Retirement as a mistake: Drexel demands new perspectives for old age!

Retirement as a mistake: Drexel demands new perspectives for old age!

Gerhard Drexel, former CEO of the food company Spar, has lifted with his new book "Retirement - how the best will be the best". In this work, he illuminates the challenges and opportunities associated with retirement. Today, on March 31, 2025, Drexel raises the question of whether retirement is actually a desirable goal or should rather be viewed as an error. As a member of one of the owner families of Spar and co -founder from the 1970s, he not only brings personal experiences, but also a broad perspective from his many years of work in the company. From 1990 to 2020 he was on the board, and from 2001 to the end of 2020 he took on the role of the CEO.

Under Drexel's management, Spar was transformed by the Austrian food dealer to an important trading group in Central Europe. His resignation as CEO fell together with the takeover of market leadership in the Austrian food trade, after which he moved to the Supervisory Board. In the year he turns 70, Drexel is intensively devoted to retirement and encourages older people to live independently.

retirement as a challenge

Drexel does not see retirement as the end, but as a phase that can be designed sensibly. He warns of the possible negative consequences of early retirement, which among other things could bring an increased danger to dementia diseases. In his book, he quotes scientific studies that show that a balanced rhythm of work and calm is crucial for a healthy life. These findings agree with the results of the German old age survey (DEAS), which has examined the living conditions of people aged 40 and over since 1996 and regularly publishes findings on the second half of life, including topics such as professional development, social networks and health well -being.

Drexel appeals to society to adapt the statutory retirement age in order to take into account the demographic changes and the increased life expectancy. He is convinced that older people should remain active even after reaching the retirement age and take on meaningful tasks in order to maintain their quality of life.

tips for active older people

In an accompanying video and podcast, Drexel gives tips on how older people can make their time meaningful. His central message is that the state should not punish older people. He encourages to remain active in the so-called "post-operative phase" and to actively shape your own life situation.

With his book and the associated media, Drexel wants to give an impetus to rethink the image of retirement and to focus on the possibilities and potential of age. His initiative is particularly relevant at a time when the German population is getting older and the Deas regularly documents developments in the life situation of older people. The Deas is carried out by the German Center for Age issues and offers important data on the economic situation, retirement provision and quality of life of older people.

The book presentation took place in the Mezzanin restaurant at the Interspar in Wiener Schottengasse, where Drexel presented his concept to a broad audience. The passing on of knowledge and experience to the next generation plays an as important role in Drexel's approach as to occur for a change in the social perception of retirement.