Flexible retirement pathways - An analysis of policies in 28 European countries

This report, prepared by the European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAN), explores flexible retirement pathways in the 27 EU countries and Norway. Drawing on country reports, it examines the main flexible retirement instruments (deferred retirement, differentiated pensionable ages, flexible pensionable ages and options to combine pension with work) and their implementation in the countries covered including recent reforms. It also assesses the possible impact of these instruments on labour market dynamics, redistribution, fiscal sustainability and quality of life. 

The report concludes with several policy recommendations, including: enhance the design and financial incentives to deferred retirement and to combining pension with work; better tailor access to differentiated pensionable ages for workers with long careers and/or in physically demanding jobs; improve the availability of digital and non-digital information sources on flexible retirement options and planning; and further integrate flexible retirement pathways with labour market policies.

Country reports