Denmark Approves Controversial Retirement Age Hike to 70 by 2040

Denmark’s parliament passed a bill Thursday to gradually raise the retirement age to 70 by 2040—the highest in Europe—with 81 votes in favor and 21 against, Anadolu Agency reported. The law applies to those born after January 1, 1971, following the 2006 Welfare Agreement’s life-expectancy-linked model: 68 by 2030, 69 by 2035, and 70 by 2040.

Despite majority support, the move faced backlash from unions, workers, and even within PM Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democratic Party. Horsens Mayor Peter Sørensen called 70 “the maximum limit,” urging reductions. Frederiksen hinted this may be the last automatic increase but left room for future adjustments. Denmark’s life expectancy is currently 81.5 years (OECD).