Statistical presentation

Data description

The statistic shows the number of recipients of old age pension or disability pension, the recipients share of the identical population group and the average benefit. Data is published for all 12 months. The statistic is shown separately for old age pension and disability pension.

The total number of recipients, the number of new recipients and the recipients share of the identical population comprise recipients resident in Denmark as well as abroad, while the average benefit is shown for residents in Denmark.

From 2004 to 2007 the retirement age was lowered from 67 years to 65 years. From 2019 to 2022 the retirement age is gradually raised from 65 years to 67 years. The retirement age affects the number of old age and the disability pensioners. Gradually, fewer disability pensioners will be on the old scheme after 2003 due to the new scheme that was introduced January 2003.

Classification system

The total number of recipients and the share of the identical population are broken down into sex, age, type of benefits, family type and geography. The number of new recipients is broken down into sex, age, type of benefits and geography. The average benefit is broken down into sex, age, type of benefits and family type. Age is divided into approximate 5-years categories. For old age pension the age categories start at 65 years and for disability pension the different categories comprise the age of 18-69 years. The type of benefits for old age pension is broken down according to the pension supplement they receive in addition the basic amount. For disability pension it is divided into high rate, medium rate and standard/increased rate granted before 2003 (old scheme) and for disability pension granted after 2003 (new scheme). For both types of pension the fractional pension has a separate category and is not part of the categories described above.

Family type is divided into Families, Single persons and Couples.

Geography refers to provinces, municipalities and, if relevant, residence abroad.

Sector coverage

Not relevant for these statistics.

Statistical concepts and definitions

Old age pension: Benefit for persons who have reached the age of old age pension and have actively applied for old age pension. It is possible to postpone the old age pension. New old age pensioners may therefore be older than the age of old age pension. The retirement age has changed several times over the years.

Old age pension consists of a basic amount and a supplement that is adjusted annually. Both the basic amount and the supplement may be reduced or completely waived, depending on any personal income in addition to the national pension.

Disability pension: Benefit that can be granted to people aged 40 to the age of old age pension and whose ability to work is permanently reduced to an extent that they are otherwise unable to support themselves. Persons aged 18-39 can be granted disability pension if it is documented or it is obvious that due to special circumstances, the work ability cannot be improved by participating in relevant courses or measures.

The rules for disability pension have changed several times over the years. This means that recipients of disability pension are on different schemes, depending on the time of grant of disability pension.

Fractional pension: Reduced pension that can be given to pension recipients who have not lived in Denmark long enough to receive full pension. Fractional pension is calculated as a fraction of the full pension.

Old age pensioners must, as a general rule, have resided in Denmark for at least 40 years from the age of 15 to 65 to be entitled to full pension and at least 3 years to receive pension at all. The fraction is calculated as the number of years of residence in Denmark divided by 40 years.

For early disability pensioners, the actual residence time in Denmark at the time of granting pension must have been at least 4/5 of the person's age at the time of grant deducted by 15. The fraction is calculated as the residence time in Denmark divided by 4/5 of the time the person has lived since the 15th year.

Statistical unit

The units of the statistics are recipients of old age pension, senior pension or disability pension.

Statistical population

Recipients of old-age pension or disability pension, including recipients living abroad.

Reference area

Denmark and recipients living abroad.

Time coverage

The statistics cover the time period from 2009.

Base period

Not relevant for these statistics.

Unit of measure

The measurement units are: - All recipients and new recipients: number of persons - Recipients share of the identical population: per thousand - Total expenses: mill. DKK - Average benefit: DKK

The amounts are in current prices and they are pre-tax payments.

Reference period

1st quarter 2024

Frequency of dissemination

The statistics are published quarterly.

Legal acts and other agreements

Section 6 of the Act on Statistics Denmark, cf Act no. 599 of 22 June 2000.

The statistics are used as input for the production of Eurostats "Statistics on Income and Living Conditions" (Regulation (EC) No 1177/2003).

Cost and burden

There is no response burden as the data are collected via administrative registers.

Comment

For further information contact Statistics Denmark or see the statistics web-page.