From 1 January 2026, the novelties defined by the latest amendments to the Pension Insurance Act (Official Gazette Official Gazette -96/25) came into force, which expand the rights of Retirees to work with the payment of their pension. Old-age pensioners can work up to 20 hours a week with a full pension, and after the age of 65 even longer with retention half of the pension. Beneficiaries of a disability pension can work up to 3.5 hours a day without suspension of rights.

 Old-age Retirees and work

Beneficiaries of an old-age pension (Retirees retired on the basis of their age) have the right to work up to half of the full working time (up to 20 hours per week) with full pension payment. After reaching the age of 65, they can work longer than half of the full time, or even full-time, with the payment of 50% of their pension. The schedule of work can be flexible, as agreed with the employer.

Disability pension: Limit of 3.5 hours

Due to the complete loss of working capacity, beneficiaries of disability pensions can work less than 3.5 hours a day while retaining their pension. When working 3.5 hours a day or longer, the pension is suspended. The same applies to a Family pension beneficiaries based on total loss of working capacity.

Family pension beneficiaries after 65 years

Beneficiaries of the full Family pension as well as the ones receiving only a part (portion) of the family pension  after the age of 65 can work longer than half of the full-time with 50% of the pension. This extension also applies to early retirement for a long-term insured person.

Practical examples

• Old-age pensioner: 4 hours a day (up to 20 hours per week) = full pension.
• After 65 years: eg. 6-8 hours a day = 50% of the pension.
• Disability pension: Up to 3.5 hours a day = full pension; above = suspension.

The new provisions make it easier to employ pensioners and maintain their experience in the labour market, with clear rules for the pensions payment retention.

For more details, visit https://www.mirovinsko.hr/.

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