Age poverty in Baden-Württemberg: Pensioners fight for survival!
Age poverty in Baden-Württemberg: Pensioners fight for survival!
In Baden-Württemberg, the Situation is not rosy for many pensioners. According to SWR , the number of needy seniors has doubled in the past two decades. In 2022, the number of over 65 year olds, relating to basic security, was almost 111,000. This clearly shows that a large part of the older population has difficulty making ends.
A concrete example is the 65-year-old Petra Prieler, who does not do not do its pension with her 580 euro pension. To cover her living costs, she works for 15 hours a week at the board. After deducting the rent, she remains just 250 euros for other expenses, which only makes up a fraction of what you need to live. This is a reality that many seniors share in Baden-Württemberg.
The growing poverty in old age
The problem of old -age poverty is not only locally, but also affects the entire country. The numbers from Citizens in June 2024 a total of 728.990 senior citizens. corresponds to an increase of 37,000 compared to the previous year. The number of basic security recipients has increased by 39 percent since 2015. Women are particularly affected by the risk of poverty at 20.2 percent.
The reasons for this alarming development are diverse: demographic changes, falling wages, interrupted acquisition biographies and the increasing life expectancy cause many pensioners to make do without. 33 percent of pensioners who have paid for 40 years receive less than 1,250 euros a month. Even with 45 years of insurance, this percentage is still almost 25 percent.
increasing support and challenges
A remarkable trend is the increase in pensioners who use the board as customers. Table manager Sandra Hüsges reports from an increase in pensioners as clients from 20% to over 30%. In addition, many seniors collect bottles to make a difference.
The federal government reacts to the challenges of poverty in old age. Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche (CDU) suggests that pensioners should work longer, while the CDU in Baden-Württemberg rejects an increase in retirement age in the next four years. Winfried Mack, the economic policy spokesman for the CDU parliamentary group, refers to the gradual increase in the retirement age until 2031.
The pressure on seniors to stand longer in professional life is criticized by Verena Bentele, President of the Social Association VdK. She thinks not all people are able to work longer. According to statistics, 59% of people in Baden-Württemberg retire before the statutory retirement age. One of them is Wolfgang Aich, who enjoys his partial retirement and spends his time as a DJ at oldie parties.
like Prieler, who cannot afford many amenities, wonders whether she has done something wrong in her life. Whether this is really an individual wrong decision or rather an expression of the systemic challenges remains open.
summarized not only a problem that affects a single pensioner, but a whole generation of older people who are increasingly in the terminal between too low pensions and increasing cost of living. It is high time for comprehensive reforms in pension and social policy to protect future generations and to fight effectively.
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| Ort | Pforzheim, Deutschland |
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