Latest news with #JesperEttrupRasmussen
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Denmark Raises Retirement Age to Record-Breaking High
For millions of people across the globe, the ultimate goal in their professional life is to retire early and enjoy the activities that mean the most to them. Unfortunately the European country of Denmark, that dream just slipped further away from ordinary citizens' fingertips. As reported by the BBC, Denmark's parliament has recently voted to extend the nation's retirement age to a whopping 70-years-old. Unsurprisingly, the new government change has average Danes groaning aloud in frustration. During the parliamentary proceedings, Denmark's government opted to increase the retirement age to 70 by 2040 -- a proposal passed by a vote of 81 votes for and 21 votes against. Through this decision, Denmark has set a new record for the highest retirement age in Europe, surpassing Greece, Italy, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands by three years. Previously, Denmark was tied with these leading European nations for the oldest retirement age on the continent. More recently, however, the retirement is set to rise to 68 by 2030, 69 by 2035 and eventually 70 by 2040. Traditionally, Denmark's parliament chooses to raise the retirement age in order to reflect the national life expectancy rates within the country, upping the retirement age every five years. However, many of Denmark's most influential politicians have voiced frustration with the policy, believing it "unfair" to increase the retirement age with such regularity. "We no longer believe that the retirement age should be increased automatically," said Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "You can't just keep saying that people have to work a year longer." Similarly, Jesper Ettrup Rasmussen -- chairman of a Danish trade union group -- called the increase "completely unfair." "Denmark has a healthy economy and yet the EU's highest retirement age," Rasmussen bluntly stated. "A higher retirement age means that [people will] lose the right to a dignified senior life." Denmark Raises Retirement Age to Record-Breaking High first appeared on Parade on May 27, 2025
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Denmark Raises Retirement Age to Record-Breaking High
For millions of people across the globe, the ultimate goal in their professional life is to retire early and enjoy the activities that mean the most to them. Unfortunately the European country of Denmark, that dream just slipped further away from ordinary citizens' fingertips. As reported by the BBC, Denmark's parliament has recently voted to extend the nation's retirement age to a whopping 70-years-old. Unsurprisingly, the new government change has average Danes groaning aloud in frustration. During the parliamentary proceedings, Denmark's government opted to increase the retirement age to 70 by 2040 -- a proposal passed by a vote of 81 votes for and 21 votes against. Through this decision, Denmark has set a new record for the highest retirement age in Europe, surpassing Greece, Italy, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands by three years. Previously, Denmark was tied with these leading European nations for the oldest retirement age on the continent. More recently, however, the retirement is set to rise to 68 by 2030, 69 by 2035 and eventually 70 by 2040. Traditionally, Denmark's parliament chooses to raise the retirement age in order to reflect the national life expectancy rates within the country, upping the retirement age every five years. However, many of Denmark's most influential politicians have voiced frustration with the policy, believing it "unfair" to increase the retirement age with such regularity. "We no longer believe that the retirement age should be increased automatically," said Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "You can't just keep saying that people have to work a year longer." Similarly, Jesper Ettrup Rasmussen -- chairman of a Danish trade union group -- called the increase "completely unfair." "Denmark has a healthy economy and yet the EU's highest retirement age," Rasmussen bluntly stated. "A higher retirement age means that [people will] lose the right to a dignified senior life." Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Denmark to raise retirement age to 70 by 2040, highest in Europe
'We no longer believe that the retirement age should be increased automatically,' she said. 'You can't just keep saying that people have to work a year longer.' Danish workers reacted with scorn to the new rules, warning that they would be particularly tough for blue-collar workers in physically demanding jobs. '[It's] unrealistic and unreasonable,' roofer Tommas Jensen, 47, told public broadcaster DR. 'We work and work and work, but we can't keep going.' He added: 'I've paid my taxes all my life. There should also be time to be with children and grandchildren.' The retirement regime has also been branded 'completely unfair' by Jesper Ettrup Rasmussen, the chairman of Denmark's confederation of trade unions. 'Denmark has a healthy economy and yet the EU's highest retirement age. A higher retirement age means that [people will] lose the right to a dignified senior life,' he said in comments reported by the BBC. The retirement age is a sensitive subject in Europe, with higher life expectancy and budget deficits pushing each generation to work for longer than its predecessor. As a result, Denmark's decision to have the highest retirement age somewhat contradicts its reputation as an exceedingly prosperous and comfortable Nordic state. In neighbouring Sweden, pension benefits can still be claimed by citizens as young as 63. In France, there were mass protests and riots when Emmanuel Macron's Government imposed a law raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. In the United Kingdom, those born between 1955 and 1960 generally start to receive their pension at 66, but the threshold gradually increases for those born after 1960.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Denmark raises retirement age to the highest in Europe, sparking fury: 'No time to be with grandchildren!'
Denmark is set to raise the retirement age to 70 - a move that has been heavily criticised by to-be pensioners. The Scandinavian country has tied the new retirement age to life expectancy, only affecting those who were born after 1971. The cap will rise from the current retirement age of 67 to 68 in 2030 and then to 69 in 2025. Tommas Jensen told Danish media 'we're working and working and working, but we can't keep going'. 'I've paid my taxes all my life. There should also be time to be with children and grandchildren.' The 47-year-old roofer went on to say the move was 'unreasonable' and highlighted the difference between working a desk job and jobs that are demanding of the body. The Danish government has been revising the retirement age every five years for the last two decades, with this new rule passed through their parliament yesterday 81 votes in favour to 21 against. But the Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has previously said these numbers would be renegotiated. She said: 'We no longer believe that the retirement age should be increased automatically.' She added that her party believed 'you can't just keep saying that people have to work a year longer'. Protests have been taking place in Copenhagen over the last few weeks as trade unions stood against the new changes. The chairman of a Danish trade union confederation, Jesper Ettrup Rasmussen, said ahead of the vote on Thursday that the proposal was 'completely unfair'. 'A higher retirement age means that [people will] lose the right to a dignified senior life.' 'Denmark has a healthy economy and yet the EU's highest retirement age,' he added. Retirement ages across Europe have been rising in recent years to meet budget deficits as well as the improved life expectancy. Brits born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1960 can begin to receive their pension from 66 but this will raise to 67 for people born after this period. This could increase as the State Pension age will also be repeatedly reviewed in the UK to address longer life expectancy. By comparison, people in Sweden can start claiming pension benefits from 63. But for those living in Italy, they will have to wait until they are 67 to receive their pension.
