Updated 25 October 2026

State Pension Amounts by Country 2026: How Much Retirees Actually Get

Quick answer: In 2026, the full new UK State Pension is £241.30 a week (about $1,400 a month). The average US Social Security retirement benefit is $2,071 a month, with a maximum of $4,152 at full retirement age. Australia's Age Pension pays up to A$1,237.70 a fortnight for a single person (about $1,880 a month), and a German who earned the average wage for 45 years receives about €1,913 a month before deductions (about $2,140). Canada's Old Age Security pays up to C$762.50 a month at 65 to 74, plus a Canada Pension Plan retirement pension averaging about C$877 for new retirees, and Japan's full basic pension is about ¥70,600 a month (about $450), with an earnings-related pension on top for employees. Measured against earnings, the OECD finds that an average earner retiring after a full career will receive about 63% of their previous take-home pay from mandatory pensions across OECD countries, from under 40% in South Korea, Ireland and Lithuania to more than 85% in the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Spain, Greece and Luxembourg. The interactive table below shows all 52 countries the OECD covers.

Pension amounts are hard to compare. Each country has a different mix of flat-rate state pensions, earnings-related public pensions, compulsory workplace schemes and means-tested support, and the amount you get depends on your earnings and how many years you contributed. This guide combines two kinds of figures: the headline payments in major countries for 2026, from each government, and the OECD's official comparison of how much of their working income people can expect to replace.

Pension as a share of pay, by country
How much of their previous take-home pay an average earner can expect from mandatory pensions after a full career, after taxes. Sort by any column, filter by region, and tap a country for low and high earners.
CountryPensionReplaces
China104% of pay103.6%
Brazil98% of pay97.5%
Türkiye96% of pay96.4%
Netherlands96% of pay96%
Portugal93% of pay92.7%
Greece88% of pay88.5%
Luxembourg88% of pay87.7%
Austria87% of pay86.8%
Romania87% of pay86.7%
Spain86% of pay86.3%
Mexico80% of pay79.6%
Saudi Arabia80% of pay79.6%
Italy79% of pay79%
Argentina79% of pay78.6%
Hungary78% of pay78%
Denmark77% of pay77.1%
Slovakia76% of pay76.3%
Cyprus76% of pay75.8%
Bulgaria75% of pay75.3%
Colombia73% of pay73.1%
Malta72% of pay72.3%
Slovenia71% of pay71.3%
France70% of pay70%
Costa Rica70% of pay69.5%
EU average68% of pay68.3%
Sweden66% of pay66.3%
Finland66% of pay65.7%
OECD average63% of pay63.2%
Chile61% of pay61.3%
Belgium61% of pay61.1%
Czechia56% of pay55.9%
Indonesia56% of pay55.6%
Norway55% of pay54.9%
Israel54% of pay54.4%
United Kingdom54% of pay54.2%
Germany53% of pay53.3%
Iceland53% of pay53.3%
Australia53% of pay53%
Latvia52% of pay52.2%
United States51% of pay51.3%
Croatia50% of pay50.5%
Switzerland48% of pay47.5%
Canada45% of pay45.1%
India45% of pay44.6%
New Zealand44% of pay43.8%
Japan42% of pay42.4%
Poland41% of pay40.6%
South Korea39% of pay38.9%
Estonia38% of pay37.8%
Ireland34% of pay33.7%
Lithuania28% of pay28.2%
South Africa9% of pay8.9%
52 countries shown; median about 66.3%
Source: OECD, Pensions at a Glance 2025 (pension rules as of 2024), net replacement rates for a man entering the labour market at 22 in 2024 and working a full career to the normal pension age, on average earnings. Mandatory public and private schemes; tap a country to see the effect of common voluntary schemes where they are widespread. Future rates under current law, not today's pensions.

Headline State Pension Amounts in 2026

CountryMain state pension, 2026≈ US$ a month
United States$2,071 a month (average retired worker); $4,152 maximum at full retirement age$2,071 average
Germany€1,913 a month gross for 45 years at average earnings (from July 2026)$2,140
AustraliaA$1,237.70 a fortnight, single, maximum (from 20 September 2026)$1,880
United Kingdom£241.30 a week, full new State Pension (from April 2026)$1,400
CanadaC$762.50 a month OAS (age 65–74, maximum) plus CPP averaging C$877 for new retirees (maximum C$1,507.65)$1,170 typical
Japan¥70,600 a month, full basic pension for 40 years of contributions (fiscal 2026), plus employees' pension$450 basic only

These are not directly comparable. The US and German figures are earnings-related, so higher earners get more; the UK and Australian figures are flat-rate amounts that most retirees receive regardless of earnings (Australia's is means-tested); Canada and Japan combine a flat-rate pension with an earnings-related one. Dollar values use European Central Bank reference rates for 23 October 2026.

