Work longer – but at what cost?
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At the same time as politics pushes for a longer working life, a new survey from Swedbank, which E55 reports on during the day, shows that three out of four Swedes over 55 experience obstacles to changing jobs. Four out of ten believe that employers do not want to hire someone who is approaching retirement.
“If we are to work longer, the labor market must also function at a higher age,” says Swedbank’s economist Madelén Falkenhäll.
Many find themselves in a bind: they can’t afford to retire but can’t get a new job either.
In the end, it can lead to involuntary, early retirement, something that, according to calculations, can cost between SEK 3,000 and 5,000 a month for life. For society, it is about billions in lost tax revenue and pensions.
The target age – important to keep track of
At the same time, minPension has tried to teach the Swedes a little more about the legal age. Necessary, it might seem, since only eight percent know the term.
According to minPension, the target age, which will be introduced from 2026, is intended as a recommendation for when the pension should be drawn to correspond to the levels of previous generations. For those born between 1960 and 1966, the target age is set at 67, and for younger generations even higher.
The target age also governs when guaranteed pension and housing allowance can be paid. However, income and premium pension can be withdrawn no earlier than three years before the target age. How the occupational pension works varies depending on the agreement – something many fail to check in time.
Young people dream of early retirement
At the same time, Generation Z dreams of early retirement.
According to Dagens PS, many young Americans want to retire as early as 59, but expect themselves to have to work until around 67. Among young Swedes, the gap is even greater. Here, the younger generation dreams of stopping work at 63. Nevertheless, they expect to have to work until 72, i.e. nine years longer.
Experts point out that the dream requires early and structured savings – something few prioritize today.
Six trends shaping pensions going forward
We end the day with trends. A new report from SPP, which News55 writes about, points out six clear pension trends ahead of 2026.
This includes a longer working life, more job bonuses, increased financial anxiety and a growing need for advice. Women’s pension gap – on average a 30 percent lower pension than men’s – persists, while many find the pension system difficult to understand.
Also read: The low-price trend continues to be hot: “No slowdown in sight”. Real time
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