Retirement Age in Malta
Retirement from the workforce and pensions are hot topics globally at the moment – not just in Malta, but changes to the state retirement age are afoot on this small Mediterranean Island. It’s a matter of personal choice and circumstances that affect an individual’s retirement age, but the earlier you retire, the more funds you will need as the money will need to last longer. The State Pension age in Malta is currently 61 for men and 60 for women. Due to an ageing population and an increase in life expectancy combined with a falling birthrate over recent years, the retirement age is set to increase to 65 in the future, for both males and females.
Being a small island, Malta doesn’t need high speed trains or have multi-lane highways. The only forms of Public Transport are buses, taxis, and ferries. There was once a railway line with six stations running between Valletta and Mtarfa, but that ceased operations in 1931.
The popular game of Bocci is played all over the Maltese islands, and the pastime is closely related to the French game of Petanque, English Bowls and the Italian Bocce. Variations of Bocci are played all over Europe and it’s believed that the sport has its origins in the Roman period. Migrants from southern Europe who settled in Canada, Australia and The United States took the game with them and it formed an important part of their social scene. Maltese emigrants to Toronto and Melbourne set up Bocci clubs and these formed the hub of the Maltese communities there, together with band clubs and the Church.
September in Malta marks the month of change when the exhausting heat of summer makes way for cooler temperatures – a respite to many Maltese who, by now, have grown tired of the high temperatures and humidity which have been endured since June.
Getting away from it all is quite difficult on a small island the size of Malta, boasting one of the highest population densities in the world. With a Mediterranean climate, outdoor activities are enjoyed by many – locals and tourists alike. Getting off the beaten track is possible in Malta, and camping in the wild is one way to do it.
