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.”
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

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

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Seven major companies offer training to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence
L’Oréal, Engie, LVMH, Publicis, Accor and Orange are encouraging their staff to take part in the Safe Spaces training programme on domestic and sexual violence, developed by insurance...
10 November 2025
Romania: collective agreement extended to entire insurance sector
On 3 November, Romania’s National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue approved the extension of the collective labour agreement signed on 23 May by the Confederation of Employers in the...
United Kingdom largely retained within scope of EWCs despite Brexit, study shows
A study published this month by the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the French trade union research organisation, examined how the involvement of British representatives in European...
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Germany: pensioners in work already common practice, study shows
As the German government steps up measures to encourage people to stay in work beyond the legal retirement age, a new study by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) – an independent...
2
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
3
France: social conference on labour and pensions to proceed without main employers’ group
The preparatory meeting ahead of the social conference on labour and pensions, which is set to decide on the pension system model and the funding thereof, was held on 4 November at France's labour...
4
Luxembourg: two pension reform bills submitted to parliament
After lengthy negotiations with the social partners, in mid-October the Luxembourg government submitted two bills to parliament aimed at reforming the pension system to ensure its long-term...
5
Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”
Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...