Age poverty in Germany: Millions of pensioners fight for survival!

Age poverty in Germany: Millions of pensioners fight for survival!

Vienna, Österreich - In Germany, millions of pensioners are faced with the risk of poverty. Current ZDF documentation illuminates the difficult life situation of seniors who, despite years of work, do not receive enough pension to survive. The film "Pension? Isn't enough!" Imagine three moving fates and shows how many older people have to fight to cover their basic needs. According to the Report by vienna.at Life currently about 3.5 million pensioners on the poverty border.

The protagonists of the documentary is Vanessa, an 85-year-old podiatrist who has been working in the same quarter for 50 years. Despite her many years of activity, she cannot live on her pension. Angelika, 75 years old, works in the supermarket and, after 28 years of work and a divorce, receives a pension of only 800 euros per month. EBI, a 71-year-old former businessman, works as a German teacher for migrants after a herniated disc, but has no pension claims because he was self-employed. These personal stories make it clear that the causes of poverty in old age are diverse.

causes of poverty in old age

As the documentation shows, around 40 % of pensioners in Germany are threatened by poverty. Women in particular are affected, which is due to a variety of factors. Another analysis of the Federal Statistical Office clarifies that the poverty hazard quota for people over 65 years in 2024 was 19.4 %

For women aged 65 and over, this quota is even 21.4 %, while men in the same age group are only 17 % at risk of poverty. The gender pension gap is considerable: women receive an average of around a third less pension than men. This discrepancy is due, among other things, to interrupted acquisition biographies, often caused by child rearing or maintaining relatives.

The reality of the pensions

The statutory pension is the main source of income for many seniors. However, it turns out that in particular, employed people in the low -wage sector are severely affected by poverty in old age. According to the data of the Statista 2022, there is a threshold of 1,189 euros net per month. These financial difficulties mean that many pensioners are forced to work even in old age to make ends meet.

The documentary will be broadcast on ZDF on June 3, 2025 at 10:15 p.m. and is also available in the media library and the ZDF app. It urgently shows how relevant topics such as poverty in old age than ever have to come into the focus of the public.