The Netherlands’ largest trade union has called for the retirement age to be made more flexible to reflect different types of labour.

The age at which workers become eligible for their pension is rising gradually to 67 years and 3 months by 2022, after which it will be tied to life expectancy. Forecasts by the government statistics service CBS predict that people in 2060 will not retire until halfway through their 72nd year.

The FNV says later retirement ages will discriminate against people in physically demanding jobs. ‘It’s a growing problem for people who do heavy work, earn little and have shorter lives on average,’ chairman Han Busker told NOS.

The union says the pension rules should be changed to allow people to retire four years earlier or later than the statutory age. Those who choose to retire earlier would receive a lower income, but enough to live on. The FNV says the measure would cost the government money but improve the quality of life of low-paid workers in their later years.