Group I: The Vanguards — Consolidating Their Position Beyond Stockholm

Abstract

As aforementioned, Sweden, Denmark, the UK and Portugal had all surpassed the Stockholm target of 50% employment for older individuals and Ireland was deemed by the EU to be close at 48% in 2002 (Council of the European Union, 2004). This chapter will explore the policy changes implemented in these nations from the mid-1990s until 2010, considering the policy context prior to the launch of the Stockholm and Barcelona targets as well as the subsequent reforms. It will then examine the impact of these changes to policies for work and retirement for the sub-groups within the older age category.