The leader of the federal government has been asked to respond to a survey showing that two-thirds of Flemish people do not want to work until the age of 67, with the national average being 70%. The people in Brussels appear to be the least opposed to the idea (36% in favor), while the Walloons are the most resistant (27% in favor). The legal pension age is set to increase to 67 in 2030, instead of the current 65, and to 66 years in 2025. However, the Prime Minister believes that most Belgians are not worried as there is a difference between legal and effective retirement age, with workers typically retiring at 62 or 63. He believes that the career length is more important, noting that it lasts 42 or 43 years. The Prime Minister also suggested that “sacred cows” such as the retirement age of soldiers or train drivers should be discussed within the framework of the government’s reform, aiming to conclude by the summer holidays.
The head of the federal government was called upon to react to a poll showing that two out of three Flemings do not want to work until the age of 67. According to the Grand Barometer Ipsos-Le Soir-RTL-VTM-Het Laatste Nieuws, the national average raises it to 70% against. The people of Brussels are those who reject the measure the least (36% of favorable opinions), while the Walloons are the most refractory (27% in favor).
Following a decision taken under the previous legislature, the legal pension age will increase to 67 in 2030, instead of 65 currently. In 2025, the legal age will already increase to 66 years.
But according to the Prime Minister, the vast majority of Belgians are not concerned, because there is a difference between the legal age and the effective age. Currently, most workers retire, not at 65, but at 62 or 63. “What is important is the career,” said the Prime Minister, referring to a duration of 42 or 43 years.
According to Alexander De Croo, the age of 67 is therefore “a somewhat theoretical concept”, for those who have studied longer and therefore started working later.
With regard to the existing “sacred cows” – such as the retirement age of soldiers or SNCB drivers – the Prime Minister declared that, for him, this should also be discussed within the framework of the reform of the thought that the government aims to conclude by the summer holidays. “55 or 58 years old. It doesn’t seem logical to me,” the prime minister said. “We have to move to a system that is fair.”
In conclusion, while the poll may show that a significant number of Flemings are opposed to working until the age of 67, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo highlights that the effective retirement age tends to be lower than the legal age. Nonetheless, the government is still seeking to reform the retirement system to ensure fairness for all workers, including those in traditionally protected professions such as soldiers and SNCB drivers. It remains to be seen how these reforms will be implemented, but one thing is clear: retirement remains a complex issue that requires careful consideration and planning for all parties involved.