A shifting landscape in the Bulgarian workforce is becoming evident as more citizens opt to leave the labor market before reaching the official legal threshold. New data indicates that всеки трети се пенсионира под общата възраст за пенсия, revealing a complex intersection of health declines, financial trade-offs, and changing labor categories.
According to the latest analysis from the National Social Security Institute (NOI), the total number of individuals who retired under the state public insurance system in 2025 stood at 109,418. While this represents a marginal decrease of 0.2% (195 people) compared to 2024, the stability of the overall number masks significant volatility in how and why Bulgarians are exiting the workforce.
The most striking trend is the rise of those retiring under the legal age for “Category 3” labor—the standard classification for most workers. In 2025, 35.6% of new retirees did so before reaching the required age, up from 32.6% the previous year. For context, the legal retirement age for 2025 was set at 62 years and 4 months for women and 64 years and 8 months for men.
The gamble of reduced pensions
A growing segment of the population is now choosing a specific financial trade-off: retiring early in exchange for a permanently reduced monthly payment. This “early exit” strategy has seen a notable surge in popularity.
In 2025, 8,725 individuals opted for this path, accounting for 17.2% of all new pensions granted based on insurance period and age. This is a 10.8% increase (848 people) over 2024 figures. On average, these individuals were only about 11 months away from reaching the full legal retirement age, suggesting that for many, the desire to leave the workforce outweighs the long-term benefit of a full pension.
The rise of health-based retirement
While some are choosing to leave early, others are being pushed out by health crises. The National Social Security Institute notes that disability pensions granted due to general illness are rapidly catching up to standard age-and-service pensions in volume.
The age gap between standard retirees and those leaving due to disability is stark. While the average retirement age for those in Category 3 labor is 64.5 years, those receiving disability pensions for general illness—as well as those retiring from special agencies—are exiting the workforce at an average age of 54.8 years. This nearly decade-long difference underscores a growing trend of premature health failure within the working-age population.
| Retirement Category | Average Age / Metric | Key Trend/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| General (Category 3) | 64.5 years | 35.6% retired below legal age |
| Special Agencies | 54.8 years | Consistent early exit pattern |
| Disability (General Illness) | 54.8 years | Volume increasing relative to standard pensions |
| Early (Reduced Pension) | -11 months (avg) | 17.2% of age/service pensions |
A collapse in specialized labor categories
One of the most dramatic shifts in the 2025 data is the precipitous drop in pensions granted for first and second category labor—classifications usually reserved for the most strenuous or hazardous professions.
In 2024, 2,566 people retired under these specialized categories. By 2025, that number plummeted to just 530. This sharp decline suggests either a significant shift in how labor is categorized or a decrease in the number of workers qualifying for these high-stress classifications, further pushing the burden toward standard retirement or disability paths.
Who is affected and why it matters
The current trajectory suggests three distinct groups are driving these numbers:
- The “Burned Out”: Workers who are willing to accept a lower monthly income to escape the workplace a year early.
- The Chronically Ill: A growing demographic of people in their mid-50s who can no longer work due to general illness, bypassing the standard age system entirely.
- The Standard Workforce: Those still adhering to the 64.5-year average, though their numbers are being diluted by the rise in early exits.
This shift places a different kind of pressure on the social security system. While early retirement with reduced benefits might seem like a saving for the state in the short term, the rise in disability pensions—which often require different support structures—indicates a broader public health challenge.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice regarding pension claims or social security benefits.
The National Social Security Institute is expected to release its next comprehensive quarterly update in the coming months, which will provide further clarity on whether the collapse of Category 1 and 2 pensions is a permanent structural change or a statistical anomaly. We will continue to monitor these filings for updates on retirement age adjustments.
Do you believe the current retirement age reflects the reality of the modern workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments or share this story with others affected by these changes.
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