ÖGB demands: More jobs for older workers in Austria!

ÖGB demands: More jobs for older workers in Austria!

ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian has commented in a current debate on the Austrian pension system and emphasized that the pensions in Austria are secured. However, Katzian sees the need to increase the factual retirement age in order to make pension schemes sustainable. This requires various measures to promote healthy age structures in the world of work.

A striking point in Katzian’s analysis is the fact that a quarter of the people do not go from gainful employment into the pension, but out of professional life due to sick leave or unemployment. This raises questions about the need to increase the level of employment of older workers. The ÖGB President compares the Austrian pension system with the Danish model and highlights the differences.

comparison with the Danish pension system

The Danish pension system stands out due to its far -reaching state efforts to deal with older workers. According to FOCUS The Danish "folk pension" is financed from a basic amount and an allowance. The monthly basic amount is around 1600 euros before taxes. All Danes who have lived in Denmark for at least 40 years between the age of 15 and the start of the pension are entitled to this pension.

In the Danish system there are no exceptions such as in Germany for self -employed or civil servants, which leads to a simpler system without complex points systems. The second pillar of old -age provision, the "capital pension", is mandatory for people with medium or higher incomes. Employees and employers pay between five and ten percent of the salary into this pension form, which shows how the Danes also provide privately for their retirement provision.

employment of older workers in Austria

The fact that only about 30 percent of companies in Austria have employed people over the age of 60 years. Katzian therefore calls on the companies to make their efforts to integrate older workers more transparent instead of just making the demand for a longer employment. It is a call to responsibility for employers to revive the world of work of older workers.

In international comparison, it can be seen that countries like Germany have a high employment rate among older workers. The standard age limit in Germany is 67 years, and early retirement is possible from 63 years under certain conditions. Nevertheless, pension expenses in Germany, the retirement pensions, survivor pensions and other services include, moderately and below the EU average, which shows that the system is designed not only for sustainability, but also for efficiency, as is designed for how BMAS reported.

The discussion about pension systems and the employment of older people remains a central topic in the social debate. It is crucial that Austria recognizes and concerns the challenges in the system to ensure the future of retirement care.