She could now spend days at home on the sofa. However, she makes little of it. Because she likes herself better in the driver’s seat on the bus. Like the bus driver in the well-known children’s song about the occupational group, the 72-year-old is mostly in a good mood. – I think it is very rewarding. And then I like to drive, says Åse Svendsen. Magne Hultgren (67) takes shifts as an on-call substitute. Like his colleague Åse Svendsen, he enjoys being behind the big steering wheel on the bus. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news Until he was 60, he was a truck driver. After that there was little to do, so she signed up to work as a bus driver. Since then she has carried passengers from A to B. – I think it was sad to turn 70, because then you lose the regular rotation. But now I think it’s really great. Now I can decide for myself exactly when I want to drive, she says. Elderbølgja is here Nav is impressed. They encourage others to do as Åse Svendsen did. New figures show that pension expenses are increasing with each passing year. A long-announced elderly wave is here. – It is important that those who wish to be allowed to work longer. It helps to generate income for society, says Nav director in Vestfold and Telemark, Anders Anundsen. Anders Anundsen, Nav director in Vestfold and Telemark. Photo: Sindre Thoresen Lønnes / news He believes and it gives joy in life and quality of life for those who work longer. This week, the latest pension figures were presented. Last year, expenditure related to old-age pensions in Norway was almost NOK 267 billion. This is an increase of 6 percent. – There will be more pensioners. There will also be a higher payment to some of the pensioners because they have a higher income, says Anundsen. Normal retirement age in Norway starts at 67. It is possible to take out an old-age pension from the age of 62, and combine it with continuing professional activity. Some working groups such as the police and the Norwegian Armed Forces are obliged to retire from work earlier. In the State, the upper age limit is 70 years. How long do you want to work? I won’t work a day longer than I have to! Work is life. I intend to stay there until I drop. Show result – Too much effort The trade union has nothing against older people working longer if they want to, but believes that working life is not equipped for it. – Many are so healthy that they want to work longer. But in some professions there is too much stress and hard work, says Marianne Nilsen Skjønstad, county manager of the Trade Union. Marianne Nilsen Skjønstad is county manager of the Trade Union in Vestfold and Telemark. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news Skjønstad believes that working life must be facilitated more so that older people can work longer. – There is too much of a stopwatch mentality, she says, referring in particular to work in kindergartens, health and welfare professions. She believes a solution is more hands and heads to distribute the tasks on. – We must have better basic staffing, so that people do not neglect their health. Then we can start talking about staying longer in working life, says Skjønstad. Consequences What happens if all the elderly stop working when they are 67? Society receives greater pension expenses. But it balances out over time, because those who take out a pension early receive a lower pension for the rest of their lives, says aging researcher Per Erik Solem. Many people who take out a pension after the age of 62 take out both a pension and continue to work part-time. – These still make a work effort and contribute to production in society, he says. More people will work longer The Ministry of Labor and Inclusion reports that they aim to submit a report to the Storting in the autumn, which will follow up the Pensions Committee’s report. It is an important goal of the reform to make it easier for more people to work longer, says the Minister for Employment and Inclusion. – The biggest challenge is to get those aged between 60 and 70 to delay retirement, says Marte Mjøs Persen. Marte Mjøs Persen, Minister for Employment and Inclusion (Ap). Photo: Ministry of Employment and Inclusion She believes she will strengthen the state’s coffers. – If many choose to quit early, it will weaken our ability to finance the welfare schemes, she says. Will work as long as they can Magne Hultgren is 67 years old and has retired. But he has no immediate plans to take time off. The 67-year-old enjoys being with people. He drives school buses, tours and regular buses. In addition, he takes shifts as a pastor. – It is pleasant to meet colleagues and passengers. I think it is very meaningful to be able to have a weekday where I can work, says Hultgren. The 67-year-old believes that older workers have a lot of expertise and experience that society can benefit from. – It is a good and correct idea to encourage pensioners to work a little, if they have the opportunity to do so. Bus driver Åse Svendsen keeps her eyes on the road and her hands on the wheel as long as she can. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news Åse Svendsen is also not ready to hand over the keys to the bus quite yet. – I have two years left before I am allowed to drive. I think that is very good. It is health that decides, of course.
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Åse (72) drives a regular bus and doesn’t stop until she has to – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
