Denmark to Raise Retirement Age to 70 by 2040, the Highest in Europe
Work News | New Stardom
Photo by Emily Zhang
Denmark has passed legislation to gradually increase its state retirement age to 70 by 2040, making it the highest in Europe. The reform applies to people born after 31 December 1970 and will be implemented in phases: age 68 by 2030, 69 by 2035, and 70 by 2040.
The bill passed in the Danish parliament with 81 votes in favor and 21 against, and reflects a longstanding policy of linking pension eligibility to rising life expectancy. Denmark currently reviews its retirement age every five years, adjusting for demographic and fiscal conditions.
Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen defended the law as necessary to “afford proper welfare for future generations.” The government’s position is that the system must adapt to increasing longevity, life expectancy in Denmark is currently around 82 years.
According to Statistics Denmark, nearly 580,000 Danes are already over 70, and the number of people working past the pension age is growing. The Danish trade association F&P reported that approximately 80,000 people above pension age remain in the workforce, citing improved health, employer flexibility, and personal choice as key reasons.
Still, not all reactions have been positive. Labour unions and opposition parties warn that raising the pension age does not account for differences in physical strain between professions. A roofer quoted by the BBC said, “We’re working and working and working, but we can’t keep going,” arguing that the system should reflect job type, not just birthdate.
Denmark is the first European country to officially set its national pension age at 70. But it is not alone in facing pressure to raise retirement thresholds. In France, a 2023 reform raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, sparking mass protests. Earlier this year, the French audit office declared that maintaining the existing system is “impossible,” calling for longer working lives and restructured pension indexation.
Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK are also moving toward retirement ages of 67 or higher by the early 2030s. While Denmark’s policy is the most ambitious to date, the direction of travel across Europe is increasingly aligned.
Whether other countries follow Denmark’s lead or opt for more flexible approaches remains to be seen. For now, Denmark has drawn a new line in the European pension debate, raising the bar to 70.
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