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Until what age would you be willing to work before you retire?

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A member of the Swiss Abroad editorial team, I mainly write about Switzerland's most peculiar features and stories. After completing my master's degree in Asian Studies in Geneva (with a detour at Tokyo University and Kyoto University), I worked on the newsdesk at RSI, occasionally collaborating with Presence Switzerland during the Expo in South Korea and Milan. I have been working for SWI swissinfo.ch since 2016.

On September 25, Swiss voters said “yes” to a pension reform that raises the retirement age for women from 64 to 65, the same as for men.

In response to an ageing population, some call for a gradual raising of the retirement age and see it as inevitable to keep the pension system alive. But how far should the retirement age be raised?

Until what age would you be willing to work before you retire, and for what reasons?

Join the discussion! 

From the article Swiss pension reforms continue unabated

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Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!
Arbeit
Arbeit
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I would work until 55. After 55, it should be left to people to decide whether they still want to work or not. As long as my health allows, I would then enjoy life without having to have a lot of money.

Ich würde bis 55 arbeiten. Ab 55 sollte man den Menschen überlassen, ob sie noch arbeiten wollen oder nicht. Solange die Gesundheit zulässt, würde ich dann das Leben geniessen, ohne dass ich viel Geld haben muss.

Part_of_it_12
Part_of_it_12
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I would work until I'm 70. Firstly, I'm not financially strapped and, as a non-Swiss national who has completed too short a contribution period in Switzerland, I can improve my overall pension entitlements.
Secondly, I don't see my work as "stealing" my free time, but as meaningful and I could imagine doing it into old age, provided my mental faculties don't fail me.
And I appreciate the variety between free, available time and working hours. Of course, this is my very personal perspective, but I think that people who have been able to pursue creative and intellectual gainful employment and who see their work as fulfilling may not feel "exhausted" after a working life, as is probably the case for the majority of physically challenging and monotonous jobs.
However, I still have the freedom to decide from year to year how long I want to continue working in paid employment. I'm one year away from my regular retirement age, feel in top shape and am looking forward to the time that I can then organise as I see fit.

Ich würde bis 70 arbeiten. Einerseits bin ich finanziell nicht auf Rosen gebettet und kann damit als Nicht-Schweizerin, die eine zu geringe Beitragszeit in der Schweiz absolviert hat, meine Rentenansprüche insgesamt verbessern.
Zweitens sehe ich meine Arbeit nicht als "Diebstahl" von Freizeit, sondern als sinnerfüllend an und könnte mir vorstellen, diese auch bis ins hohe Alter auszuüben, sofern die geistigen Fähigkeiten mich nicht verlassen.
Und ich schätze die Abwechslung zwischen freier, verfügbarer Zeit und Arbeitszeit. Natürlich ist das meine sehr persönliche Perspektive, aber ich denke, Menschen, die kreativ und geistiger Erwerbsarbeit nachgehen konnten und die ihre Arbeit als Erfüllung betrachten, fühlen sich möglicherweise nach einem Arbeitsleben nicht "ausgelaugt", wie das bei körperlich herausfordernden und monotonen Tätigkeiten wohl mehrheitlich der Fall ist.
Die Freiheit bleibt mir ja dennoch erhalten, von Jahr zu Jahr neu zu entscheiden, wie lange ich noch einer bezahlten Arbeit nachgehen möchte. Ich stehe ein Jahr vor meinem regulären Pensionsalter, fühle mich topfit und freue mich auf die Zeit, die ich dann so gestalten kann, wie ich es für mich für stimmig halte.

Da Niel
Da Niel
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I to 60ig years

General:

- Who studies and physically does not work hard should work until 70ig.

- Those who work physically hard should be allowed to retire at 58.

Ich bis 60ig Jahre

Allgemein:

- Wer Studiert und körperlich nicht schwer arbeitet sollte bis 70ig arbeiten.

- Wer körperlich schwer arbeitet sollte mit 58ig in Pansion dürfen.

Girferrox
Girferrox
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

If health permits, I would only reduce the workload without quitting.

Se la salute lo permette, ridurrei solo il carico di lavoro senza smettere.

