🧓 Old-age pension in Israel: two ways for repatriates

If you are planning to retire in Israel, Bituach Leumi has two different payment mechanisms for you. Let's figure out what is due and to whom.

📌 Regular old-age pension (kitsvat zkena)

🔹 Age for men - 67 years, fixed

🔹 The age for women gradually increases from 62 to 65 years, depending on the year of birth - check the exact date in the calculator on the Bituah Leumi website

🔹 Before reaching the “age of unconditional entitlement” (70 years for everyone), the size of the pension may be cut if the income is high

🔹 After 70 years of age, pensions are paid to all Israeli residents regardless of income

🔹 An additional amount for insurance experience is added to the base amount - up to 50% for over 25 years of experience

📌 Special pension for repatriates and returning residents

If you came to Israel in old age and did not have time to accumulate insurance experience, you are not entitled to a regular pension - but there is a separate guaranteed payment:

✅ Reliable for repatriates and toshavim khozrim who arrived after the standard retirement age

✅ Up to 70 years of age, payment depends on income - yours and your spouse's

✅ Guaranteed payment after age 70, no income verification required

⚠️ The amount is equal to the basic pension, but without an increase for length of service

💰 Estimated amounts for 2026

(always check exact figures and income limits at btl.gov.il - indexed annually)

🔹 Basic pension for a single person - about 1 838 ₪ before age 80 and 1 941 ₪ after age 80

🔹 With a maximum bonus for length of service (+50%) - up to 2 757 ₪ and 2 911 ₪ respectively

🔹 Health insurance contribution is deducted from the pension

📝 What to do

1️⃣ Check your personal retirement age in the Bituach Leumi calculator

2️⃣ If you have a low income, submit a separate application for an additional payment up to the subsistence minimum (ashlemat akhnasa)

3️⃣ Apply for pension in advance - amounts will not be calculated retroactively

4️⃣ For a special pension, olim will need teudat ole and income certificates (for their own and for their spouse)

💡 Even if formally the amount is small, apply in any case - often together with your pension