Danish government gives up on raising retirement age

No majority found as DF and Socialdemokratiet dig their heels in

The government has abandoned its plans to increase the Danish retirement age by six months to 67.5 years.

The government has been forced to drop the issue because it was unable to secure a majority in Parliament due to Socialdemokratiet and Dansk Folkeparti refusing to sign on.

“Today, we live longer than expected and there is also a need for extra hands, so it would be reasonable to adjust the issue to create greater equality between the generations and ensuring our future and welfare,” said PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

“But it’s tough to see any chance of finding a majority on it, so the government has decided the plans we will present in a week’s time will not include that element.”

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Living longer
The government has proposed raising the retirement age in Denmark a number of times over the past year as the life expectancy of Danes has increased faster than expected.

In August, the subject was part of the government’s 2025 plan proposal, and three months later the issue was in play again in connection with the new platform when Venstre joined forces with Liberal Alliance and Konservative to form a new government.