Claiming the old-age pension
In 2026 the retirement age in Latvia is 65, and the old-age pension requires at least 20 years of insurance record. You may claim no earlier than one month before reaching the age; if you apply later, the pension is granted for no more than 6 months back. One application covers both the 1st pension pillar and your 2nd-pillar savings. Early retirement is possible from 63 with at least 30 years of record — 50% of the granted pension is paid until full age.
Who this applies to
Step by step
Check your record and projected pension
On Latvija.gov.lv you can view your VSAA-registered insurance record and request the projected pension amount. If anything is missing from your pre-1996 record, find your work book, diplomas or archive certificates early — for liquidated companies this takes time.
Prepare the documents
You need an identity document and documents proving your pre-1996 record (work book, military service card, a child's birth certificate for child-raising periods etc.) if VSAA does not already hold them. In the application you also give a Latvian bank account for the pension transfer.
Submit the application to VSAA
Apply on Latvija.gov.lv, in person at any VSAA client centre (showing a passport or eID), or electronically with a secure e-signature. Claim no earlier than 1 month before reaching pension age. If you apply later, entitlement starts no earlier than 6 months before the application date — the savings don't disappear, but longer delays are not compensated.
Receive the decision and the pension
You receive the decision in your chosen way — on the portal, e-address, by post or in person. VSAA transfers the pension monthly to your account or delivers it to your home. If you keep working, the pension can later be recalculated with the new contributions.
Common mistakes
Frequently asked questions
What are the retirement age and minimum record in 2026?
The retirement age is 65, the minimum insurance record is 20 years. Early retirement is possible from 63 with at least 30 years of record.
What is the minimum old-age pension?
From 2026 the minimum pension calculation base is 213 EUR; with 20+ years of record a 1.2 coefficient applies, so the minimum payment is at least 255.60 EUR per month. Your actual pension depends on contributions and record.
How is the Soviet-era and 1990s record proven?
Record up to 31 December 1995 is proven by the work book, employment contracts, military service card, diplomas (study time), a child's birth certificate for child-raising periods and archive certificates. From 1996 all data is in the VSAA system.
Is it better to retire later?
Deferring retirement lets your pension capital keep growing while the expected payout period shrinks, so the monthly pension is higher. The savings don't vanish — the pension is calculated at grant time from everything accumulated.
Official sources
- Latvija.gov.lv — Vecuma pensijas piešķiršana un izmaksāšana
- VSAA — Vecuma pensija
- Likums «Par valsts pensijām»