While between 760,000 according to the Ministry of the Interior and two million people according to the unions demonstrated on Tuesday February 7 in France for the third day of mobilization against the pension reform which sets the legal retirement age at 64 , direction Denmark in the choice of franceinfo where we will soon have to work until 70 years.
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In this northern European country, the retirement age is indexed to life expectancy. In Denmark, there is no debate that if you live longer, then you have to work longer. Currently, the retirement age is set at 67 years. In 2035, it will be 69 years old and 70 years old in 2040. One of the consequences of this reform (started more than 20 years ago) is that the employment rate of seniors in Denmark is one of the highest bred in Europe.
72.3% of 50-64 year olds work in Denmark compared to 56% in France. And the most surprising thing is that more and more of them are also working after retirement. Steen Nielsen is the head of the Confederation of Danish Industries. “The number of people who continued to work after the legal retirement age – has doubled – in the last 10 years”he assures. “During this same period, 100,000 people over 60 entered the labor market.”
Still working at over 70
Example with this gentleman who speaks six languages including French, who works in an amusement park in the center of Copenhagen: “My name is Alain Larsen, 71 years old”he said. “I work in security and service. I keep working because I like it! I look good when I go to work because I dress up, I shave, I feel like I’m younger.”, he explains. “VSIt makes me feel good because if I stay at home with my grandchildren, it’s not the same thing! It’s not not Alain, it’s grandpa, it’s not me!”
Alain is not a special case. And what he says there perfectly illustrates the state of mind of certain seniors. “For a growing number of older people, work is part of their identity”according Thomas Elberg political adviser for an association for the defense of the elderly (Aeldre Sagen) which has 900,000 members and which has carried out several studies on this subject.
“Older people want to be the ones who decide. For example: Monday, being with the little children, Tuesday playing golf and Wednesday, taking a part-time job.”
Thomas Elberg, adviser in an association for the defense of seniorsat franceinfo
It’s now firmly rooted in Danish culture and you can see it – for example – if you take the bus: in Copenhagen, three-quarters of the bus drivers are over 50 years old. Among them, Pia 68 years old. “When I’m sitting at the front of my bus, I’m the boss!”launches the sexagenarian. “I work 20 hours a week, which gives me time to do what I want, she continues, I do sewing, I go out with my friends in town. It’s nice too! But every day, no! When I go to work, I feel alive!”
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In other words, the legal retirement age no longer means much. Everyone leaves when they want and of course when they can. Those who are ill, who started early or who have had a difficult job can leave before the age of 67. This system is unanimously accepted, including by the unions – who would nevertheless like to slow down this inexorable rise in the retirement age.
Difficult to find a job after 50 years
For those who have lost their jobs or who are unemployed, this is where the shoe pinches. In Denmark, as in France, after the age of 50, it is difficult to find work. The association “senior erhverv” established throughout the country is therefore there to help them. Helping Steen turns 70. He was fired by an American company. According to him – because of his age. He has been retired for five years, but he continues to look for work. “There are companies that contact me from time to time, but when they find out my age, it’s radio silence! It’s a Danish specialty and something really needs to be done.”
The Danish government has become aware of this problem and now it is illegal to mention age on your CV. “This change was introduced because we put pressure on politicians, but in reality, it will not change much, continues Helping Steen. “Companies are always going to find a way to find your age, so it’s a small progress, but there’s still a lot to do to change the mindset in this country.”
In any case, it is the goal of the Danish government which absolutely wants to make seniors work after retirement: there is even an incentive for a bonus of 6,000 euros for all those who work 12 months after the legal age.