, career length, and pension impact
• Labour shortages further complicate exit planning
• Reduced working time outside statutory regimes may become more frequent — but not without consequences for pension rights

HR departments are already seeing a rise in questions such as:

• Can I still reduce my working time?
• What is the impact on my pension?
• Are alternative exit arrangements possible?

For employers, the challenge is clear: balancing workforce planning, employees’ expectations, legal compliance and business continuity — within a rapidly evolving framework.

A solid understanding of the new rules is essential: Not only to adapt end‑of‑career management strategies, but also to confidently and accurately inform employees navigating these important decisions.