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Pension reform: Belakowitsch suggests alarm about poverty in old age!
FPÖ social spokeswoman Belakowitsch criticizes pension reform that could worsen poverty in old age; Experts discuss solutions.
Pension reform: Belakowitsch suggests alarm about poverty in old age!
The reform of the state pension system in Austria is causing heated debates. FPÖ social spokesperson Dr. Dagmar Belakowitsch sharply criticizes the government's measures and describes the sustainability mechanism as a "perfidious grab into the pensioners' pockets". ots.at reports about their concerns that the reform will not only reduce pension entitlements but also worsen poverty in old age, particularly among women with caring responsibilities. Belakowitsch knows many of those affected, including single parents and caring relatives, who are already in a precarious situation.
In this context, she advocates using savings potential in the asylum system instead of passing the financial burden on the local population. She warns that without reducing spending in the pension system, future tightening and contribution increases could be unavoidable. The proposed increase in the retirement age could also result in financial losses for many and an increase in poverty in old age, particularly for women.
Expert forum on the future of pensions
Christiane Holzinger, tax consultant and author, highlighted the importance of financial education and intergenerational fairness in her lecture. It demands that the state sees itself as a cooperation partner for the creation of favorable framework conditions for retirement provision. Financial education should be integrated into lessons in order to instill a positive relationship with money at an early stage.
Monika Köppl-Turyna, director of EcoAustria, stated that the state's pension spending will continue to increase and pointed out the need for budget consolidation. She advocates a balanced mix of three pillars of the pension system to ensure future financial stability. Christine Mayrhuber, deputy director of WIFO, noted that poverty in old age is not only caused by unequal income levels, but also by structural inequalities in education and the labor market.
The challenge of old age poverty
The issue of poverty in old age has been identified as one of the greatest social challenges that particularly affects women. Mayrhuber pointed out that many women live below the compensatory allowance guideline, which underlines the urgency of structural changes in the pension system. ots.at added the discussion of various possible solutions, such as automatic pension splitting, which was discussed by some experts as a way to combat women's poverty.
In the final discussion, various perspectives on the sustainability mechanism were discussed, which was criticized by some as unambitious. Concerns about short-term reforms undermining confidence in the system were also raised.
The reforms and their potential impacts therefore not only represent a challenge for policy makers, but are also an important socio-political issue that requires urgent attention.