Work and Retirement - Social Association VdK warns against the split of the older generation
The Social Association VdK sees significant dangers in the unequal distribution of opportunities for additional income in retirement, which could lead to a division among the elderly generation. "Almost every day, new ideas are being produced on how to encourage pensioners to work longer. However, those who cannot work longer are being overlooked," criticized VdK President Verena Bentele.
The organization also refers to the results of a representative survey commissioned from the polling institute Civey. According to this, almost half of those over 50 can imagine working alongside their pension. However, almost a third (30.5 percent) of them cite the fact that the money does not stretch far enough in retirement as the reason.
The survey shows clear differences. More than 62 percent of respondents cite the fact that they enjoy working as a motivation. Almost 47 percent also cite the opportunity to earn additional money. The fact that the pension is not sufficient enough is cited as the third most common reason.
Financial needs due to low pensions are particularly prevalent among workers (50.4 percent), divorcees (46.7 percent), and people with children in the household (40.7 percent). This reason is rarely cited by civil servants (10.2 percent), employees (30.5 percent), and people with a high level of education (27.1 percent), according to the social association.
According to the survey, enjoyment of work is particularly important for academics (70.8 percent), self-employed people (70.8 percent), and civil servants (64.4 percent) as a motivation for working in retirement. Overall, more people in the eastern German federal states say they have to work in retirement due to insufficient pension than in the west.
Poverty in old age must not become a matter of personal failure, according to Bentele. She explained that the numbers confirmed the assumption of the VdK that the opportunities to work alongside a pension are unequally distributed. On the one hand, there are those with a high level of education and a well-paid job with less physical strain. On the other hand, there are people who do not have well-paid jobs and are dependent on continuing to work. Those who cannot do so, for example due to illness, caring for relatives, or physically demanding work, have lost out.
The VdK demands a reformed basic pension, a higher disability pension, and more pension for caring relatives. Bentele: "The government must ensure that everyone has a good and secure pension after retirement. Only those who really want to should continue working. Poverty in old age must not become a matter of personal failure."
The survey highlights that financial needs due to inadequate pensions are more prevalent among certain groups, such as workers, divorcees, and individuals with children at home. This situation is less common among civil servants, employees, and individuals with a high level of education.
Despite the fact that enjoyment of work is a primary motivation for many individuals to continue working in retirement, such as academics and self-employed people, not everyone has this opportunity due to physical limitations or lack of well-paid jobs. VdK President Verena Bentele emphasizes that poverty in old age should not be seen as a personal failure, and everyone should have a secure pension after retirement, regardless of their ability to work extra hours.
