The retirement age continues to be one of the issues that generate the most doubt among workers, especially in a context of gradual changes in the system. In 2026, the possibility of retiring with 100% of the pension will depend, as before, on age, years contributed, and whether one falls into any of the special cases provided for by regulations.
The general rule is clear: not everyone will be able to retire early without suffering pension cuts, but there are specific cases where early retirement with 100% is possible.
The general rule: ordinary age and years contributed
The Social Security maintains the progressive schedule for increasing the retirement age derived from the reform of the system.
In 2026, the ordinary retirement age will be 65 years for those who prove a sufficiently long contribution record, while those who do not reach that period will have to wait longer to retire with 100% of the pension.
That full percentage is calculated on the regulatory base and requires meeting the legal conditions in force each year.
Voluntary early retirement exists, but generally entails reducing coefficients, which implies a reduction in the pension amount.
Involuntary early retirement also exists in certain cases, such as dismissals for specific reasons, although it also usually implies financial penalties.
Cases where it can be brought forward without losing 100%
The main exception affects certain groups with special regimes or legally recognized reducing coefficients.
This is the case for professions considered particularly arduous, dangerous, or with high physical demands, where regulations allow early retirement without applying the ordinary reductions of the general regime.
There are also cases linked to recognized disability, where the law allows for significantly advancing retirement under certain circumstances.
In these specific cases, it is possible to access retirement before the ordinary age without suffering the usual loss associated with common early retirement. This does not mean, however, that any worker can take advantage of these exceptions. These are very specific cases regulated by law.
Before making decisions, Social Security itself recommends consulting the individual situation, through its official simulators, since the exact retirement age and conditions change according to each contribution history.