F-Hirzel
F-Hirzel
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

I would love to be able to stop before 65 (I'm 61) and enjoy my golden years. But I don't think I can meet my expenses if I don't have my full pension. I would like to be able to stay in Switzerland and not go abroad like so many others do.
But when I see that my neighbor was forced to sell his house by his bank when he retired... I fear the worst. At worst, I'll have the life annuity haha:):) I read the practical guide http://www.vendre-en-viager.ch and it looks like it could be a good solution. There was a report on TJ last week.
But as far as age goes, I personally voted against it, obviously. I understand the issue and respect the choice, but frankly, I'm worn out and would retire tomorrow! I've worked a lot and would like to enjoy

J'aimerais beaucoup pouvoir arrêter avant 65 ans (j'en ai 61) et profiter de mes belles années. Mais je ne pense pas pouvoir faire face à mes charges si je ne dispose pas de ma retraite complète. J'aimerais pouvoir rester en Suisse et ne pas partir à l'étranger comme tant d'autres font.
Mais quand je vois que mon voisin a été forcé de vendre sa maison par sa banque au moment où il est parti à la retraite... je crains le pire. Au pire, il me restera le viager haha:):) Je lis le guide pratique http://www.vendre-en-viager.ch et cela donne l'impression que ça peut être une bonne solution. Il y avait un reportage au TJ la semaine dernière.
Mais en ce qui concerne l'âge, j'ai personnellement voté contre, évidemment. Je comprends la problématique et respecte le choix, mais franchement, je suis usée et partirais bien en retraite demain!! J'ai beaucoup travaillé j'aimerais profiter

Roberto Tomasi
Roberto Tomasi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

those who have the contributory method retirement claculum, should retire at the age they want, because they simply receive back what they have paid in, as long as the calculation produces enough net income to live on without needing to rclaim state aid i as they are considered "poor."

chi ha il clacolo della pensione con il metodo contributivo, dovrebbe andare in pensione all'età che vuole, perché riceve semplicemente indietro quello che ha versato, basta che il calcolo produca un reddito netto sufficiente per vivere senza bisogno di rhchiedere aiuti statali i quanto considerato "povero".

Markus Miesch
Markus Miesch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

The "pension-refom" is a hot topic in Switzerland as everywhere in €Uropa. The FRG, where I lived & worked from 1980 on, spends today, according to official statistics, about 30% of its income from the GDP for social welfare. I am not aware of that for Switzerland, for example. The demography & the high life expectancy was at the time of the introduction by Bismarck in Germany a completely different. By the technical progress we live in the majority longer & healthier, the consequence of it is the problem for the pension. Who should work this out, if technology & automats need less and less people, who generate income & pay taxes? The World Economic Forum in Davos deals with this topic among others. Thereby also the ever greater wealth of fewer is to be discussed. It is foreseeable that this topic is treated with "pointed fingers", because the mantra of the eternal growth, several planets like our earth would need. Our spaceship earth, which lets us survive in a cold & dark universe, is so far the only thing we have. Another planet, in a habitable zone & light years distant, with liquid water, is not found yet.

Die "Renten-Refom ist in der Schweiz wie ueberall in €Uropa ein heisses Thema. Die BRD, in der ich von 1980 an gelebt & gearbeitet habe, gibt heut laut offizieller Statistik, ca. 30 % seiner Einnahmen aus dem BIP fuer Soziales aus. Das ist mir z. B. fuer die Schweiz nicht bekannt. Die Demographie & die hohe Lebenserwartung war zur Zeit der Einfuehrung durch Bismarck in Deutschland eine ganz Andere. Durch den technischen Fortschritt leben wir in der Mehrheit laenger & gesuender, die Folge davon ist ist das Problem fuer die Rente. Wer soll das erarbeiten, wenn Technologie & Automaten immer weniger Menschen benoetigen, die Einkommen erwirtschaften & Steuern zahlen? Das Welt-Wirtschafts-Forum in Davos behandelt dieses Thema unter Anderem. Dabei soll auch der immer groessere Reichtum weniger zur Sprache kommen. Es ist abzusehen, dass dieses Thema mit "spitzen Fingern" behandelt wird, weil das Mantra des ewigen Wachstums, mehrere Planten wie unsere Erde brauchen wuerde. Unser Raumschiff Erde, das uns in einem kalten & dunklen Universum ueberleben laesst, ist bis jetzt das Einzige was wir haben. Ein anderer Planet, in einer habitablen Zone & Lichtjahre entfernten, mit fluessigem Wasser, ist noch nicht gefunden.

Luigi Lamelza
Luigi Lamelza
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Hello, over here in Italy after the latest reform we retire at 71 years of age, so dear Helvetic neighbors don't complain.

