Today, we'll discuss some of the situations facing seniors around the world, as well as suitable part-time jobs.

01. Denmark Becomes the Country with the Latest Retirement Age in Europe

In May, the Danish Parliament, by a landslide majority of 81 to 21, passed a bill raising the retirement age to 70, effective 2040, for those born on or after January 1, 1971.

As of 2023, life expectancy in Denmark is 81.7 years.

Under the new law, the average Dane will receive a pension for 11.7 years, meaning they will receive a pension for 8% to 10% of their lifetime.

The increase in the retirement age is a result of Denmark's 2006 Welfare Agreement.

For a long time before 2006, some prominent Danish economists argued that Denmark needed comprehensive welfare reform. Experts at the time concluded that Denmark's fiscal policies were unsustainable in the long term and would lead to a deterioration of its public finances over the coming decades.

The key factor driving this problem was a dramatic shift in demographics. As the elderly population grows, the social support they require will also increase; at the same time, the working-age population will decrease.

According to the Welfare Agreement, Denmark's statutory retirement age is linked to life expectancy and adjusted every five years.

The current retirement age in Denmark is 67, and Parliament has previously decided to raise it to 68 in 2030 and 69 in 2035.

This time, it will be raised directly to 70, making Denmark the country with the highest retirement age in Europe.

Currently, the country with the highest statutory retirement age globally is Libya in Africa. There, the retirement age is also 70, but the average life expectancy is 73.

02. Retirement after 60 is the mainstream worldwide.

Globally, retirement at 60 or even 65 is the mainstream:

In the United States, the earliest retirement age is 62, but the minimum age for receiving full Social Security benefits is 67, and at least 35 years of contributions are required. Canada's normal retirement age is 65, with a full pension, but typically requires 40 years of contributions. Early retirement is 60, with a reduced pension. In the United Kingdom, the minimum age is 66, with 35 years of contributions required to receive a full pension, and there are plans to raise the age to 68.

Germany The retirement age in the United States is 65, with plans to raise it to 67. A full pension typically requires 45 years of contributions; early retirement is 63, with a reduced pension.

Sweden's retirement age is 63, France's is 64 (full pension is 67), Spain's is 66, and Italy's is 67 (adjusted for life expectancy, this age may increase further in 2026).

Japan, also in East Asia, has a retirement age of 65, with voluntary extensions.

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and other countries in the Americas also have retirement ages exceeding 60.

03. What do people over 60 do in the United States?

According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2024, 36% of Americans aged 65-69 will be actively participating in the labor market.

In 1994, this proportion was only 22%.

U.S. News & World Report published a column detailing a dozen major sectors where older people are most employed, using data primarily from the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. 1) K-12 Teachers: 10.3% of women aged 62 and older who are still working choose to teach, while the same percentage applies to approximately 3% of men.

2) College Teachers: 4.1% of men aged 62 and older and 1.4% of women teach at universities, vocational colleges, or community colleges, with a median annual salary of $76,000.

3) Administrative Assistants: These individuals work full-time or part-time in offices. Women, in particular, account for 5.9% of those employed as secretaries or assistants, 3.7% as receptionists and information processors, 2.3% as office clerks, and 1.9% as accountants.

4) Nursing: Nurses with a college degree are the most highly paid, earning approximately $70,000 per year.

5) Real Estate: This includes real estate agents, salespeople, and estate or community association administrators, with annual salaries ranging from $50,000 to $60,000.

6) Sales: 3% of those aged 62 and older work as salespeople, while 2% work as supervisors in retail stores, with a median income of approximately $23,370. Many also work as wholesalers or manufacturer sales agents; those selling technology products can earn even higher incomes.

7) Drivers: Examples include delivery drivers, truck drivers, taxi drivers (including ride-hailing drivers), and bus drivers. Bus drivers earn relatively high incomes, with a median annual salary of $33,010.

8) Clergy: Many men aged 62 and older (1.7%) serve as clergy, providing religious education, counseling, guidance, and services, with a median annual salary of $47,100.

9) Childcare: This is also a popular career path for older women seeking a second chance at work, with 3.4% choosing childcare and earning a median annual salary of $22,290.

10) Senior Management: 1.6% of those aged 62 and older are promoted to manager, and another 1.1% become CEOs, extending their career trajectory.

11) Management Consulting: These positions typically involve experienced professionals who help companies improve management, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

Other occupations include financial management/accounting/auditing, writing, engineering, music, and performing arts.

04. Plan for retirement in advance

Every moment is a variable in your future life. Instead of worrying about your retirement age, it's better to prepare early and face it calmly:

1)Live in the present moment

Recognize the reality that "the present is the only thing we can control." Excessive worry will only hinder action.

Plan well and alleviate anxiety with concrete actions: work hard to accumulate capital; pay attention to the people and things around you, and enjoy the happiness of the present moment.

2) Stay healthy

The prerequisite for a happy old age is to be alive and in relatively good health.

Exercise regularly, eat healthily, avoid bad habits, maintain a positive mood, and avoid wasting your hard-earned money on hospital bills. If you can do these things, you'll already be halfway to a successful retirement.

3) Manage your finances appropriately

If you're worried about not having enough money for retirement, plan your finances, avoid living paycheck to paycheck, and plan ahead.

Since aging is inevitable, try to leverage it to find suitable investment opportunities, increase your wealth, and strive to "protect" your old age. One of the industries that will benefit most from an aging population is the pharmaceutical sector.

Currently, the pharmaceutical industry is highly segmented and has a high barrier to entry. If you struggle to capitalize on individual stock opportunities, consider investing in a pharmaceutical-themed fund to capitalize on the long-term growth of the industry.