Denmark Raises Retirement Age

Denmark has taken a significant step by passing a law that will gradually increase the retirement age to 70 by the year 2040. This decision makes Denmark the country with the highest retirement age in Europe.

The new law outlines a phased approach to raising the retirement age. It will increase to 68 in 2030, then to 69 in 2035, before finally reaching 70 in 2040. This change will impact all individuals born after December 31, 1970.

However, this decision has not been met with universal approval. Some workers, especially those in physically demanding jobs, argue that working until 70 is unreasonable. Tommas Jensen, a 47-year-old roofer, expressed concerns about the impact on blue-collar workers, stating that it would be particularly challenging for those with physically demanding professions.

Despite the protests and concerns raised by trade unions, the Danish parliament passed the law with 81 votes in favor and 21 against. The government argues that this change is necessary to address the challenges posed by increasing life expectancy and to maintain a sustainable pension system.