More than one in three employees prepared to work until the age of 65

By the end of last year, more than one third of employees indicated they were ready to work until the age of 65. Considerably fewer people (only 12 percent) were prepared to continue to work beyond 65. Just over half of employees indicate they want to retire at 65.

Enthusiasm most obvious among higher educated population

Last year, 36 percent of employees aged between 15 and 65 were prepared to work until 65. Approximately 35 percent preferred to stop working prior to their 65th birthday and the remainder were undecided. In 2005, only 21 percent were prepared to continue until 65 years of age. Higher educated employees were more often willing to continue in comparison to employees educated at lower or secondary level. Last year, 41 percent of higher educated employees wanted to carry on, against 34 percent of employees educated at lower and secondary level.

Just over half of higher educated employees think they can actually carry on until their 65th birthday. Lower and secondary-level educated employees more often indicate a less demanding job would enable them to continue to work.

Readiness and capability to continue to work after the age of 65 by education level, end of 2008

Few employees willing to work beyond 65

More than one in ten employees indicate they want to continue to work beyond the age of 65. Some 15 percent of higher educated as opposed to 10 percent of lower and secondary-level educated prefer to remain active on the labour market. More men (14 percent) than women (9 percent) want to carry on beyond 65. People employed in the sectors construction, manufacturing industry and health care are most reluctant to continue after the age of 65.

Readiness to continue working until and beyond the age of 65 by sector, end of 2008

People in stressful jobs prefer easier jobs

People working in physically or psychosocially demanding jobs, such as emotionally draining jobs or if they are bullied by their colleagues, less often think they can continue until 65. They frequently indicate that a less demanding job would enable them to carry on longer.

Marjolein Korvorst and Jannes de Vries