Overview

• Retirees’ median net equivalized income was €1,990 per month in 2024 versus roughly €2,300 for the overall population, according to finalized EU‑SILC data.
• Recipients of basic security in old age reached about 739,000 at end‑2024, up 7.1% from a year earlier and 31.0% since 2020, covering 4.1% of those above the age threshold.
• Pensions and civil‑service pensions provided about 92% of income in households consisting solely of retirees, with around 5% from assets, 2% from work and 1% from transfers.
• Women 65+ received on average €1,720 in gross monthly old‑age income versus €2,320 for men, a 25.8% gender pension gap that widens to 36.9% when survivor benefits are excluded.
• From 2021 to 2024 the retiree median rose 9% compared with an 11% increase for the overall population, informing a reform debate that includes the proposed Aktivrente allowing up to €2,000 tax‑free monthly earnings.