Fewer Germans opting for early retirement, figures show
BERLIN, Germany - More and more people in Germany are working between the ages of 63 and 67, government figures show, reported dpa news.
The standard pensionable age for those born after 1964 is 67. Early retirement is possible starting at 63, with a reduction in benefits.
The data show the number of people in the 63 to 67 age group who are still subject to social security contributions and at least marginally employed rose steadily from 1.31 million in 2020 to 1.67 million last year.
In 2022, 1.52 million people in this age group were still in employment.
The figures came as part of a government response to questions from the hard-left Linke party in parliament, which was then made available to dpa.
The party's pensions expert Matthias W Birkwald said: "We are constantly hearing calls to raise the standard retirement age, abolish the so-called 'pension from 63'... or a so-called 'flexible retirement.'"
Yet the employment of older people is already increasing, he said.
In the long-running debate about how to respond to Germany's ageing population and labour shortage, trade unions and left-wing politicians have been opposed to raising the retirement age, perhaps to 70. - BERNAMA
