Effective retirement age above target
Finns continue to extend their working lives. Last year, the average effective retirement age was 62.8 years. At the same time, the number of new pensioners fell significantly.
Finns continue to extend their working lives. Last year, the average effective retirement age was 62.8 years. At the same time, the number of new pensioners fell significantly.
According to a recent survey of newly retired people, financial incentives have contributed to later retirement for about one third of the respondents. However, just under one third feel that employer encouragement, improved leadership skills or valuing the experience of older workers would have persuaded them to continue working.
Many persons who draw the partial old-age pension continue working as before, with-out changes to their wage level. Only every fifth person on this pension benefit seems to have cut down on working. This is evident in a recent study by the Finnish Centre for Pensions.
Employers who face difficulties recruiting workers are not necessarily more willing than other employers to hire persons over the age of 55. These employers invest in older workers only if they have a more positive perception of older workers than employers have on average. This is evident in a fresh research article by the Finnish Centre for Pensions.
In 2022, the median insured monthly earnings of employees were 3,000 euros. For the self-employed and farmers, the median monthly insured incomes were 1,350 euros. The largest earnings were received by those in the age group 45–49 years, recent statistics of the Finnish Centre for Pensions reveal.
Despite the shortage of skilled workers in Finland, the country’s Government makes it difficult for (labour) immigrants to enter the country, get permanent residence and citizenship, argues Senior Researcher Pasi Saukkonen (Urban Research and Statistics Unit of the City of Helsinki). More important than the number of immigrants is their successful integration, but the Finnish Government’s cuts in social security and required resources for integration affects integration unfavourably, Saukkonen argues.
Half of the newly retired old-age pensioners are interested in working in retirement. According to a survey conducted by the Finnish Centre for Pensions, most persons who have worked in retirement have continued working for the same employer and with similar tasks. The work is often irregular and occasional.
The Ministry for Social Affair and Health has confirmed the life expectancy coefficient for 2024. The coefficient will reduce starting pensions by 5.3 per cent, which is less than in 2023. The lower life expectancy coefficient is due to high mortality during the corona pandemic.
This year, Finland ranked sixth in the international Global Pension Index comparison. For the tenth time in a row, Finland received the highest index value in the integrity sub-index (reliable and transparent governance).
Every third woman and every second man aged 35 in Finland are childless although Finns dream of having two children. Consortium Director Marika Jalovaara (FLUX, University of Turku) argues that it’s not about employment or income but about impressions and social capital. Online dating may favour the high-educated.
Finnish Centre for Pensions – Central body of and expert on statutory earnings-related pensions