Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is firmly against a further increase in the retirement age. "If you want to continue working longer voluntarily, as I do, that is possible. But you shouldn't be forced to," said the 66-year-old in Chemnitz. "With me, there will be no further increase in the statutory retirement age." Since 2012, the regular retirement age has been gradually rising from 65 to 67.
The Social Democrat emphasized that pension insurance had already been declared dead several times, but had survived all of the country's major crises. "We are currently paying a lower pension contribution than at the end of Helmut Kohl's term of office." In 1998, the contribution was over 20 percent, currently at 18.6 percent.
The fact that contributions have not risen as much as some feared is due to the fact that there are significantly more people in employment, explained Scholz. The immigration of skilled workers from abroad had also contributed to this.
What has helped in recent years must be maintained for the future. More companies must be prepared to give unemployed people in their 60s another chance. Scholz also called for more speed in the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. This should be standardized and more digitalized.
A new Bundestag will be elected in February. Scholz is the SPD's candidate for chancellor.
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