More employees are working beyond state pension age
In the second quarter of 2026, 1.7 per cent of employees were older than the state pension age.
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More and more people in the Netherlands continue working after reaching state pension age. According to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), this accounted for 1.7 per cent of all employees in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 1.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2018.
The share of employees above state pension age has risen by half a percentage point in eight years. CBS based the figures on labour market statistics for the second quarter of 2026. They concern people working as employees; the self-employed are excluded from this specific comparison.
The differences between sectors are substantial. In the letting and trading of real estate, 4.3 per cent of employees were older than state pension age. In transport and storage, the figure was 3.6 per cent. Public administration and government services had the lowest share, at 0.6 per cent.
There is also a difference between men and women. Of male employees, 2.3 per cent were older than state pension age, compared with 1.1 per cent of female employees. The figures do not say why people continue working and do not distinguish between full-time and part-time work.
According to reporting by NOS, researchers cite enjoyment of work, social contacts and a sense of being useful, alongside income, as possible reasons. Those explanations come from earlier research and are not a new CBS measurement relating to these figures.
The trend is taking place against the backdrop of an ageing population and a tight labour market. Continuing to work after state pension age can provide employers with additional staff, but the group is small and unevenly distributed across sectors. The figures also do not show whether people continue working voluntarily or feel financially compelled to do so.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The share of employees older than state pension age was 1.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2026.
- The share is higher in real estate and transport than in government.
- According to the figures, men are more likely than women to continue working after state pension age.
Left
Arguments The increase shows that a pension does not provide sufficient security for everyone and that employers must not make older employees dependent on vulnerable or temporary contracts.
Values Income security, equal treatment and protection from exploitation.
Consequences Greater attention to pension levels, employment conditions and the freedom to choose whether to continue working.
Centre
Arguments Working beyond state pension age can be both a personal choice and a response to staff shortages. Policy should allow for both situations.
Values Freedom of choice, practicality and a balanced labour market.
Consequences Targeted rules for employers and better data on hours, contracts and motives are more important than general incentives.
Right
Arguments People who are healthy and want to continue working should be able to do so without unnecessary rules. Older employees’ experience can strengthen businesses and public services.
Values Personal responsibility, labour-market participation and less regulation.
Consequences Broader opportunities to work beyond state pension age and less automatic termination of employment contracts.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The key figures and sector comparisons can be found directly in the recent CBS publication and are independently reported by NOS. Explanations for continuing to work are presented as background, not as a new CBS conclusion.
- confirmed In the second quarter of 2026, 1.7 per cent of employees were older than state pension age. — CBS publishes this percentage for the second quarter of 2026. source
- confirmed In the first quarter of 2018, 1.2 per cent of employees continued working after state pension age. — This comparative figure appears in NOS’s presentation of the CBS figures. source
- confirmed In real estate and property, the share was 4.3 per cent. — NOS gives this sector percentage based on CBS data. source
- confirmed In public administration and government services, the share was 0.6 per cent. — NOS identifies this as the lowest sector percentage. source
Editor's note
The CBS percentage for the second quarter of 2026 and the differences between sectors and genders are certain. The reasons for continuing to work come from earlier research; these figures do not establish whether working is voluntary, nor do they clarify income or the division of working hours.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „aow pensioen”
- NOS — „aow pensioen”
- Het Parool — „aow pensioen”