One in 10 Belgian pensioners continues working after retirement
A Statbel survey reveals that nearly one in 10 pensioners continues working in the first six months of retirement, with the most common reasons being a desire to stay productive and enjoying their work.
Nearly 40 per cent of Belgians aged 50 to 74 receive a pension. The Statbel survey, conducted in 2023, included responses from nearly 14,000 people.
The main reason given for continuing to work was a desire to “enjoy work and stay productive,” which was cited by 44.1 per cent of respondents. Another 15.7 per cent said they continued working “out of financial necessity to earn a sufficient income”, while 13.3 per cent did so “to maintain social contacts.”
Men were more likely to report enjoying work as a reason, while women more frequently cited maintaining social contacts as a key motivator.
The average age at which individuals began receiving their first pension was 62.5. The majority (63.3 per cent) only received a statutory pension without any supplementary pension. 17.6 per cent said they received a statutory pension combined with a supplementary pension through an individual plan, such as pension savings.
Among those aged 50 to 74 who have not yet started receiving a statutory pension, nearly 70 per cent plan to retire at the legal retirement age. Around 26 per cent aim to retire early, while only 4 per cent plan to retire after the legal retirement age.
© BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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