Denmark Raises Retirement Age to 70 by 2040.. Major Impact for Belgian Workforce

Denmark Raises Retirement Age to 70 by 2040 Impacting Belgium

The legal retirement age, linked to life expectancy, is reviewed every five years. Belgium’s next increase to 67 in 2030 sparks curiosity.

Marie Dupont23 May 2025Last Update : 12 hours ago

Denemarken trekt pensioenleeftijd op naar 70 jaar tegen 2040

www.vrt.be

The retirement age is a hot topic across Europe, and recent changes in how it is calculated are drawing attention. On 2025-05-23 15:17:00, a new law was passed introducing a retirement age linked to life expectancy, a system gaining popularity in several European countries. This approach aims to adapt pension policies to demographic shifts and longer lifespans.

6 Key Takeaways

Herbekijkt pensioenleeftijd elke vijf jaar
Koppelt pensioenleeftijd aan levensverwachting
Nieuwe pensioenleeftijd 70 jaar na 1970
Wet aangenomen met meerderheid stemmen
Huidige pensioenleeftijd in België 66 jaar
Verhoogt pensioenleeftijd naar 67 in 2030

Under the new legislation, the retirement age will rise to 70 years for those born after December 31, 1970. The law passed with a strong majority of 81 votes in favor and 21 against, signaling broad political support for this shift. But what does this mean for Belgians, where the retirement age is currently set differently?

Belgium’s legal retirement age stands at 66 years since January, with a planned increase to 67 years by 2030. Unlike the new system adopted elsewhere, Belgium has yet to link its retirement age directly to life expectancy. How might this impact the sustainability of Belgian pensions moving forward? The fast answer provides a clear summary.

Fast Answer: Belgium maintains a fixed retirement age of 66, rising to 67 in 2030, without linking it to life expectancy, unlike the new European trend of adjusting pension age based on longevity.

Why is linking retirement age to life expectancy gaining traction, and should Belgium consider this model? The new system reflects demographic realities but raises questions about fairness and economic impact. Key points to consider include:

Linking pension age to life expectancy helps balance pension costs with longer working lives.
Belgium’s fixed retirement age may face sustainability challenges as life expectancy rises.
Adjusting retirement age can encourage longer workforce participation but may affect younger generations differently.

Belgian policymakers will need to monitor demographic Trends closely to decide if adopting a life expectancy-linked retirement age could benefit the country’s pension system in the future.

As pension debates continue across Europe, Belgium faces important choices about its retirement policies. Will it follow the emerging European model or maintain its current approach? Staying informed and engaged will be crucial for all Belgians as these changes unfold.