In a move that has sparked widespread frustration among its citizens, Denmark’s parliament has approved a plan to raise the retirement age to 70 by the year 2040 — the highest retirement age in Europe.
The decision, passed with 81 votes in favor and 21 against, marks a significant shift in Denmark’s retirement policy. Previously tied with countries such as Greece, Italy, Norway, Iceland, and the Netherlands for the oldest retirement age in Europe, Denmark will now surpass them by three years. The phased increase will see the retirement age rise to 68 by 2030, 69 by 2035, and eventually 70 by 2040.
Traditionally, Denmark has adjusted its retirement age to align with rising national life expectancy. The policy, which increases the retirement age every five years, is designed to balance the country’s social welfare system with demographic changes. However, the latest increase has reignited debates about fairness and the sustainability of such regular increments.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed reservations about the automatic nature of the raises, stating, “We no longer believe that the retirement age should be increased automatically. You can’t just keep saying that people have to work a year longer.”
Trade union leaders have also criticized the change. Jesper Ettrup Rasmussen, chairman of a major Danish trade union group, called the increase “completely unfair,” highlighting concerns that the policy undermines the right to a dignified senior life despite Denmark’s strong economy. “Denmark has a healthy economy and yet the EU’s highest retirement age,” he said bluntly.
The decision comes amid broader discussions across Europe about how to address aging populations and pension sustainability. While some countries have raised retirement ages to manage pension costs, Denmark’s new record-high threshold has intensified debates about work-life balance, economic security, and social justice for older workers.
For many Danes, the dream of early retirement is now further out of reach, with ordinary citizens voicing their dissatisfaction with what they see as an increasingly burdensome policy.
Sources By Agencies
