SPF Pensions records show 87,842 people were receiving retirement due to physical incapacity as of January 2025, signaling the potential scale of impact from the reform.

The reform brings civil servant health-related pensions in line with broader pension reform goals and aims to improve cost control and sustainability of the pension system amid unemployment reforms.

Starting in 2026, civil servants deemed permanently unfit for work will move from civil service pension schemes to the INAMI health-insurance system, with public employers such as federal entities, police, emergency services, and the military required to pay social contributions.

Long-term sick leave benefits for public servants will be moved into the same regime as private-sector employees, transferring costs and management to INAMI and employers.

The government’s pension reform, part of a wider unemployment reform package under Prime Minister De Wever, will end medical pensions for statutorily employed civil servants effective April 1, 2026.

The changes could place significant financial strain on the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles and other regional public sectors, affecting teachers and other public workers.