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Early Retirement Calculator

Calculate Danish early retirement benefits (efterløn) based on rate, hours, and any work income. See 2026 rates and expected net payout.

🇩🇰 All calculations are based on Danish rules, rates, and currency (DKK). This calculator is translated for convenience but applies exclusively to Denmark.

Early Retirement Calculator 2026

Efterløn is a voluntary early retirement scheme in Denmark that allows eligible members to retire before the official pension age. To qualify, you must have been a member of an A-kasse (unemployment insurance fund) and have paid efterløn contributions for a sufficient number of years. The efterløn contribution in 2026 is 593 kr./month for full-time insured members. Use this calculator to estimate when and how long you can receive efterløn, and what your rate will be.

How is efterløn calculated?

Your efterløn rate is calculated as an average of your salary in the 12 highest-earning months within the last 24 months before you reach your efterløn age or receive your efterløn certificate. The rate is 90% of your previous salary income, subject to the maximum dagpenge rate. Months with overtime or extra allowances can help raise your rate. Pensions from PensionsInfo are offset against your efterløn rate.

Is it worth paying into efterløn?

If you have no pension savings, it is generally a good idea to pay into efterløn. For those with income of 300,000 kr. or less, contributions over the required 30 years yield an equivalent annual return of approximately 3.8% after costs, tax, and inflation. If you work part-time while on efterløn, your benefit is reduced by 64% of your earnings, but it is still financially worthwhile to work alongside the benefit.

Tax and net amount

Efterløn is subject to AM-bidrag (8%) and income tax like regular employment income. If you postpone efterløn and work until pension age, you may receive a tax-free premium (skattefri præmie) as a reward for staying in the workforce longer. This can be a significant sum worth considering in your retirement planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to pay into efterløn?

If you have no pension savings, it is clearly a good idea to pay into efterløn. For those with an income of 300,000 kr. or less, contributions over the required 30 years yield an equivalent annual return of 3.8%, after costs, tax, and inflation.

How do you calculate what you get in efterløn?

Your efterløn rate is calculated as an average of your salary in the 12 months with the highest income within the last 24 months before your efterløn age or certificate. Months with overtime or extra allowances can help raise your rate.

Where can you see your efterløn savings?

Go to ma-kasse.dk, click on "Mit MA" and "Gå til Selvbetjening" to find your inbox. You will receive an efterløn certificate automatically when you have paid into efterløn for the required period, reached the efterløn age, and meet the income requirement.

Is it worth working while on efterløn?

While on efterløn, you have the option to work on the side. Generally, you earn more per hour of work than per hour of efterløn. Therefore, it can be financially worthwhile to work alongside your efterløn.

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