Short brief on trust Flemish Pension Reform GCES Conference on Trust and Education

7/12/2015

Miekatrien Sterck, Ann Raiglot &Ivan Foubert

Department of Education & Training

What was the reform? Before the reform: pension at 60 + early retirement scheme 2011 Decision at federal level: no more fixed minimum age

increasing the minimum pensionable age and increasing the number of years of service required to create entitlement to a State pension.

Major budgetary impact on Flemish Government Changes in early retirement for all staff members

born in/after 1958 no right to early retirement born before 1958: transitional scheme

For nursery teachers Born in/after 1959: 2-year period of early retirement Born before 1959: transitional scheme

Trust break down

Many teachers had already made plans to go into retirement Acquired right No public demonstrations Dissatisfaction manifested in consultations with the unions Different perspectives unions and government Divergent opinions within the coalition government

How to restore trust?

Transitional measure for the first group of teachers who were entitled to early retirement

Very intensive social negotiations, formal and informal Transitional measures Engagements on a workability index Perspectives on a debate on teachers career

Growing awareness about the need to work longer Teacher shortage Not explained from a saving logic