‘Way to stay active’

• Nina Bogosavac

  Editor Economy

• Billie Slagboom

  Editor Economy

He said he could have been lying in the garden with a book. Instead, Jos Schrauwen (69) takes care of heavily mentally handicapped for more than 40 years a few days a week. Schrauwen does not do that because it has to be, but because he wants it. Despite a pension and AOW.

Schrauwen is not the only one in this: according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, a quarter of a million of the workers is a state pensioner: someone who is entitled to the automatic retirement provision of the government from the state pension age.

The trend that people continue to work more often after the state pension age can be seen in employment contracts, according to a tour of the Autovantra. Five years ago this was still in 21 percent of the collective agreements that took off the FNV trade union. Now, in about 33 percent of the cases it is discussed.

In those collective agreements there are often no specific conditions for working, but the possibility is left open to conclude a new contract. It is therefore not a right to continue working. It says, for example, that it is possible, if employee and employer come to an agreement together.

“Working on taboo on is gone,” sees a spokesperson for the Union. “We find: if people want this, they must know themselves. But people must also learn that the quality of life is not just about work. “

Pleasure in work, be boredom, feeling useful: they are all motivations for people to continue working, shows Recent research from Demographic Institute Nidi. And to a lesser extent earning money, although that is very important for 10 percent of people.

Healthcare worker Schrauwen should not think of stopping. “You build such a sturdy band with the clients, I just didn’t want to say that. There was also a lot of social contact when I retired.”

In his industry, the care for the disabled, this year it was included in the CAO for the first time that people who continue working also fall under the collective labor agreement after the state pension age. In practice, AOW people have been working for some time. “And it works great,” says Schrauwen. “The big difference is that it must is off. I now consciously choose to walk here. “

The main reason for employers to keep people are the staff shortages. Employers say that they are happy with all the hands they can get or retain. For example, employers in the technology industry ask regularly whether employees can work longer.

People who have been working for a company for years also have a great thing for employers: knowledge and experience. “And let them go, that will be lost,” said employers’ organization AWVN. “Moreover, people stay vital for much longer. Not only office people stay, for example, bus drivers.”

There is also criticism of development. For example, the CNV trade union is not in favor of it because this would create unfair competition with people under the state pension age. “The unemployed aged 55-67 are so difficult to work.”

According to the UWV benefit organization, there is a relatively low unemployment in this age category.

For employers there are really only advantages to hiring an AOW employee, knows labor market expert Rob Witjes of the UWV. Employers no longer have to pay premiums for social insurance or a severance payment.

“It is one of the buttons that employers can turn,” says Witjes. “But that fit seventies who still wants to work is of course not always present. For those who can, this is a great way to stay active. And the employer and employee can take advantage of it.”

Many AOW entitled people do not work full-time, nor do Schrauwen. “I said they could call me if there were gaps in schedules.” In practice, that is quite often: it is deployed about twice a week. And at his age, that is also felt. “I need more recovery time from such a service than before.”

Willian Kroeze is at the helm of Schrauwens team with three other AOW people. That people continue working does not surprise her. “It really starts here with a passion and that doesn’t suddenly stop.”

Although the help is welcome, Kroeze acknowledges that it must be physically feasible. “This is a very care -intensive profession, which is why we always start asking if someone can still handle it and what the wishes are.”

She finds a good development that it is mentioned for the first time in the CAO. “Because even if it is only a few people who stay because of this, everyone counts. We are busy with the shortage every day.”