Salve, da noi in Italia dopo l'ultima riforma si và in pensione a regime a 71 anni, quindi cari confinanti Elvetici non vi lamentate.

IamWhoIam
IamWhoIam
The following contribution has been automatically translated from RU.

If we introduce unconditional income + significantly fewer working hours per week + a VERY SIGNIFICANT tax increase for the rich + a lower retirement age (PROVIDING that those who want to continue working can continue working) = things would be very different.
However, this would mean a complete change in humanity's patterns of consciousness in the social order.

Если ввести безусловный доход + значительно меньше рабочих часов в неделю + ОЧЕНЬ ЗНАЧИТЕЛЬНО повысить налоги богачам + снизить пенсионный возраст (ПРИ УСЛОВИИ возможности продолжения работы тем, кто хочет продолжать) = было бы всё совсем по-другому.
Однако, это означает полное изменение шаблонов сознания человечества в общественном устройстве.

Элякеляйнен
Элякеляйнен
The following contribution has been automatically translated from RU.

Hello, retirement in Russia is purely a procedure by documents and the pension itself is fake. For example, I have 59 years of service (75 years) in ruble terms, at the moment it is 20,000 rubles in CHF terms, this is 295 francs. Perhaps the officials have its size is greater.
So I'm 75 years old and I still work remotely.
You European and other rich countries will never understand us. As Dumas said, "If force is against you, you must obey it lest you perish.
We submit to it out of necessity. Do you think a weak old woman wants to stand up to rude men in helmets and with truncheons?

Здравствуйте,Выход на пенсию в России это чисто процедура по документам и сама пенсия фейковая. Например у меня при 59 стаже (75 лет) в рублевом исчислении на данный момент она составляет 20 тысяч рублей в пересчете на CHF это 295 франков. Возможно у чиновников ее размер больше.
Итак мне 75 лет и я работаю до сих пор,удаленно.
Вы европейские и другие обеспеченные страны никогда не поймете нас. Как говорил Дюма"если против вас сила, то вы ей подчинитесь,чтобы не погибнуть".
Подчиняемся по необходимости. Вы думаете слабая пожилая женщина захочет противостоять невоспитанным мужланам в касках и с дубинками наперевес???

Anne Maquet
Anne Maquet
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

I love my job and I can't imagine not being active; I will do it whatever my age, as far as possible; I am happy to see that other people can imagine it too!
I would like the state to support us by lowering our charges from the age of 70, or even to abolish them, for example, because we do not receive our pension.

J'aime beaucoup mon travail et je ne peux pas concevoir de ne pas être en activité; Je l'exercerai quelque soit l'âge, aussi loin que possible; Je suis heureuse de voir que d'autres personnes arrivent à le concevoir également!
J'aimerais que l'état nous soutienne en baissant nos charges à partir de 70 ans, , voire les supprime par exemple, car nous ne touchons pas notre retraite .

mondi67@yahoo.co.uk
mondi67@yahoo.co.uk

Working longer to 65 is reasonable. In the UK the retirement age in 2027 will be increased to 67 so thank your lucky stars your in Switzerland. Furthermore their is no more enforced retirement since 2011 from the employers in the UK. You can happily work until you drop😂
Lifespan is not the only determination factor. Health span is also now being factored in. It's highly unlikely that you will be fit enough to work on the building site at 65.

Dan-Molnar
Dan-Molnar
The following contribution has been automatically translated from RU.

I work in the IT field. I will work for the rest of my life if my intelligence and memory are not impaired. And if they are impaired, I will look for a less skilled job and work fewer hours a week. Still, I hope to work until I die. Even if I have savings that will allow me not to work. I can't imagine myself as an unemployed retiree. I'm afraid that if I do, I might quickly degenerate as a person.

Я работаю в сфере IT. Я буду работать до конца жизни, если мой интеллект и память не будут нарушены. А если они будут нарушены, то я буду искать менее квалифицированную работу и работать меньше часов в неделю. Но всё равно я надеюсь работать до самой смерти. Даже если я буду иметь сбережения, которые позволят мне не работать. Я не могу представить себя безработным пенсионером. Я боюсь, что в таком случае я могу быстро деградировать как личность.

Tiziana Forte
Tiziana Forte
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Dan-Molnar

I agree, work ennobles man, and if you are in good health, I stress, retiring is really, as I think of it, a life change that could lead to depression by no longer feeling an active part in society.

