Pension or work to death? Europe rewrites the rules of old age

Instead of a well -deserved rest – “Active aging”. The elderly enters the labor market again, often at the cost of health and life.

Situation with pensions In Greece, it remains alarming. Most of the pensioners are forced to fight for elementary survival, since “Hungry pensions” Do not provide a decent standard of living. Increasingly, older people return to the labor market, faced with harsh conditions and risks for health.

According to the system “Ήλιος”the average age pension in June was 843.63 euros (before tax deduction). Average additional pension – 196.59 eurosand the average dividend – 113.26 euros. In this case, significant inequality between new pensions in state and private sectorswhich are issued Εφκα.

It is noteworthy that Six out of ten The main pensions by age are below 1.000 euros gross.

Pensioners are looking for work not at will, but as necessary

The government that claims the “triumph of the economy” and is proud of the surplus in 11.5 billion euros (2024), Refuses from real increase and recovery 13th and 14th pensionswhich are required by pensioners. Politics is hard savings In fact, makes a decent life impossible for a significant part of the elderly.

Extension of labor activity and the so -called “Active aging” It became for many not a choice, but a forced measure. Often, elderly people work in conditions of high intensity and without safety measures, which seriously threatens their health and life.

European prospect and raising the retirement age

At the same time, the topic appears in public discussion raising the retirement age taking into account the demographic crisis. IN Denmark The law on retirement in 70 years For the current 55-year-olds, causing protests. It is expected that at the end 2026 The Greek government will make similar decisions based on the Danish model.

It should be noted that today Greece has one of the highest age -old retirement planks in EU – 67 and 62 years (along with France, Denmark and Italy).

After retirement – how are things in Europe

According to the data OECRin most European countries, the average income of persons older than 65 years is lower than that of the entire population. In some cases, the income of pensioners is falling below 80% of the national average levelwhich contributes to high poverty indicators among the elderly.

According to data Euronewsthe structure of people’s income over 65 years in Europe looks like this:

• 66% – state benefits (pensions, social payments)
• 21% – income from work
• 7% – financial income (savings, investments)
• 6% – Private pension programs

In countries such as Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Greeceat least 75% of elderly revenues are provided with state pensions. At the same time in Switzerland (41%), UK (42%) And Netherlands (43%) This share is significantly lower.

Scandinavian countries (except Finland) are less dependent on the state: Sweden – 52%, Norway and Iceland – 58%. IN Turkeycandidate for joining the EU, 57% Elderly income is provided by state payments.

Work after pension

Private pension programs are extremely limited. Only seven countries record them as a significant part of the income:

• Netherlands – 40%
• Great Britain – 33%
• Switzerland – 29%
• Sweden – 19%
• Denmark – 15%
• Norway – 14%
• Germany – 5%

Income from work plays an important role: in a number of countries it exceeds third Pension budget. From 7% in France to 40% in Latvia. High rates are also recorded in Slovakia (36%), Lithuania (35%), Estonia and Poland (34%), Iceland (32%). More 20% Pensioners’ income is salaries in Turkey (27%), Hungary (26%), Slovenia (23%), Ireland and the Czech Republic (22%)as well as in Greece, Portugal and Spain (20–21%).

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