Partial Pension Scheme Insights from the Swedish Partial Pensions Scheme

Abstract

ABSTRACTAmong the changes occurring in patterns of working time there is evidence of a growing interest in ‘phased’ or ‘partial’ retirement, which seeks to ease the transition between work and retirement.Though a small number of companies in other countries have introduced this option, Sweden is unique in operating partial retirement on a national scale. The development of the Swedish partial pension scheme, since its introduction in 1976, is examined and reactions of older workers and employers reviewed.The final section draws a number of conclusions from the Swedish experience and considers some of the obstacles to the more widespread development of partial retirement.