Sono d'accordo, il lavoro nobilita l'uomo e se si è in buona salute, sottolineo, andare in pensione è veramente, per come la penso io, una cambiamento di vita che potrebbe portare alla depressione non sentendosi più parte attiva nella società.

francis.crowther1965@gmail.com
francis.crowther1965@gmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Dan-Molnar

I agree, the important thing is to have the environment that suits the person who is over 70 and not vice versa. This is because the physique anyway wears out, deteriorates with aging.

Condivido, l'importante è avere l'ambiente che si adatta alla persona che supera i 70 anni e non viceversa. Questo perché il fisico comunque si consuma, si deteriora con l'invecchiamento.

IamWhoIam
IamWhoIam
The following contribution has been automatically translated from RU.
@Dan-Molnar

Why not? BUT! The retirement age MUST be no later than 60. And then those who WANT to work should have the right and opportunity to continue to work! And NOT forced!

Почему бы и нет? НО! Пенсионный возраст ДОЛЖЕН быть не позднее 60 лет. А потом те, кто ХОЧЕТ, должны иметь право и возможность работать и далее! А НЕ принудительно!

Frodo
Frodo
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

The question should be passed on to the employers and "gods in white"; up to what age should a person be able to work until he becomes disabled or dies?

Die Frage müsste man weiter leiten an die Arbeitgeber und "Götter in Weiss"; bis zu welchem Alter sollte ein Mensch arbeiten können bis er invalid wird oder stirbt?

GianLuca
GianLuca
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

It depends on the type of work you do. For example, if one has an occupation in the construction field (carpenter, mason, etc...) retiring before the age of 65 could preserve me from work-related injuries. Whereas if I carry out a sedentary occupation, I could imagine working past the age of 65. As for me beyond age I would focus on the size of the pension so that I can then lead a decent life.

Dipende dalla tipologia di lavoro che si svolge. Ad esempio se si un occupazione in campo edilizio (carpentiere, muratore ecc...) andare in pensione prima dei 65 anni potrebbe preservarmi da eventuali infortuni sul lavoro. Mentre se svolgo un’occupazione sedentaria, potrei immaginare di lavorare oltre i 65 anni. Per quanto mi riguarda al di là dell’età io mi focalizzerei sull’entità della pensione per poter condurre poi una vita dignitosa.

Tiziana Forte
Tiziana Forte
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@GianLuca

Yes I agree if the retired salary is much lower, the quality of life would suffer!

Si sono d'accordo se lo stipendio da pensionati è molto più basso, la qualità della vita ne risentirebbe!

Элякеляйнен
Элякеляйнен
The following contribution has been automatically translated from RU.
@GianLuca

Sedentary or mental? You can be sedentary as a janitor, security guard, but you can be an accountant, a lawyer, a teacher, etc. By the way, to keep working is in my opinion to push back the onset of dementia. That's helpful.

Сидячая или умственная? Можно сидячую понять как вахтер,охранник, но можно быть бухгалтером,юристом,преподавателем и т.д. Кстати продолжать работать это по-моему отодвинуть приход деменции. Это полезно.

Amadeus
Amadeus
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I worked as a Swiss expatriate in Austria until the age of 57. I lost my job and despite my studies and work experience I could not find a job. It is contradictory to have to work as an employee until 65 or more years if you are too expensive and too old for the economy. I got so into a poverty trap and unemployed career. I say thank you to the system. And: not every woman has a partner in life .... who catches you.

Ich habe als Auslandsschweizerin in Österreich bis zum 57 Lebensjahr gearbeitet. Habe den Job verloren und trotz Studium und Berufserfahrung keine Anstellung mehr gefunden. Es ist widersprüchlich bis 65 oder mehr Jahre als Angestellte arbeiten zu müssen wenn du für die Wirtschaft zu teuer und zu alt bist. Ich bin so in eine Armutsfalle und Arbeitslosen Laufbahn geraten. Ich sage danke dem System. Und: nicht jede Frau hat einen Partner im Leben .... der dich auffängt

Bruno Boccaletti
Bruno Boccaletti
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Amadeus

In recent years I have often come across the case of friends who at 57-58 years old lose their jobs and then-despite solid skills-don't receive job offers. In most cases they have situations that allow them to "get by," but some struggle more than others. By now, the job market tends to exclude you after a certain age, as Beatrice's contribution shows well

