Belgium: employers stir up heated debate on pension reform

Base pensions on life expectancy. Inversely, life expectancy has been increasing since the 1970s. “In 1975, people lived, in average, until 75; now they live until 85” explained Klaas Soens, researcher at the FEB’s social unit. Therefore, the employers’ organization proposes to follow the Swedish system and include “life expectancy” in the way pensions are calculated. “Today, they are only based on the number of years worked – or equivalent – and this system isn’t viable!” Peter Timmermans, FEB general secretary, protested. “In fact, our goal is to increase the activity rate of people over 50 – one of the lowest in Europe” he went on. Indeed, around 64% of workers over 55 are allegedly ‘not available,’ i.e. not able to perform a professional activity. Another idea is to encourage supplementary pensions and revise early retirement (prépension) which Klaas Soens claims to be “too appealing.” “Early retirement should only apply in exceptional circumstances, i.e. restructuring for instance.”
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e “life expectancy” in the way pensions are calculated. “Today, they are only based on the number of years worked – or equivalent – and this system isn’t viable!” Peter Timmermans, FEB general secretary, protested. “In fact, our goal is to increase the activity rate of people over 50 – one of the lowest in Europe” he went on. Indeed, around 64% of workers over 55 are allegedly ‘not available,’ i.e. not able to perform a professional activity. Another idea is to encourage supplementary pensions

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