The number of pensioners who continue to work continues to increase. Today, they are more than 100,000 to continue their activity despite retirement. They were only 67,000 10 years ago. We followed Marcel, the coach driver. Between passion and financial necessity, he decided to pursue his professional career.
I continue because I like it
It’s 5am. And like every day for 35 years, Marcel is already up. The morning routine is almost mechanical. Marcel, 70, enjoys a special moment with Françoise, his partner, during breakfast. “It’s the best time of the day. We know why we get up”said Marcel, sipping a croissant and coffee.
Marcel worked for 35 years as a coach driver. He has been on a pension for five years. But for him, there was no doubt. He continues his activity. “It’s my whole life: getting up in the morning, going to work. And now, since I retired, it’s been five years, I continue because I like it”he says before entering his vehicle.
If we want to have the lifestyle we have when we work, we have to continue a little bit
From now on, Marcel is in charge of the school bus service. It starts daily at 6:10 a.m. “If I had several million, I might be in the sun, on the beach… Some are engineers, bosses. Me, I’m a bus driver”.
Marcel works 25 hours a week. “At ease, that’s the miracle word for driving in a car or bus. I like it, as long as I still know how to do it, I do it”. Driving is certainly his passion. But his motivation is also financial. His pension is €1,800. His activity allows him to earn an additional €1,200. “The pension is what it is. I’m not going to say it’s bad. But, if you want to have the lifestyle you have when you work, you have to continue a little bit, if you on occasion. It’s also one of the reasons why I continue”.
The day when things are not going well, I stop
This pensioner still feels in great shape: “At 70, I feel more or less like I’m 20, 30. The joints are maybe a little stiffer. The day it doesn’t work anymore, I stop. But I’m not tired “.
His company has 3,000 drivers, of whom nearly 700 are retired, or 20% of the workforce. These are essential.
In 2050, Belgium will have nearly one million additional pensioners. The population is ageing. Profiles like Marcel’s will be even more sought after. Some will have to continue working. Belgium is also lagging behind. Currently, 9% of those over 65 are working. The European average is 20%.