Starting in 2026, a so-called target age will be introduced in the Swedish pension system. The target age determines when it is "appropriate" to start drawing a pension to achieve an acceptable pension level and is adjusted based on how average life expectancy develops. But if we put on the devil's advocate hat and look at the decision coldly, we must ask:
What does it really mean to raise the retirement age in a society where fewer can work longer, where class differences grow, and where quality of life after work becomes a luxury for the few?
1. The Reality of Health - Not Everyone Stays Healthy Longer
Statistics show we live longer — but not necessarily healthier. Many professions, especially in healthcare, construction, transport, and industry, wear people down long before retirement age. Burnout, physical injuries, and chronic illnesses are realities that statistics fail to fully capture.
While office workers may go a few extra years without major problems, those with physically demanding jobs pay the price. More sick leaves, early retirements, and, eventually, even lower pensions are the consequences.
2. Class Divides Cemented and Worsened
Life expectancy increases — but not for all groups. Low-educated workers and immigrants do not have the same life expectancy as academics and high-income earners.
When the target age applies equally to everyone, regardless of background, a grotesque injustice is created: Those who have worked the hardest for society’s welfare get the least time to enjoy their pension.
3. Life After Work Shrinks
Historically, retirees were seen as individuals who could travel, spend time with grandchildren, and enjoy the last decades in freedom. But if the retirement age reaches 67, 68, or even 70, how much "life after work" remains?
Data shows that many seniors experience sharply declining health after 75. If you retire at 68, you may only get 5-7 years of reasonable quality of life before age-related illnesses take over.
Is it reasonable to work your entire life and receive only a few years at best as a reward?
4. Youth Opportunities Are Blocked
When seniors remain longer in the workforce, it blocks natural career paths for younger generations. Higher youth unemployment and delayed career starts risk creating a society where young people must wait decades to reach key positions.
At the same time, increasing frustration may grow among the young who see their future closed off by an older generation that "never retires."
5. Increased Risk of Elderly Poverty
Many cannot work until the target age. Those forced to retire earlier face significant economic consequences: each year you draw your pension before the target age significantly lowers your pension.
This especially affects:
-
Women (who often worked part-time)
-
Low-income earners
-
People with immigrant backgrounds
The result? A growing proportion of elderly living in financial vulnerability.
6. Minimal Adaptation by Employers
Despite lofty rhetoric about "lifelong work," few employers invest in real adaptations for older workers:
-
Adjusted job tasks
-
Flexible working hours
-
Partial retirements
-
Ergonomic investments
All of these are exceptions, not the rule.
Without support, older workers risk being thrown between unemployment, sick leave, and early retirement.
7. A Society Without Rest
Retirement was once a recognition of a completed work life. But when the goal is pushed beyond the horizon, what message do we send to citizens?
-
"Work until you collapse."
-
"Don't enjoy life, produce."
-
"Your value is measured in years worked, not life lived."
This creates a colder, harder societal spirit where human value is measured by productivity, not humanity.
What Should We Do Instead? Devil's Proposals:
-
Differentiated Retirement Ages Based on Occupation and Life Expectancy
-
Heavy professions must have lower retirement ages.
-
High-income earners and office workers can have a higher target age.
-
-
Real Investment in Older Workers' Work Environment
-
Ergonomics, part-time work, support for retraining, and flexible retirements.
-
-
Strengthened Basic Protection for Pensioners
-
Increased guaranteed pension and housing supplements to prevent poverty.
-
-
Cultural Change Around the End of Work Life
-
View retirement as a natural and dignified part of life, not a failure.
-
-
Invest in Young People's Entry Into the Labor Market
-
Create bridges between generations instead of competition.
-
Final Words – People Before Productivity
It is true that societies must adapt as people live longer. But let us not make the mistake of seeing longer life solely as more years of work.
We must ask: What is a life worth?
If we allow a system where people work until they collapse, we risk losing something invaluable: human dignity, freedom, and the joy of living.
The devil's advocate whispers one last question into our ears:
Do you really want to work until you die?
By Chris...
Add comment
Comments