Early retirement

It is your overall attachment to the labor market that determines whether you are eligible for early retirement.

If you were born in the second half of 1955 to 1964, the following is fixed until 2025:

• 44 years in the labor market entitles you to 3 years of early retirement
• 43 years in the labor market entitles you to 2 years of early retirement
• 42 years in the labor market entitles you to 1 year of early retirement.

Subsequently, it increases by 1 year up to and including 2030. After that, statements are indexed in relation to the state pension age applicable at any given time.

In addition, you need to start from the beginning:

• Be a Danish citizen
• Have permanent residence in Denmark
• Have lived in Denmark for at least three years from the age of 15 until retirement age.

It is Udbetaling Danmark that processes your application and is therefore the person you should contact for further guidance. You can also contact Udbetaling Danmark's department for Early Pension by calling +45 70 12 80 94. 

The pension benefit is DKK 14,976 before tax per month (2025 figure). The benefit is reduced for pension assets of more than DKK 2 million. If your pension assets exceed DKK 5 million, you are not entitled to early retirement.

You can have an income of up to DKK 27,100 (2025) annually before tax without your benefit being reduced. If you earn more, your early pension will be reduced by 64% of the part of your income that exceeds the limit of DKK 27,100 (2025).

If you are entitled to both early retirement and early pension, you can choose the scheme that suits you best.

Choosing can be a difficult decision. That's why we recommend that you gather all the necessary information so that you have the best possible basis to choose from.

At Min A-kasse, we can help you calculate what you can expect to receive in early retirement.

You have reached the early retirement age, but have not taken early retirement:

• You can opt out of the early retirement scheme. You can have your early retirement contributions refunded in cash with a deduction of 30% tax to the state. You no longer have the option to receive any tax-free premiums. Read more about tax-free premiums here.
• You can withdraw from the unemployment insurance fund and have already earned tax-free premiums paid out when you reach state retirement age. However, you cannot earn further tax-free premiums from the date you transfer to early retirement.

You retired before January 1, 2022:

• You can opt out of the early retirement scheme.
• You receive a fixed amount of compensation equivalent to DKK 2,919 (in 2025 figures) for each full month you receive early retirement pension. The compensation is paid in one lump sum in cash with a deduction of 30% tax to the state. You no longer have the option to receive any tax-free premiums. Read more about tax-free premiums here.
• You can also opt out of the compensation if you have currently earned tax-free premiums. You cannot earn additional tax-free premium from the day you transfer to early retirement. If you opt out of the unemployment insurance fund, you will still be entitled to tax-free premiums when you reach state pension age.

You search on borger.dk.

You can compare early retirement with the figures from Udbetaling Danmark on early pension. The comparison is indicative and not binding for the unemployment fund, as it is based on the information you enter.

You can find a calculator on Udbetaling Danmark's website where you can calculate early pension.

Please note that only Udbetaling Danmark can make an accurate calculation of early pension.

The unemployment fund cannot calculate your right to early retirement - you must contact Udbetaling Danmark.

However, we can calculate your entitlement to early retirement, tax-free premiums and repayment of early retirement contributions, so you can compare this with Udbetalings Danmark's calculation of early pension. If you want this, please contact us.

No, if you have already transferred to early retirement and have had your early retirement contribution refunded, you cannot change your mind. Your choice is final.

If you want a statement regarding the impact of pensions on early retirement, contact Udbetaling Danmark.

If you want a statement in relation to your early retirement, simply contact the unemployment fund.

As a general rule, you must be a Danish citizen to be entitled to early retirement. However, there are exceptions. Contact Udbetaling Danmark for further guidance.

It is Udbetaling Danmark that determines your affiliation.