The Minister of Employment wants to investigate the possibility of taking early retirement pensions from repeat offenders. None of the country’s four largest municipalities – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense – have revoked the early retirement pension from a member of a biker gang or criminal gang since January 1, 2018. This was reported by TV 2 after conducting a survey among the municipalities. Since 2018, the municipalities have been conducting an Al Capone effort, aimed at detecting and exposing any potential fraud or abuse of public benefits by gang members. According to data from the National Unit for Special Crime, approximately half of the individuals registered as biker or gang members received social benefits for at least one month in 2023. Out of a total of 1266 registered individuals, 662 received a public benefit, including unemployment benefits, student grants, cash assistance, and early retirement pensions. The latest TV 2 documentary “The Black Swan” has shed light on the issue and prompted several politicians to react. Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen (S) is among them, and she has stated that it should be explored whether early retirement pensions can be withdrawn from individuals who have repeatedly committed serious crimes. This debate raises questions about how social benefits are administered and whether there should be stricter rules for individuals involved in criminal activities. It will be interesting to see what measures the government will take in the future.

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