People who want to retire at 65 could still be allowed to do so, but should get less money, lay members of the government’s SER advisory body have suggested, according to news agency ANP.

SER, which also includes union and employer representatives, has been given until the end of the month to come up with an alternative to the government’s plan to increase the pension age from 65 to 67 for everyone.
Ministers say the increase is necessary to cut the budget deficit, but the unions in particular are opposed to the plan. MPs are also concerned about the effect of the increase on people doing physically tough jobs.
The SER lay members’ plan has not yet been discussed by the other SER partners, ANP says. The plan would also include an increase in the corporate pension age from 65 to 67, as demanded by employers. The new variable pension age would be phased in from 2011.
Ministers have said they will press ahead with their original plan if SER fails to come up with an acceptable alternative.