The Minister for Pensions, Daniel Bacquelaine, will commence the social dialogue on important reforms, such as, inter alia, raising the statutory retirement age
The draft bills presented to the Council of Ministers on Friday 3rd April focus on pension reforms that were inscribed into the coalition agreement. These reforms pertain to:
- Raising the statutory retirement age to 66 in 2025 and 67 in 2030 ;
- Continuing the reforms, thereby adapting the conditions in terms of age and number of years worked to be eligible for early retirement: the minimum age set at 62 in 2016 will be increased by one year : 62.5 in 2017 and 63 in 2018. Exceptions shall apply to people with long careers.
- Continuing the reforms on raising the minimum age to be entitled to a survivor’s pension. The previous government had set this age at 50. This age will gradually be increased to 55 in 2030.
These draft bills were elaborated jointly by the three competent government bodies (ONP, SdPSP and INASTI), thereby guaranteeing a coherent and faithful implementation of the coalition agreement.
For Daniel Bacquelaine this first reading by the Council of Ministers marks the start of the social dialogue that will take place simultaneously for each of the pension schemes. The social dialogue will be set up by the customary consultative bodies (ONP Steering Committee, Steering Committee A and the Steering Committee for self-employed people) and will last until the end of May.
At the end of this social dialogue the Council of Ministers will re-examine the various draft bills.
These reforms are indispensable if we want to maintain both our pensions and social security system. These reforms are in accordance with the recommendations for our country made by the European Commission.
It is high time to set the record straight: even if these reforms – which by the way have already been implemented in most European countries – oblige our citizens to work a little bit longer, this does not mean that - in spite of the fear mongering going on - everybody will have to work until the age of 67!
If certain conditions are fulfilled, it will always be possible to take up early retirement. People who started their careers at the age of 18, will still be able to retire at 61.
The workload of certain professions will be taken into account, thereby enabling the employees in question to take up early retirement. It must be emphasized that a carpenter will not have to climb on roofs until the age of 67!
Last but not least, the government intends to set up part-time retirement. This new scheme will ensure a smooth transition between a full-time career and full-time retirement.
The National Pension Committee, which will be installed next June, will first and foremost focus on professions with a heavy workload. This social dialogue is essential, as it must enable us – in the light of the coalition agreement - « to determine the best possible modalities for taking up (early) retirement and calculating pensions ».
Daniel Bacquelaine : « Now it is up to the parties to the social dialogue to play ball. We will take their concerns into account on condition that they do not question the need for these reforms. These reforms are indispensable if we want to be able to pay pensions in the long term and provide our elderly with decent living conditions. »
Contact
Koen Peumans, spokesperson of Daniel Bacquelaine, Minister for Pensions
+32(0)473/81.11.06 - koen.peumans@bacquelaine.fed.be
