The number of people working in the Netherlands beyond their 70th birthday has more than doubled in the last 15 years, reports RTL Nieuws. In 2018 7.3% of septuagenarians earned an income from working, compared to 3.3% in 2003. More than half (55%) were zzp’ers (self-employed), a proportion that rises to 69% of over-75s. David van Bodegom, scientist at the Leyden Academy, told RTL Nieuws that the decision of when to pension workers off should take account of their wishes and circumstances and argued for a more flexible retirement age. “Some people have to keep working for too long, others get to 66 and are told: ‘go and sit at home, you’re no longer required.’ Both situations are harmful,” van Bodegom said. “In principle, working after the retirement age is healthy, says Van Bodegom said. Van Bodegom said many elderly people were willing and able to keep working, though they might need to make adjustments because they struggled to work 40 hours a week or irregular shifts.