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40% of German workers doubt they can reach retirement age, DGB survey finds
🇩🇪 Germany /Economy & Trade

40% of German workers doubt they can reach retirement age, DGB survey finds

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new DGB survey indicates that 40% of German workers doubt they can continue in their jobs until retirement age.
  • Workers in physically and mentally demanding professions, such as construction and healthcare, are particularly pessimistic, with half expecting to leave before retirement.
  • DGB leader Yasmin Fahimi urges the government to address these realities by improving working conditions and creating dignified transitions to retirement, rather than solely focusing on raising the retirement age.

A significant portion of Germany's workforce, nearly half of all employees, express doubt about their ability to remain in their current jobs until the statutory retirement age. A new analysis of the DGB Index Good Work reveals that only 53% of the nearly 28,000 surveyed workers believe they can perform their jobs without limitations until retirement.

These realities must no longer be ignored by the government in its pension decisions.

— Yasmin FahimiDGB leader Yasmin Fahimi commenting on the survey findings regarding workers' ability to reach retirement age.

These concerns are amplified in physically and mentally taxing professions. In sectors like plumbing and heating, 72% of workers doubt they can continue until retirement. Similar sentiments are echoed in nursing (71%), elderly care (67%), construction (66%), and among educators (57%). Factors contributing to this outlook include physical strain, time pressure, excessive noise, long working hours, limited autonomy, and inadequate workplace health promotion.

DGB leader Yasmin Fahimi described the findings as a "bitter diagnosis." She stressed that the government must consider these realities when making pension decisions. "Instead of constantly raising the retirement age, we need dignified transitions to retirement and healthier working conditions," Fahimi stated. "No one wants to see entire generations drag themselves into retirement sick and then have to accept deductions."

Instead of constantly raising the retirement age, we need dignified transitions to retirement and healthier working conditions.

— Yasmin FahimiDGB leader Yasmin Fahimi advocating for improved support for older workers nearing retirement.

The findings emerge amid a heated debate about the future of Germany's statutory pension system. Political leaders from the Union and SPD parties have indicated a swift implementation of reform proposals from a pension commission. These proposals include adjusting the retirement age based on life expectancy, abolishing the "Rente mit 63" (early retirement at 63), increasing the number of contributors, and introducing a capital-funded pension component.

No one wants to see entire generations drag themselves into retirement sick and then have to accept deductions.

— Yasmin FahimiDGB leader Yasmin Fahimi expressing concern about the health and financial well-being of workers nearing retirement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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