Increasing the pension age might be more acceptable if part of a package of policies promoting employment up till the pension age.
I haven't heard of such a package.
It may not be realistic to have this package up and ready now, and there is time (some 24 years, one could say) to fully develop one.
On the other hand, it is not realistic to expect much support for an increase which has been announced very much as a stand-alone measure.
There should at least be an outline of a package that makes employment of older people attractive, both to workers and to employers.
I think the creation of 'senior' positions has to be considered, whereby 'senior' refers to positions that fit older people and draw on their specific qualities, and not necessarily to high wages or more responsabilities.
I am not the first one to say that, but it is important that the very real problem of people turning obsolete is turned into a situation where people at the workplace can feel good and be appreciated until their retirement day.

By Hans Moerbeek | June 29, 2009 4:59 PM

I am confused.
"Labour party members are against cabinet plans to increase the state pension age from 65 to 67."
then
"Labour MPs have agreed in principle with a rise in the pension age..."

Which is it? Well, besides politics.

[Editors note: Labour party members are against but Labour MPs - who represent only a fraction of party members - voted in favour earlier}

By wilber | June 29, 2009 5:44 PM

I am totally against raising age of pension.Those that would like to continue working could continue, but you cannot force others to work until they die.
If they want to reform and solve problems with pension funds they 'd rather remove the CEOs and and other advisors the funds which earn millions while they were gambling and lost a great deal of money. Why should the employees be the first to pay?

By kos | June 29, 2009 11:10 PM

I reckon keep the pension at 65.
Iam 62 and finding it hard to keep my job because the younger ones get picked to do the work.

By Johanna Bolitho | June 30, 2009 11:05 AM

I am against raising age of pension. It’s not good to raise the age of pension cause older people above the 65 years are old and not able to do their work good like younger employees. All people in the world have the right on a nice pension what they building up in the years that they worked. But if the age of pension is raised from 65 till 67 are there a lot people who don’t has a nice pension cause they are ill or they are dead.

It’s unable to let the people come up for a crisis while it’s not there fault. I totally agree the comment of ''Kos'' If they want to solve problems with pension funds they can better remove the CEO’s and other advisors the funds which earn millions while they were gambling and lost a lot of they’re money. Why are the good working people the first who have to pay for this? That is not normal, and not accepted by all people over the world.

By Gerben Visser | July 1, 2009 3:04 PM