The Portuguese Carlos Mendes emigrated to Luxembourg in 1976, at age 16, from Cantanhede. He started working as a car mechanic and later became a heavy goods driver, a profession he practiced for over 35 years. In 2020, he requested early old-age pension at 60, after having worked and contributed for 44 years. When interviewed by Contacto in June 2022, he was 62 and had been retired for two years, stating that his income allowed him to live and still save. Carlos decided to remain in Luxembourg with his wife, Lúcia, and their two children in Sandweiler, near the airport, considering it the center of his life, although he traveled regularly to Portugal for holidays. Everyone had dual nationality.
In Luxembourg, Carlos managed to retire early at 60 because the country allowed requesting old-age pension at 60 for those who had completed 40 years of insurance, corresponding to 480 months. His 44 years of contributions exceeded that minimum. There was also the possibility of early retirement at 57 with 40 years of mandatory insurance. The value of the Luxembourg pension depends on contributions paid and wages recorded throughout the career, and the report did not reveal the specific amount Carlos received.
From July 1, 2026, Luxembourg began gradually increasing the period required for early pension at 60, requiring one additional month in the second half of 2026, two in 2027, four in 2028, six in 2029, and eight in 2030. This change does not affect pensions already being paid, such as Carlos's.
In Portugal, with the same 44 years of contributions, it would not be possible to retire at 60 without penalty. The normal retirement age is set at 66 years and nine months in 2026, and with 44 years of contributions the personal retirement age would be 65 years and five months. Requesting retirement at 60 would imply a 32.5% reduction. Portugal has an exception for very long careers, allowing retirement without penalty from age 60 for those with at least 48 years of contributory career or 46 years if they started before age 17. Carlos started working at 16, but with 44 years of contributions at 60, he would not meet the Portuguese requirements for that exception.
