Bieler warns: Pension package endangers the existence of pensioners!

Bieler warns: Pension package endangers the existence of pensioners!

Österreich - The discussion about the pension system in Austria picks up speed again. With the advance of the Interim President of the Pensioners' Association of Austria (PVÖ), Helmut Bieler, the current changes are made aware of the current changes that could be at risk of existence for many pensioners. Bieler in particular criticizes the elimination of the climate bonus and electricity cost brake, which was announced on May 2, 2025. In addition, the only partial pension adjustment in the first year of the pension causes lack of understanding among those affected and experts.

In addition, health insurance contributions for pensioners were increased, while the services are reduced. This leads to a doubling of the costs for medical services, including an approval for important examinations such as MRTS and CTS. Bieler describes these developments as unjust and appeals to the government of finding socially fairer solutions in order to reduce the stress for minimum pensioners. He also demands that the framework conditions for older workers will be improved in order to enable them better in the labor market.

criticism of political measures

In his statements, Bieler continues to respond to the increases of the statutory retirement age required by the NEOS, which he rejects as unacceptable. Bieler emphasizes that an increase in the age of pension does not bring a significant advantage as long as 45 percent of those affected go into retirement out of unemployment. This indicates deeper structural problems in the labor market that cannot be easily solved by age adjustments.

Bieler also questions the NEOS claim that the state had to shoot 30 billion euros annually for the pensions. In fact, the state only finances ASVG pensions with around 8 billion euros. This is an important clarification in the middle of the current debates about the sustainability of the pension system. Bieler and his colleague Rösner-El-Heliebi point out that the 30 billion listed also includes costs that are not directly connected to the pension system, such as child-rearing times and health costs.

European context

In the European context, pensions and pensions are of great relevance, since they are the main source of income in retirement for about a quarter of the EU population. The aim of the European pillar of social rights is to ensure an appropriate standard of living in old age and to protect against poverty, as in the website of the European Commission. The increasing proportion of older people and the longer life expectancy present the existing systems for challenges that require adjustments.

The EU supports Member States in ensuring high social protection, including reasonable pensions. Political solutions at the national level are crucial to combat age poverty and social exclusion. Women in particular are affected by old age, their pension claims are significantly below that of men.

Bieler not only focuses on the national discussion about the pension system, but also emphasizes the necessary adjustments at European level in order to secure future generations appropriately. The call to the government of rethinking current measures could be an important step towards a socially just pension system.