Best Pension Lawyers in Marijampolė

About Pension Law in Marijampolė, Republic of Lithuania

Pension law in Marijampolė follows national Lithuanian legislation. The system is built on three pillars. Pillar I is the state social insurance pension funded by contributions paid to Sodra, the State Social Insurance Fund Board. Pillar II is funded accumulation in private pension funds, usually combined with a state top-up. Pillar III is voluntary private pension saving with tax incentives. Most residents interact with Sodra for their Pillar I old-age pension, disability pension, and survivors pension, while Pillar II and III are managed by licensed financial institutions supervised at the national level.

Retirement age in Lithuania is increasing gradually and will be 65 for women and men by 2026. Eligibility and amounts depend on your insurance record with Sodra and the pension points you have accumulated. People in Marijampolė claim pensions through Sodra in person, online, or by mail. EU rules coordinate pension rights for those who have lived or worked in more than one EU or EEA country or Switzerland.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal help with pensions for several reasons. A lawyer can help if you believe Sodra has miscalculated your pension or denied eligibility. If you wish to retire early or defer retirement and want to understand long-term financial and legal effects, professional advice can be useful. If you worked in multiple countries, cross-border coordination can be complex and may require appeals or additional evidence. A lawyer can also represent you in disputes over survivors pensions, disability status or loss of working capacity assessments, or recovery claims when Sodra seeks to recoup alleged overpayments.

People often seek legal advice on how divorce, inheritance, or property division may affect Pillar II or Pillar III savings. If an annuity is required for Pillar II payouts, legal review of annuity terms can prevent disputes. If your employer failed to pay social insurance contributions, a lawyer can help you prove insured periods. When deadlines are approaching or you need to appeal an administrative decision, local counsel in Marijampolė can prepare submissions and represent you before administrative bodies and courts.

Local Laws Overview

Key legislation includes the Law on State Social Insurance Pensions, the Law on State Social Insurance, the Law on the Accumulation of Pensions, and tax legislation governing pension taxation and incentives. National procedural laws regulate complaints and administrative appeals. EU social security coordination rules apply to cross-border cases.

Core points relevant in Marijampolė include the following. Eligibility for an old-age pension generally requires a minimum insurance record. The pension amount has a base part and a variable part calculated from the pension points you have earned. Retirement age is on a statutory schedule that reaches 65 for everyone by 2026. Early retirement may be available several years before statutory age if conditions are met, with a reduction that is usually permanent. Deferring retirement can increase the pension.

Disability or loss of working capacity pensions, survivors pensions for spouses and children, and social assistance for those without sufficient insurance record are part of the framework. Pillar II savings are accumulated in your name and are usually paid as an annuity or in other forms depending on the total amount and the law in force at retirement. Pillar III savings are contractual and depend on the terms of your chosen product, subject to consumer protection and financial supervision rules. Pensions may be partially taxable if they exceed annually set non-taxable thresholds. Appeals of Sodra decisions follow administrative procedures with strict deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current retirement age in Lithuania?

Retirement age is increasing on a fixed schedule and will reach 65 for both women and men by 2026. The exact age for you depends on your date of birth. Check your Sodra account or contact Sodra in Marijampolė to confirm your personal retirement age.

How is my state old-age pension calculated?

Your pension has a base part and a variable part. The variable part is based on pension points accrued from your insured earnings and credited periods. Each year the value of a pension point and the base amount are set by the state. Your total insurance record and earnings history determine the result.

Can I retire early?

Early retirement is possible up to a limited number of years before the statutory age if you have the required insurance record. Early pensions are reduced, and the reduction is typically permanent. Get a calculation from Sodra before applying and consider legal advice to understand long-term effects.

What if I continue working while receiving a pension?

You may work while receiving a pension. Social insurance contributions may still apply to your earnings. Continuing to work can increase your pension in some cases when recalculations are made. Ask Sodra to explain how additional contributions will affect your benefits.

I worked in other EU countries. How will that affect my pension?

EU coordination rules allow periods of insurance from other EU or EEA countries and Switzerland to be aggregated. Each country pays its portion based on the periods completed there. Submit a pension claim to Sodra and provide details of all countries where you worked. Processing times may be longer due to cross-border verification.

Can I change my Pillar II pension fund?

Yes, you can switch Pillar II funds under the conditions set by law and your fund rules. There may be limits on how often you can switch and how units are transferred. Review the fees, risk profile, and performance before switching. A lawyer can review contractual terms if you have a dispute.

How are Pillar II benefits paid at retirement?

Depending on the total amount accumulated and the law in force when you retire, you may be required to purchase an annuity or you may receive periodic payments or a lump sum. If your accumulated amount is small, different payout rules may apply. Seek written options from your fund and Sodra before choosing.

Is my pension taxable?

Pensions can be partially taxable if they exceed the annual non-taxable threshold. The threshold and tax rates are set by law and may change each year. Sodra or your payer applies tax at source when required. For complex cases or combined pensions, consult a tax professional or lawyer.

What can I do if I think Sodra miscalculated my pension?

Request a detailed written decision and the calculation basis. You can file a complaint with Sodra within the statutory time limit. If not resolved, you may appeal to the Administrative Disputes Commission or the administrative court. A lawyer can help you gather evidence, meet deadlines, and present your case.

Do divorce or inheritance affect pension savings?

Pillar I state pensions are personal entitlements and are not divided in divorce. Pillar II and Pillar III accumulations are assets governed by family and inheritance law. Depending on the circumstances, they may be treated as marital property or pass to heirs. Legal advice is recommended in divorce or probate.

Additional Resources

Sodra - State Social Insurance Fund Board. Local client service is available in Marijampolė. General information and service requests can be made in person or by phone. Sodra national helpline in Lithuania is 1883, and for calls from abroad use the published international number.

Ministry of Social Security and Labour - Sets national pension policy and proposes legislation. Useful for policy updates and eligibility rules.

Bank of Lithuania - Supervises pension fund management companies and annuity providers. Handles consumer complaints related to financial services, including Pillar II and Pillar III products.

State Guaranteed Legal Aid Service - Provides primary and secondary legal aid if you qualify based on income or case type. Applications can be filed online or at designated offices.

Administrative Disputes Commission and Regional Administrative Courts - Review complaints against administrative decisions, including those by Sodra, within statutory deadlines.

Marijampolė Municipality social services - Information on social assistance for elderly residents who do not qualify for contributory pensions.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether you need to apply, recalculate, appeal, or plan for retirement. This will determine the documents and deadlines.

Collect documents. Prepare your ID, Sodra insurance record, employment contracts, pay slips, proof of contributions, documents of work abroad, and any Sodra decision letters. For Pillar II or III matters, collect fund statements and contracts.

Get an official calculation. Ask Sodra for a written estimate or decision showing how your pension was calculated. For Pillar II, request a payout options statement from your fund.

Check deadlines. Appeals have short time limits. Note the date on the decision letter and count the days for filing an internal complaint and any subsequent appeal.

Consult a local lawyer in Marijampolė. Choose someone experienced in social insurance and pension disputes. Bring your documents and a timeline of your work history, including any periods abroad.

File and follow up. Submit your application or appeal in writing and keep copies. Track your case status with Sodra or the relevant body. If needed, escalate to the Administrative Disputes Commission or to court with legal representation.

Plan holistically. Consider how early retirement, deferral, or combining work and pension will affect your long-term income and taxes. Review Pillar II and III options before making irreversible choices.

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation in Marijampolė, consult a qualified lawyer.