In Lithuania, pensions are meant to give you money after you retire. You pay taxes while you're working, and when you retire, you receive a pension to help you maintain your income and provide financial security.  

To qualify for pension in Lithuania, you need to meet specific requirements set by the system. Contrary to common belief, reaching old age doesn't automatically ensure you'll get a government pension; factors like age, work history, and contributions matter. 

To qualify for the old-age pension, you must: 

• Reach the designated retirement age, and 
• Have at least 15 years of paid pension social insurance contributions

Pension age in Lithuania 

The retirement age has been gradually rising since 2012 and will reach 65 for everyone by 2026. To find out your specific pension age, you can use this calculator. In 2024, you need 33.5 years of social insurance to qualify for a full pension, and this requirement will reach 35 years in 2027.  

Average pension in Lithuania

Pension amount is calculated based on the basic pension, years of service, and pension points. In 2024, the average old-age pension in Lithuania is €605. For those who have a mandatory record of 33,5 years the average pension rises to €644. It is expected that in the future, the average pension will approach half of the average salary in Lithuania. 

What happens to my old-age pension if I move to Lithuania? 

In EU/EEA countries, pensions are based on your social insurance record and are paid by the competent authorities of that country, regardless of your nationality. If you move to Lithuania from an EU Member State, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, your pension will be transferred to you. 

Lithuania has social security agreements with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Canada, governing the granting and payment of pensions. Discussions are ongoing with the USA. If you move from Canada, Moldova, Ukraine, or Belarus and already receive a pension, those countries will continue payments. If you move from Russia and already receive a pension there, the payment of the pension in Russia will be terminated and your pension will be granted in Lithuania.   

If you've worked in multiple EU countries, like Germany and Lithuania, you may qualify for a pension in each. Your work history abroad counts towards your Lithuanian pension, but the payment is based on your Lithuanian work record.