Belgium’s federal coalition parties have proposed significant changes to the pension system for members of parliament (MPs), aiming to bring it into closer alignment with the pension arrangements of civil servants.

The reform package, introduced this week, includes two main components: Eliminating the annual holiday bonus for MPs and recalculating pension benefits based on the average of the past 10 years of a parliamentary career, rather than the more generous final-year formula previously used.

According to a report by Belga News Agency, the proposal is intended to address longstanding public criticism over the privileged retirement terms enjoyed by elected officials.

The parties behind the reform argue that aligning MP pensions with civil service rules would increase transparency, reduce perceived inequality, and strengthen public trust in democratic institutions.

“This is about fairness and credibility,” a government spokesperson told Belga. “We are applying to ourselves the same expectations we ask of other public employees.”

Belgium has one of the highest public pension expenditures in the European Union, at around 12 per cent of GDP, according to Eurostat.

The country’s ageing population and persistent fiscal pressures have triggered multiple debates in recent years on how to maintain a sustainable and equitable pension system across all sectors.

Critics of the Belgian proposal, however, argue that the measures are largely symbolic. Some opposition figures have called for a more comprehensive overhaul of political compensation and questioned whether the reforms will deliver substantial fiscal savings.

The legislation will now proceed through the federal parliament for debate and possible amendment, with implementation expected in early 2026 if passed.

---