More people are working past retirement age
An increasing number of individuals in the Netherlands are continuing to work past the legal retirement age, particularly within the real estate and transportation sectors. Statistics show that men are more likely to stay employed after retirement than women, with many retirees choosing to switch industries when starting new roles.
The number of individuals continuing to work past the legal retirement age in the Netherlands has seen a steady increase since early 2018. Data indicates that men are significantly more likely to remain employed after retirement compared to women, with 2.3 percent of men and 1.1 percent of women working beyond the pension age in the second quarter of 2026. This trend persists despite the gradual increase in the statutory retirement age to 67, which began in 2013.
Sector participation varies greatly, with higher rates of post-retirement employment found in real estate and transportation, while public administration and IT sectors show the lowest engagement. Additionally, over twenty thousand retirees started new roles in the second quarter of 2026, with half transitioning into different industries. While most retirees leave the workforce permanently, a small segment continues to seek employment or switch sectors, highlighting shifting labor market dynamics among the aging population.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
