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Political Economy

The governing Moderate party in Sweden proposes tax cuts for the elderly, increase age limit for study loans and grants

Thursday, 07 March 2013
In a bid to make it possible for people to work longer, the governing Conservative party in Sweden is making a policy proposal to lower taxes from the older work force and to make it possible for older people to get access to further study support or retraining facilities.

At most, the proposal will give Skr2500 and more a month for those who want to work longer to reach the target of 69 or 70 years. This is considered as one of the Moderates party's unfulfilled campaign promises, that everyone should have the right to work beyond the age of 69. The new proposal would give the party the chance to make it possible for people to continue to work up to 70 years, compared to 67, which is in force today.

"We are living longer, it's amazing, but we have to work more and then the systems must be adapted. Whether it is 69 or 70 is not that important," says Elisabeth Svantesson, of the Moderate party in charge of job market issues and adds that the age increase should be gradual.

The proposal to give everyone the right to work longer has previously received criticism, including from industry organizations and entrepreneurs who rather want to see a more flexible labour working system.

"I think employers will also need to think about - how to actually take advantage of such a labour force," says Elisabeth Svantesson.

In the mean time, the party wants to increase the age limit for student study aid. Using their same mantra of living longer, the Moderate party suggests that the ability to take a leave of absence to try a new job after the age of 45 should be extended. It will also be easier to train again by raising the threshold for student study loeans and study support.
"For example, in today rule, if one wants to study further after 45, it has been difficult to get financial aid. The limit must increase," says Svantesson.

Exactly how much the limit should be raised Elisabeth Svantesson was not able to indicate at this time.
"I absolutely believe that we need to raise it by a few years. If we are to work longer we should be given the opportunity to be also to retrained later."
by Scancomark.com Team

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