Working past 60 while staying healthy: grant awarded for Leiden research
Many people work less after turning 60 which is not helping the economy. Egbert Jongen, Professor of Economics, will explore with his team how employers and policymakers can help older employees stay healthy and keep working, even after the statutory retirement age.
Older employees are indispensable
The Netherlands has an aging population coupled with a shortage of workers. Older people could make a valuable contribution to the labour market and the economy if they decided to keep working for longer. Yet, many people decide to reduce their hours after turning 60, and once they reach the statutory retirement age they often stop altogether. Jongen: ‘The drop in the number of older people in the workplace is partly due to employee preferences. But employers also play a role – they seem less willing to invest in older workers and to keep them in employment. Our research focusses on the role of employers.'
A team of researchers from Leiden will analyse data and differences in company policies to explore how employers can keep older workers in the workforce. 'Our research shows the challenges employers face and identifies policies that can help older workers stay productive and healthy for longer. In this way, we hope to prevent older workers from being written off too soon.’
Netspar Theme Grant
Jongen has received a Netspar Theme Grant for his research. This grant from Netspar and Instituut Gak supports innovative academic research on all aspects of pensions, aging and retirement. The economist has been awarded the maximum grant of €350,000. He will start the research project in January 2026 and work together with colleague Jim Been, Associate Professor in Economics. A postdoc will also be appointed for the project.
Been and Jongen will conduct the research in collaboration with a group of scholars from Melbourne University and Queensland University (Australian universities) and the German University of Mannheim. The other partners involved in the project are CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, various ministries, pension administrators, and employers’ organisations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland.