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Denmark will soon become the country with the highest retirement age among the member states of the European Union, after the Danish parliament made a decision to gradually raise the age limit to 70.

This change has sparked strong reactions among citizens, especially among those engaged in physically demanding occupations. Many point out that it is hard to imagine someone being able to work until that age while still having enough time and energy for family, especially for grandchildren.

The trend of increasing the retirement age is not new in Europe. Numerous countries, faced with demographic challenges and ever longer life expectancy, are introducing similar measures. Croatia, for example, has for now avoided such an increase with the latest pension reform coming into force in July, but Danish workers were not so lucky. According to the new law, the retirement age in Denmark will gradually increase so that by 2040 it will amount to 70 years, which is the highest limit in the European Union, states index.hr.

As early as 2006, Denmark introduced a rule according to which the retirement age is aligned with life expectancy, which currently stands at 82 years. Every five years this limit is revised, so the retirement age is currently 67. It is projected to rise to 68 in 2030, and to 69 in 2035. The new limit of 70 years will apply to everyone born after December 31, 1970. The law passed in parliament with 81 votes in favor and 21 against. The right to a pension in Denmark is obtained if a person has paid contributions for at least 40 years and had registered residence in the country, counting from the age of 15 until retirement age.

Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen of the Social Democratic Party, announced last year the possibility of reconsidering the automatic increase of the retirement age. She pointed out that she no longer believes that the retirement age should automatically rise, noting that it is not realistic to constantly ask people to work one more year longer. Despite those announcements, the new law is nevertheless moving in the opposite direction, which has caused additional dissatisfaction among workers.

Those who do physically strenuous jobs are especially dissatisfied. Tommas Jensen, a 47-year-old roofer, said in an interview with Danish media that it is hard to imagine someone being able to continue working until the age of 70, especially in his profession. He emphasizes that he has paid taxes and contributed to society his whole life, and believes that people should also have time for family, especially for children and grandchildren.

The decision of the Danish parliament has opened numerous questions about the future of work and pension systems, not only in Denmark, but also in the rest of Europe. Many are wondering how sustainable it is to expect people to work until such an advanced age, especially in occupations that require physical effort, and whether such measures will affect the quality of life of older citizens in the long term