A wave of retirements sweeps Greece in 2026, with 36,999 new applications only in the first two months (18,636 in January and 18,363 in February). In 2025 applications reached 200,000, while respectively high numbers were recorded in 2021 and 2022. The baby boomers generation reaches massive retirement age, while fear of increasing age limits from 2027 and the abolition of the cut for retired workers speed up the exit. Experts warn of a threat to the viability of the insurance system.

EPKA announced that May 2026 pensions would be paid earlier than originally planned. Pensioners of the Funds (OAEE, OGA, EBRD) and beneficiaries of principal and auxiliary pensions in the private sector will be paid on Friday, April 24, while pensioners of the Funds (IKA-ETAM, banks, PPC, OTE) and the State on Monday, April 27. The amounts will be credited to the accounts from the afternoon of the previous day, speeding up the initial proposal providing for payments on 27 and 29 April.

The payment dates for the pensions of May 2026 were established after the announcement of the EPKA. Their payment will be based on the separation between employees and non-employed persons. Pensioners of the non-employed Funds (OAUs, OGAs, EBRDs), as well as those receiving private sector main and ancillary pensions, are paid first. The pensions May 2026 [...]

e-EFCA and DYPA will pay a total of EUR 49 million to around 40,000 beneficiaries between 14 and 17 April. e-EFCA has EUR 208,656 in 162 beneficiaries of the former AIF and EUR 19 million in 800 beneficiaries for one-off benefits. The IRS pays 12 million euros to 20,000 unemployed, 3 million to 4,000 mothers for subsidised maternity leave, 13 million to 12,000 beneficiaries of subsidised employment programmes and 1.8 million to 3,000 beneficiaries of public benefit programmes.