As the latest data from the pension insurance reveals, the statutory pension for over 21 million retirees has increased by around 37 percent over the past decade. This trend is particularly evident among women, with the average number of insurance years rising from 26.3 in 2004 to 37.7 in 2024, largely due to an increased participation of women in the workforce in western Germany.
The average monthly pension for those entering retirement after 35 years of insurance has also seen a significant increase, from 1,210 euros in the past to 1,660 euros in the recent year, according to the data. This development has allowed retirees to participate in the country’s economic growth and, in particular, in the pay and salary increases of employees.
Heribert Jöris, chairman of the Federal Representative Assembly of the pension insurance, noted that the rising number of insurance years is a result of the increasing participation of women in the workforce, particularly in western Germany. The average monthly pension for men in the west has risen to 1,934 euros, while in the east, it stands at 1,627 euros. Women in the west receive an average of 1,416 euros and in the east, 1,507 euros, according to the pension insurance.
The number of insurance years has also increased, with the average number of years rising from 32.6 in 2004 to 39.4 in 2024. The proportion of retirees with at least 35 years of insurance has grown from 63 percent in 2014 to 73 percent in 2024, with the rise being more pronounced among women.