Bar chart of 2026 state pension amounts per month in US dollars for Germany, the US, Australia, the UK, Canada and Japan
Main state pension per month in US dollars, 2026. *Japan's basic pension only; see the article for each definition.

What the Replacement Rate Means

The OECD's net replacement rate is the clearest way to compare pension systems. It shows how much of a person's take-home pay before retirement their pension will replace, after taxes and contributions, assuming they start work at 22, work a full career and retire at the normal pension age. The figures in the table are for an average earner under the rules in force in 2024, which are the rules that will apply to today's young workers.

Diagram: across the OECD, mandatory pensions replace about 63% of an average earner's take-home pay
The OECD's net replacement rate for an average earner after a full career, mandatory schemes.

Two points matter when reading the table:

  • These are future pensions under current law, not what today's retirees receive. In countries that have cut future benefits, such as Italy, Sweden and Poland, today's pensioners may receive more than the table suggests for future retirees.
  • They cover mandatory schemes. In countries where voluntary workplace pensions are widespread, such as the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland, Germany and New Zealand, people with those pensions will get more. Tap a country to see the OECD's estimate including common voluntary schemes.

The Most Generous Systems

  • China (104%) and Brazil (98%) top the OECD's calculations for average earners in mandatory schemes, although many workers, especially in informal jobs, are not covered or contribute for too few years to qualify for the full amount.
  • Türkiye (96%) and the Netherlands (96%). The Netherlands combines a flat-rate state pension (AOW) with near-universal workplace pensions, which the OECD counts as mandatory because they cover almost all employees.
  • Portugal (93%), Greece (89%), Luxembourg (88%), Austria (87%), Spain (86%) and Romania (87%). These countries have generous earnings-related public pensions, financed by high contributions.

High replacement rates come at a cost: Greece, Austria, Portugal and Spain each spend 12% or more of national income on public pensions, and several of these countries face pressure to cut benefits as populations age.

The Least Generous Systems

  • South Africa: 9%. South Africa has no mandatory earnings-related pension. The means-tested older persons grant is small, and most private-sector retirement saving is voluntary.
  • Lithuania (28%), Ireland (34%), Estonia (38%) and South Korea (39%). In Ireland the flat-rate state pension replaces a modest share of average pay, but a new auto-enrolment scheme started in January 2026 will raise future pensions for many workers.
  • Poland (41%), Japan (42%), New Zealand (44%), India (45%) and Canada (45%). In Canada and New Zealand, voluntary workplace and KiwiSaver pensions raise typical replacement rates to around 69% to 71%.
  • United States: 51%, rising to about 100% for someone who also saves in a 401(k) or similar plan throughout their career, according to the OECD's calculations.
  • United Kingdom: 54%, including automatic-enrolment workplace pensions, which the OECD treats as mandatory.

Low and High Earners Are Treated Very Differently

Tap a country to see replacement rates for someone on half the average wage and twice the average. Most systems are designed to protect low earners: across the OECD, a worker on half the average wage can expect about 75% of their previous take-home pay, compared with 63% for an average earner and about 53% for someone on twice the average.

Chart: pensions replace about 75% of pay for low earners, 63% for average earners and 53% for high earners across the OECD
OECD averages for mandatory pensions, by earnings level.

Flat-rate systems are the most redistributive. In the UK, a low earner gets 76% and a high earner 40%; in Australia, 83% and 38%; in Denmark, 117% and 64%. Earnings-related systems treat everyone more similarly: in Portugal and Italy, high earners get similar or even higher replacement rates than average earners.

For higher earners in flat-rate countries, the message is clear: the state pension will replace only a small share of income, so private saving matters much more.

How Pensions Are Increased Each Year

  • United Kingdom: the triple lock raises the State Pension each April by the highest of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5%. The April 2026 rise was 4.8%, in line with earnings.
  • United States: Social Security rises each January with inflation; the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment was 2.8%.
  • Germany: pensions follow wage growth, with a guaranteed minimum pension level of 48% of average earnings; they rose 4.24% in July 2026.
  • Australia: the Age Pension is indexed twice a year, in March and September, to the higher of price and pensioner living-cost measures, and benchmarked to wages.
  • Japan: benefits rise with prices and wages but are reduced by a "macro-economic slide" that slows increases as the population ages; fiscal 2026 brought a 1.9% rise.
  • Canada: OAS rises quarterly with inflation, and CPP once a year.

