Pension FAQ
Short answers to the questions asked most often about the Czech old-age pension. Each one follows the cited legislation and the figures in force for pensions awarded in 2026.
When can I retire?
It depends on your year of birth. Those born 1936 to 1973 read the age from Annex 1 to the Act, which for women also accounts for the number of children raised; those born 1974 to 1988 follow a statutory formula, and anyone born after 1988 retires at a flat 67. The figures are on the retirement age page.
How many years of insurance do I need?
35 years for an ordinary old-age pension awarded after 2018. For an early pension the statute is stricter and requires 40 years. Substitute periods count towards both only in part.
How is the pension amount worked out?
As the sum of two parts: the basic amount, the same for everyone at 4 900 Kč a month, and the percentage amount at 1,495 % of the calculation base for each whole year of insurance (for pensions awarded in 2026). The method is set out on the pension calculation page.
What is the minimum pension?
The percentage amount may not fall below the basic amount, that is 4 900 Kč. The lowest old-age pension awarded in 2026 is therefore 9 800 Kč a month.
Can I retire early, and what does it cost?
Yes — at most 3 years before your retirement age, and with at least 40 years of insurance. It costs a permanent reduction of 1,5 % for each started 90 days; with at least 45 years of insurance the reduction is halved to 0,75 %.
Does the pension go up each year?
Pensions in payment are uprated from 1 January. The increase follows consumer-price growth for pensioner households plus one third of real wage growth, and the basic amount is reset to 10 % of the average wage. From 1 January 2026 the percentage amount of pensions awarded earlier rose by 2,6 %.