Denmark suggests enacting law to bar gang members from entitlement to disability benefits
Gang members and biker posse associates could lose early retirement pensions following serious convictions under a new government plan.
This proposal, backed by a consensus of the conservative government and the four main opposition parties, seeks to suspend welfare benefits like disability pensions for individuals convicted of severe crimes.
With the proposal adopted, those found guilty of serious offenses could expect a five-year suspension on receiving benefits, including early retirement or senior pensions.
A staggering 146 individuals with ties to biker or street gangs slightly under one-fifth of Denmark's registered gang members received either early retirement or senior pensions in fall 2024, according to police records as reported by Ekstra Bladet in 2024.
Last year's TV2 documentary series The Black Swan put the spotlight on this issue, featuring undercover footage revealing gang-involved individuals seeking assistance with illicit activities such as money laundering.
Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, Denmark's Employment Minister, criticized this exploitation, stating, "The Black Swan gave us an unsettling glimpse into a dark side of Danish society where hardened criminals shamelessly manipulate the welfare system we all contribute to."
The proposal forms an extension of an existing suspension period on disability pensions from three to five years following a severe criminal conviction. Upon discharge from prison, convicted individuals would only be eligible to receive assistance equivalent to the lowest social welfare rate. Moreover, the types of crimes that would trigger a suspension will now include certain financial and drug-related offenses.
Curiously, it was revealed in October 2021 that the existing suspension scheme, instituted in 2019, had yet to be employed[5].
Halsboe-Jørgensen acknowledged the delay involved in implementing these changes, commenting that a person must commit a crime, be tried, and complete their sentence before the suspension takes effect[5]. It's estimated that around 200 people will be affected annually by this five-year quarantine rule, and the reform seeks to generate annual savings of over 25 million kroner for the government by 2035[5].
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Diving Deeper
#Crime
Behind the Scenes
This new Danish government proposal aims to withdraw early retirement pensions as well as other welfare benefits from convicted criminals associated with criminal gangs and biker posse[1][2]. These individuals will face a five-year ban on advantages such as early retirement, senior pension, or early pension eligibility following their conviction. After this period, they may reapply if they meet the laid-out requirements[1][2].
The proposed reform signals a clear message that it's unacceptable for convicted criminals to simultaneously receive significant welfare benefits meant for vulnerable citizens. It tackles the issue highlighted in the documentary titled "The Black Swan" which showcased the extent to which criminals exploited Denmark's welfare system[1][2].
Minister of Employment Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen explained that the motive for implementing this reform is to address the injustice of criminals receiving early retirement pensions[1][2]. Police statistics demonstrate that by late 2024, around 146 individuals linked to criminal gangs were receiving pensions, accounting for around 11% of Denmark's registered gang members[2].
*The new government proposal aims to revoke early retirement pensions and other welfare benefits for convicted criminals associated with criminal gangs and biker posse.* This reform is a direct response to the documentary "The Black Swan," which exposed the manipulation of Denmark's welfare system by hardened criminals, as well as the exploitation highlighted in the news regarding the receipt of early retirement pensions by around 146 individuals linked to criminal gangs.
