Danish academics are increasingly choosing to work later in life, according to research from AkademikerPension, which found that the average retirement age had increased by two years over the past 12 years.

The research also showed that in 2018, members on average received their first pension payment when they were 66.09 years old, compared to 66.61 years old in 2020, although the state pension age was 66 in 2018 and 66.5 years in 2020.

AkademikerPension member manager, Vibeke Thinggaard Aagaard, suggested that the trend to work longer may be a result of academics identifying with their work, noting that there is also a political desire for more people to stay in the labour market for a longer time.

“At the same time, we hear from several members that they find it more confusing to have to go from being active in the labour market to life as a pensioner,” she added.

Thinggaard Aagaard also suggested that it makes sense for academics to work a few extra years, perhaps part-time as a partial pensioner, as many are healthy and have a long life expectancy.

“You can end up retiring as long as you are in the job market. Academics live longer than average. If you want to have enough for a long life, it is important that you have enough money, ” she said.

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