Working Until Death? Denmark Raises Retirement Age

Denmark's parliament decided on Thursday to increase the retirement age from the current 67 to 70 in 2040. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen promised that the age limit would not be raised again, despite the expected further increase in life expectancy.

The decision to require working until the age of 70 applies to Danes born after December 31, 1970. The changes, although milder, will also affect people approaching senior age. In 2030, the retirement age will be 68, and in 2035 it will be raised to 69.

The changes were supported by a large majority of the Folketing (parliament), although there were some critical voices during the two-hour debate. The positive decision stems from an agreement signed by the leading parties in 2006 to automatically increase the retirement age as people live longer.

If this rule were to be maintained, Danes would retire at the age of 74 in 2070. According to the promise of the Social Democratic Prime Minister Frederiksen, there will be no radical changes to the retirement age in the future. The political agreement on this matter is to be renegotiated.

In Denmark, the retirement age is the same for women and men.

Daniel Zyśk(PAP)

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