Buying Additional Pension Quarters involves voluntarily paying contributions for periods during which you did not contribute, so that these periods are included in the calculation of your retirement.

It is important to note that the European Union does not provide a uniform mechanism for buying additional quarters in the Greater Region. Each EU member state has its own national rules.

However, it is worth noting that purchased periods are recorded in your career statement and are therefore recognized abroad.

Buying Your Study Periods in Belgium

It may be beneficial to buy your study periods in Belgium so that they are taken into account for the calculation of your pension.

In Belgium, unlike in some other countries, you can only buy your study periods.

Note: Buying periods in Belgium does not affect your early retirement date; it can only be used to increase the amount of your pension.

Additionally, the cost of the buy-back contribution depends on the time you submit your request relative to the date of obtaining your last diploma.

You can buy back the entire period for which you obtained the diploma.

The cost of buying back your periods is €1,902.39 per 12-month period (2025 amount) if you purchase within 10 years after finishing your studies.

Eligible Periods

You can buy back the following study periods:

  • Complete years of higher education (university or non-university, technical, professional, maritime, or artistic) during which you completed a full cycle and obtained a diploma.
  • Doctoral periods, only if you obtained your doctorate.
  • Professional internships, if:
    • A diploma was required to undertake the internship,
    • You obtained a recognized professional qualification after the internship,
    • The internship has not already been counted for pension calculation in Belgium or abroad (for example, paid internships such as those for becoming a medical specialist cannot be bought back).
  • Apprenticeship periods from age 18, if they are not counted for a Belgian or foreign pension.
  • Complete years of secondary education after the 6th year of secondary school.

Thus, you cannot buy back study periods for which you did not obtain a diploma, doctorate, or professional qualification.

Additionally, if you hold multiple diplomas, professional qualifications, or equivalent doctorates, you cannot buy back all of them and must make a choice.

How to Apply

Use the simulator on mypension.be to estimate the impact of buying back periods on your pension. You can also carry out the buy-back directly via this platform.

Alternatively, you can submit your request in writing using this form: Request for Adjustment of Study Periods for Employees.

The request must be submitted before the date your pension begins.

After reviewing your request, the administration will inform you of the amount of contributions for the study periods you can buy back, and you will communicate your choice to proceed or not. If you decide to buy back, payment must be made in a single installment within 6 months following the decision.