Denmark's Parliament has voted to raise the official retirement age to 70, making it the highest in Europe.

The legislative decision saw 81 votes in favor and 21 against.

This new law will apply to individuals born after December 31, 1970.

Currently, the retirement age is set at 67 on average, with a gradual increase to 69 for those born on January 1, 1967, or later.

The decision is viewed by government officials as necessary for maintaining sustainable welfare for future generations.

Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen emphasized the need for adjustments in retirement age to ensure the viability of Denmark’s welfare system.

Official statistics indicate that Denmark's population is approximately 6 million, with around 713,000 individuals aged between 60 and 69, and roughly 580,000 aged 70 to 79.

These demographic shifts have led to an observed trend where a notable number of Danes choose to work beyond the state pension age.

Reports estimate that there are currently about 80,000 people over retirement age actively employed in the Danish workforce.

According to the Danish trade association for insurance companies and pension funds, this trend is attributed to improved economic conditions, employer flexibility, financial incentives, and a desire among some older workers to remain engaged in the workforce.

Jan V. Hansen, the director of pensions at the association, remarked on the growing prevalence of individuals continuing their employment past the state pension age, highlighting both health and motivation factors.

The decision to raise the retirement age has met with criticism from various political factions, including the socialist Red-Green Alliance, which argued that the increase is excessively high.

Pelle Dragsted, a member of parliament for the Red-Green Alliance, described the decision as incomprehensible, particularly highlighting the disparities in retirement age benefits among different professions, especially those in physically demanding roles.

Denmark is now the first European nation to set its national retirement age beyond the 60s.

This legislative change aligns Denmark with countries like Libya, known for similarly high retirement ages.

In contrast, France saw significant protests in March 2023 against a planned retirement age increase to 64, which remains six years below Denmark’s new threshold.

Internationally, other countries are also adjusting their retirement policies.

In September, China enacted legislation to gradually raise the retirement age for men from 60 to 63 and for women based on occupation.

The United Kingdom has set its retirement age to increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028, while the United States, with a retirement age also approaching 67, allows access to Social Security benefits from age 62.

Overall, the trend towards raising retirement ages reflects broader global discussions around aging populations, economic viability of pension systems, and the changing landscape of work in later life.