Will My State Pension Be Enough?

For most people in most countries, no, not on its own. Financial planners often suggest aiming for 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income to keep a similar lifestyle, a bit less if your mortgage is paid off. Few state pensions alone provide that for average or higher earners.

Bar showing state pensions replace about 63% of pay, short of the 70% to 80% many planners suggest, with the gap filled by savings
For most average and higher earners, savings or a workplace pension are needed on top of the state pension.

Some practical steps:

  1. Get your forecast. Most countries offer an online forecast: the GOV.UK State Pension forecast, the US Social Security "my Social Security" account, My Service Canada, Australia's myGov, Japan's Nenkin Net and Germany's annual Renteninformation.
  2. Check your record for gaps. Missing years reduce many state pensions. In the UK, you can often fill gaps with voluntary National Insurance contributions, which can be one of the best-value investments available.
  3. Join workplace pensions, especially where employers add contributions. Opting out usually means giving up free money.
  4. Think about when to claim. Delaying a pension usually increases it, by 8% a year in the US up to age 70 and by about 5.8% a year in the UK. Our guide Retirement Age by Country 2026: State Pension Ages in 39 Countries lists pension ages and early-claim ages by country.
  5. Plan for inflation. A pension that rises with prices is worth more than one that does not; private annuities and some workplace pensions are not fully indexed. Our guide Lump Sum or Monthly Pension: Which Should You Take? (Break-Even Calculator) compares taking a lump sum with a monthly pension.

Pensions If You Have Worked in Several Countries

If you have worked abroad, you may be entitled to pensions from more than one country, each paid at that country's own pension age and in its own currency. EU rules and bilateral social security agreements let you add together contribution periods to qualify, but each country pays only for the years you worked there. Some pensions are not increased when paid abroad: the UK, for example, freezes the State Pension for people living in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries outside the European Economic Area. Our guide What Happens to Your Retirement Savings When You Move Abroad? explains the rules.

Data Notes

Replacement rates are from the OECD's Pensions at a Glance 2025, using pension rules in force in 2024, for a man entering the labour market at age 22 and working a full career to the normal pension age on the average wage (or half or twice it), net of taxes and contributions. Rates for women are the same in most countries except where pension ages or rules differ by sex. Headline amounts for 2026 are from national pension agencies and governments, as listed in the sources. Dollar values use ECB reference rates for 23 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the best state pension?

By the OECD's measure of how much of their previous take-home pay an average earner gets from mandatory pensions, the most generous systems are in China, Brazil, Türkiye, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, Luxembourg, Austria and Spain, all above 85%. Measured in money, the highest payments tend to be in rich countries with generous earnings-related pensions, such as Luxembourg.

How much is the UK State Pension in 2026?

The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week (£12,547.60 a year) from April 2026, for people who reached State Pension age after April 2016 with 35 qualifying years. The full basic State Pension for older pensioners is £184.90 a week.

What is the average Social Security check in 2026?

About $2,071 a month for retired workers after the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in January 2026. The maximum for someone retiring at full retirement age in 2026 is $4,152.

How much is the Australian Age Pension?

Up to A$1,237.70 a fortnight for a single person and A$1,866.00 for a couple combined, from 20 September 2026, subject to income and assets tests.

How much is the German pension?

A "standard pensioner" who earned the average wage for 45 years receives about €1,913 a month gross from July 2026. The average actual pension is lower, because most people have shorter or lower-paid careers.

Which country has the worst pension system?

Among the countries the OECD covers, South Africa's mandatory system replaces the smallest share of earnings, about 9% for an average earner. Among rich countries, Lithuania, Ireland, Estonia and South Korea are lowest for mandatory schemes, although voluntary pensions raise the figure in Ireland.

Final Thoughts

State pensions vary enormously, from flat-rate safety nets that replace a third of average pay to earnings-related systems that replace most of it. What they have in common is that, for most people, they are a foundation rather than a complete retirement income.

The most useful things you can do are to check your own forecast, fill gaps in your contribution record where it pays, join any workplace pension with employer contributions, and decide carefully when to claim. A few hours spent on these now can add thousands to your retirement income.

Sources

Cite this page: Blog Digest, “State Pension Amounts by Country 2026: How Much Retirees Actually Get”, updated 25 October 2026, https://randomthoughtsever.blogspot.com/2026/10/state-pension-amounts-by-country-2026.html

Related Guides

Replacement rates from the OECD's Pensions at a Glance 2025; 2026 payment amounts from national pension agencies. This article is for information and isn't financial advice.