Belgium: Increasing number of citizens work past age 66

An increasing number of Belgians are choosing to continue working beyond the legal retirement age of 66. Data from HR service provider Acerta indicates that the proportion of employees over 66 rose from 1.48% in early 2024 to 2.03% in the first half of this year.

This trend is driven in part by financial incentives. Currently, a retirement bonus offers a 2% increase in monthly benefits for each additional year worked, a figure expected to rise to 4% or 5% for those retiring in 2030 or 2040. Additionally, employers are adapting workplaces to better accommodate older staff.

Long-term data from Steunpunt Werk shows a significant shift in the Belgian labor market: the employment rate for those aged 55-64 rose from 38.7% fifteen years ago to 61.5% last year. Furthermore, the average retirement age increased by two years between 2013 and 2023, moving from 59.4 to 61.4 years.