Sunday 11th July 2021
No rest in retirement
Around one million people over 67 work
The retirement age is currently 67 years. But for over a million people, their job is not over yet: They continue to work more or less regularly. Some do this voluntarily, others are forced to do so – a “tragedy”, believes the left.
More and more older people in Germany are working. Last year, 1.04 million employees were 67 years or older. Almost 600,000 still had a regular job by the age of 70. That shows the answer of the federal government to a request of the left in the Bundestag. Almost 220,000 were even aged 75 and over – and 72,000 employees aged 80 and over.
800,000 mini-jobbers are among the people in employment aged 67 and over. With the combination of pension and mini job, you do not have to take out social security and you do not have to pay taxes on the additional income. You can continue to work beyond your statutory retirement age, initially without retiring or as a pensioner.
A particularly large number of those affected work in an office, as cleaning staff or drivers. Many older people – often in mini-jobs – also work in the areas of building technology, warehouse management and delivery. It is possible to combine several mini-jobs if the total earnings remain at 450 euros.
Bartsch: “For many it is sheer hardship”
For years, labor market researchers have been finding that people do not necessarily feel ready for retirement when they reach retirement age. On average, older people are also fitter than previous generations. In addition, skilled workers are in great demand and also sought after in old age. According to experts, women in particular are often dependent on additional earnings in addition to retirement.
Left parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch, who made the request, said: “Of course there are employees who work voluntarily into old age, but for many it is the sheer financial hardship of having to earn something.” If people who are over 70, 75, 80 or even over 85 years old still have to work, it is a “tragedy”.
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