# pension

/ˈpɛnʃən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pension
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 3. to give a pension

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give someone a regular payment so they can stop working.

For teachers: to grant a pension to an individual, often as a requirement for their retirement.

- The company decided to pension off the older staff to make room for new graduates.
- After forty years of loyal service, the clerk was finally pensioned off with a modest ceremony and a gold watch.

Usage: Commonly appears in the phrasal verb 'pension off'.

## Examples

- He lives comfortably on his state pension.
- After forty years of service at the firm, she retired with a generous private pension and a gold watch.
- Economists warn that the aging population will place an unprecedented strain on the national pension system, potentially requiring a higher retirement age to maintain fiscal stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.