Don't Apply for Early Retirement Without a Calculation. Our Client's Story

Can you lose thousands of kroner, or even your right to a pension, just because you didn't do a calculation? Unfortunately – yes. Our client learned this the hard way after hastily deciding to submit an early retirement application in Norway. His story is a warning to everyone considering ending their career between the ages of 62 and 67.

Early retirement – an attractive option with hidden pitfalls

In Norway, you can retire as early as age 62. It sounds appealing, but not everyone is eligible – and not everyone should do it without proper calculations. Age is not everything. Your income, contributions, employment history, and whether you qualify for AFP (Avtalefestet pensjon – contractual early retirement for private or public sector employees) are all important factors.

Case study: Mr. Marek and a costly mistake

Mr. Marek turned 63 and, after more than 20 years of working in Norway, decided to take early retirement. He assumed that he "was definitely entitled to it" because he "worked long and honestly." He didn't calculate his pension, nor did he consult a specialist. He filled out the application online, paid a 699 PLN service fee, and... waited.

After a few weeks, a decision came from NAV: rejection.

The reason? He was not eligible to retire at the age and on the terms stated in his application due to insufficient contributions. When will retirement be possible? The office does not provide this information. The applicant must determine this on their own.

Upon analysis, it turned out that a lack of continuous employment during the required period disqualified him from AFP. The result? Mr. Marek:

lost 699 PLN, as the application fee is non-refundable,
lost a steady source of income because he quit his job, believing he could retire,
lost the right to AFP – because being unemployed broke the continuity of employment required for this benefit,
will have to do a calculation and then reapply for retirement, which means a long wait for funds, as processing the application takes several months.

Retiring without a calculation is a risk you can avoid

Many people don't realize that between ages 62 and 67, you can receive anywhere from 20% to even 100% of your basic pension – depending on how much you've earned, how long you've worked, and when you start drawing your benefits.
Not doing a calculation is not just a financial risk, but can also have serious life consequences – loss of job, income, and stability. In the worst case – loss of the right to some benefits, such as AFP.

That's why you should do a calculation before you apply

At MultiNOR, we help Poles in Norway understand their pension situation and make the best decision. Before submitting an application, we prepare an individual pension calculation, taking into account:

age and work history,
income and contributions,
eligibility for AFP or other benefits,
strategy for further employment or partial retirement.

Thanks to this, our clients know when and under what conditions it is worth retiring, and avoid unpleasant surprises like those experienced by Mr. Marek.

Summary – what can you lose without a calculation?

the fee for an unnecessary application or multiple applications,
the right to early retirement (AFP),
your job – if you quit too soon,
20–100% of your basic pension – if you choose the wrong time to retire.