Negli ultimi anni mi sono imbattuto spesso nel caso di amici che a 57-58 anni perdono il lavoro e poi - nonostante le competenze solide - non ricevono offerte di lavoro. Nella maggioranza dei casi hanno situazioni che permettono loro di “tirare avanti”, ma alcuni fanno più fatica di altri. Ormai il mercato del lavoro tende ad escluderti dopo una certa età, come dimostra bene il contributo di Beatrice

Trix Richter
Trix Richter
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I became unemployed at 57 and could not find a new job. Fortunately, my husband earns well. At 62, I officially became a pensioner here in Israel (meanwhile, the age is also being raised here, to 64).I enjoy every minute. Fortunately Israel has one of the best pension plans in the world, 4th place, Switzerland only 11th).

Ich wurde mit 57 arbeitslos und fand keine neue Stelle. Zum glück verdient mein mann gut. Mit 62 wurde ich hier in Israel offiziell pensionärin (unterdessen wird auch hier das alter erhöht, auf 64).ich geniesse jede Minute. Zum Glück hat Israel eines der besten altersvorsorgepläne der welt, 4.platz,Schweiz kommt nur auf den 11.)

Kathi
Kathi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Trix Richter

Hello Trix, you describe one side of the coin. From the isr. AHV one cannot live, (2100.- ILS = approx. 600.- SFR) the obligatory pension fund was introduced only approx. 12 years ago, i.e. it has many old humans, who do not have a pension. In addition, not all of them work in well-paid professions and therefore receive a small pension contribution. I have earned as a nurse a quarter of the Swiss wage with known very high cost of living.

Hallo Trix, du beschreibst die eine Seite der Medaille. Von der isr. AHV kann man nicht leben, ( 2100.- ILS = ca 600.- SFR ) die obligatorische Pensionskasse wurde erst vor ca 12 Jahren eingefuehrt, d. h . es hat viele Alte Menschen, die keine Pensionsrente haben. Dazu kommt noch, dass nicht alle in gutbezahlten Berufen arbei(te)ten und somit auch einen kleinen Rentenbeitrag erhalten. Ich habe als Plegefachfrau einen Viertel verdient vom schweizer Lohn bei bekannterweise sehr hohen Lebenskosten.

Küre
Küre
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I worked until I was 68 and enjoyed doing the work.

Ich habe bis zu meinem 68. Alter gearbeitet und habe gerne die Arbeit gemacht.

DeniseViola
DeniseViola
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I consider it a fundamental right to be able to make my own decisions, to determine my own purpose in life. As long as I am fit, I would like to pursue my profession, if it's 93, great!!! However, not everyone is lucky in the work that determines income. Unhealthy atmosphere and/or physical wear and tear can make working life hell (the longer, the worse). Therefore, everyone should be allowed to decide for themselves, for example, from 60, whether and how long in what stint further....

Eigenständig entscheiden zu dürfen, mein Lebensinhalt selber zu bestimmen, betrachte ich als ein Grundrecht. Solange ich fit bin, möchte ich meinem Beruf nachgehen, wenn's 93 ist, toll!! Jedoch hat nicht jede(r) an der Arbeit, welche das Einkommen bestimmt, Glück. Ungesunde Atmosphäre und/körperlicher Verschleiss können das Berufsleben zur Hölle machen (je länger, desto schlimmer). Daher sollte jeder selber entscheiden dürfen, z.B. ab 60, ob und wie lange in welchem Pensum weiter....

Anonymous
Anonymous

Nothing else to talk about??? Boring!

Amadeus
Amadeus
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Anonymous

Such a message is not cooperative. Too bad

Eine solche Meldung ist nicht kooperativ. Schade

Kathi
Kathi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Anonymous

Why did you log into the discussion board?

Warum hast du dich in die Diskussionsrunde eingeloggt?

Элякеляйнен
Элякеляйнен
The following contribution has been automatically translated from RU.
@Anonymous

Three answers, either you are young, or very rich, or stupid, and you have no sense of empathy at all. Or both.

Три варианта ответа,либо Вы молоды,либо очень богаты,либо глупы и у Вас нет чувства эмпатии совсем. Либо все вместе.

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Kathi

Why not? Always the same topics for days on end...boring.

Warum nicht? Tagelang immer die selben Themen...Langweilig.

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Элякеляйнен

And you apparently can't even count to 3...Three answers...or both???

Und Sie koennen anscheind noch nicht einmal bis 3 zaehlen...Drei Antworten...oder beides???

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR