Birgit Gerstorfer: First woman to head the pensioners' association!

Birgit Gerstorfer: First woman to head the pensioners' association!

Birgit Gerstorfer was elected as the first woman to head the Austrian Pensioners Association (PVÖ) on July 4, 2025. At an extraordinary association day, she received an impressive 96.6 percent of the delegate votes. Gerstorfer follows the late Peter Kostelka, who played an important role in the association in April of this year and died unexpectedly.

In her inaugural speech, Gerstorfer emphasized that representing the interests of the older generation was her most important task. She is 61 years old and can look back on many years of experience. Before her election as president, Gerstorfer was state president of the PVÖ in Upper Austria since 2023 and previously held important positions, including as state manager of the AMS and as state party leader of the SPÖ in Upper Austria.

Focus on age appropriateness

One of Gerstorfer's central concerns is combating poverty and discrimination in old age. It demands that the compensatory allowance, also known as the minimum pension, must be above the poverty line. In times when many people are struggling with financial difficulties, she sees it as an essential goal that the budget is not restructured on the backs of seniors. The entire mandate is characterized by the demand that older people be actively included in social processes and not be disadvantaged by advancing digitalization.

Gerstorfer plans to continue to monitor the federal government's austerity measures and is committed to an age-appropriate working environment and the expansion of health and care services. Discrimination against older people in various areas of life is also one of her main topics. In this context, she criticized, among other things, access to financial advantages that are often reserved for younger people.

Collaboration in the senior council

Gerstorfer will represent the interests of all older people, but places a particular focus on taking into account the concerns of women. She also received support from Ingrid Korosec, the president of the ÖVP Senior Citizens' Association, who congratulated her on this election and looks forward to working together in the Senior Citizens' Council. As reported, expectations are high for Gerstorfer not only to continue the proven collaboration, but also to develop innovative ideas to improve the quality of life of the older generation.

The election of Gerstorfer to the top of the PVÖ not only marks a historical turning point, but also a new step in the recognition and appreciation of older people in society. Their experience and fighting spirit give the association new dynamism to master the challenges of the coming years. Every step Gerstorfer takes is followed with interest, especially since she proves to be the voice of the older generation.