The number of full-disability pension applications received by Varma decreased by 5 per cent in the first five months of 2021.

Noting that partial disability pension applications had also decreased compared to the same period last year, Varma said it had received around 5,400 applications for full disability pensions. The Finnish provider also said that the rejection rate for disability applications was on the rise, having increased from 31 per cent in 2020 to 39 per cent by the end of May 2021. It stated that this was due to a higher proportion of applications based on mental health issues, where assessment was largely based on the applicant’s own description of their wellbeing which thus made it difficult for their situation to be examined with complete objectivity.

The number of Sampension members receiving senior counselling increased by approximately 37 per cent between 2017 and 2020.

PensionsKassen said this showed that more members approaching retirement were preparing their finances for the end of their working lives, although it stated that many more needed to plan their retirement with senior counselling well in advance. It added that the Sampension community would fuel the increase in members seeking advice by focusing more on offering senior counselling to members with around 10 years until retirement age.

PKA has launched a housing association at one of its properties in Copenhagen in order to help young residents avoid loneliness.

The Danish pension company is collaborating with project developer FB Gruppen to launch the Spir housing association for individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have not yet started families. The company said it hoped that the concept, which is based on communities established in the 1970s, would help young people to meet new acquaintances, noting that analysis released in November 2020 had highlighted young people as being the age group most likely to feel lonely.

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