According to statistics of the Finnish Centre for Pensions, the effective retirement age rose significantly in 2014. On average, the Finns retired on an earnings-related pension at age 61.2 years. The equivalent figure in 2013 was 60.9 years.

Workers who report a change in their expected retirement age in 2014 most often cite the poor economy (25 percent), according to a new report from the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute.

We use unique Dutch survey data to analyze the general public’s opinions on what are demanding occupations, to what extent it is justified that someone with a demanding occupation can retire earlier, and on the willingness to contribute to the earlier retirement schemes of such occupations.