1 B2 neutral
To make someone retire from their job by giving them a pension, often implying the decision is not entirely the person's own choice.
"The company pensioned off its oldest engineers when it restructured the department."
separable
pension off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To force or allow someone to retire by giving them a pension, or to discard something old and replace it.
In plain English
To make someone stop working by giving them regular retirement money, or to throw away something old and worn out.
What does "pension off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To discard or retire an old or worn-out object and replace it with something newer.
"They finally pensioned off the old photocopier and bought a modern one."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To send someone off with a pension.
Actually means
To make someone stop working by giving them regular retirement money, or to throw away something old and worn out.
Usage tip
Often used with a slightly dismissive tone when referring to people, implying the decision was made by an employer rather than the employee. When applied to objects, it suggests the item is outdated or no longer fit for purpose. More common in British English than American English.
Words that pair with "pension off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
workers employees equipment horses machinery soldiers
How to conjugate "pension off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pension off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pensions off
he/she/it
Past simple
pensioned off
yesterday
Past participle
pensioned off
have + pp
-ing form
pensioning off
continuous
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