Romania’s pension system is facing a period of sweeping changes and new requirements as 2025 approaches, with both residents and expatriates needing to navigate a series of updated regulations, deadlines, and financial calculations. Whether living abroad, serving in the military, or trying to fill in missing contribution years, pensioners and future retirees must pay close attention to a raft of new and continuing rules that have a direct impact on their benefits, according to recent reports from avocatnet.ro and other sources.
For Romanian pensioners residing outside the country, the most immediate concern is the semiannual submission of a life certificate, a requirement that has become notably stricter under Law 360/2023, which took effect in autumn 2024. Previously, this certificate—intended to prove that the beneficiary is still alive—was only required once per year. Now, starting in 2024, it must be submitted twice a year, specifically by March 31 and September 30. That means for the second half of 2025, all Romanian retirees living abroad must ensure their life certificate arrives at their territorial pension house no later than September 30, 2025.
The life certificate model, as approved by CNPP Order no. 874/2024, can be conveniently downloaded online. However, the process isn’t as simple as filling out a form at home. The document must be completed and signed in front of a legal authority in the country of residence or permanent domicile, which then certifies the authenticity of the pensioner’s signature. Acceptable authorities include social insurance institutions, local administrative bodies, or notaries public. Failure to submit the certificate by the deadline carries serious consequences: pension payments are suspended starting the month after the deadline, and payments only resume once the document is eventually submitted, with any missed sums paid retroactively from the date of suspension.
This measure is not just bureaucratic red tape—it’s designed to reduce the risk of undue payments and ensure the proper management of public pension funds, as highlighted by avocatnet.ro. The obligation applies exclusively to Romanian pensioners who are non-residents and have requested pension transfers to be paid outside the country.
While pensioners abroad are dealing with paperwork, those still in Romania—or those who served in the country’s military or special services—face their own complex set of rules. Early military retirement continues to be governed by Law no. 223/2015, and the conditions remain as strict as ever for those seeking to leave the system before reaching the standard retirement age. The standard retirement age itself is on a gradual upward trajectory, and early retirement is only an option for those who have accumulated significant years of service.
For men, the minimum service required is 30 years, with at least 15 years spent in special services such as the army or police. For women, the minimum is 25 years, with at least 10 years in special services. The more years a person serves beyond these thresholds, the greater the reduction in the standard retirement age and the higher the pension amount they can expect. In essence, the system is designed to reward longevity and commitment. As avocatnet.ro notes, “Those who stay longer in the system benefit from more advantageous conditions and a pension closer to the full amount.”
The financial rewards for extra years of service are clear. After 20 years, a retiree can expect a pension worth about 50-60% of the calculation base set by law. With 25 years, that figure jumps to 70-75%, and after 30 years, it can reach 80-85%, depending on bonuses and other income factors. For example, assuming a calculation base of 7,000 lei, a pension after 20 years would be 3,850 lei per month, after 25 years it would be 5,040 lei, and after 30 years, 5,740 lei per month. These values are only indicative, as actual amounts may vary with legislative changes or additional bonuses, but they paint a clear picture: the system incentivizes continued service. For those considering early retirement, consulting the latest version of Law no. 223/2015 and speaking directly with competent institutions is strongly recommended.
Meanwhile, another group of Romanians—those who have not accumulated enough years of pension contributions—have a different set of options and challenges. As outlined in a recent article published on September 12, 2025, certain categories of individuals can now purchase up to six years of pension contribution periods through voluntary social insurance contracts. This option is particularly valuable for those who find themselves short of the required contribution years for a full pension.
The minimum payment for each month of purchased contribution is 25% of the gross minimum wage. With the gross minimum wage set at 4,050 lei per month in 2025, that means a minimum of 1,012.50 lei must be paid for each month. To buy a full year of pension contributions at the lowest possible level, an individual needs to budget for approximately 12,150 lei. The law allows for the purchase of periods ranging from just one month up to six years, but crucially, this can only be done before reaching the standard retirement age. And while it’s possible to pay the minimum, those who can afford to contribute based on a higher income will see their future pension amounts increase accordingly.
This flexibility provides a lifeline for many who, for various reasons—perhaps years spent working informally or gaps in employment—find themselves with insufficient contribution periods. But as with all aspects of the Romanian pension system, the devil is in the details. Payments must be carefully calculated, and decisions about the level of contribution should take into account not only current affordability but also the long-term impact on pension size.
It’s clear from the current landscape that Romania’s pension system is evolving to address both the needs of a mobile population and the fiscal realities of public funding. The semiannual life certificate requirement for pensioners abroad is a direct response to concerns about overpayments and fraud, while the strict conditions for early military retirement and the option to purchase missing contribution years reflect a balancing act between fairness, sustainability, and individual flexibility.
For pensioners and those nearing retirement, the message is unmistakable: staying informed and proactive is more important than ever. Deadlines are strict, paperwork is non-negotiable, and the financial implications of each decision can be significant. As the rules continue to evolve, one thing remains constant—the need for clarity, diligence, and a bit of planning ahead.
