Several key industries are proactively advocating for the implementation of Germany’s planned Aktivrente (active retirement) scheme, slated to launch on January 1, 2026. A survey of 15 industry associations, reported by Bild, reveals a widespread expectation that employees will continue working beyond the statutory retirement age, aiming to alleviate the pervasive shortage of skilled workers across various sectors.
Stefan Genth, CEO of the German Retail Federation (HDE), expressed optimism regarding the Aktivrente’s potential to ease the pressures on the labor market. He highlighted the current 122,000 vacant positions within the retail sector, suggesting that the scheme offers a potential solution. Genth further emphasized the need for government incentives to encourage older workers to remain in the workforce and, crucially, called for the Aktivrente to be extended to self-employed individuals, a point echoed by other industry representatives.
Roland Ermer, President of the Central Association of the German Bakers’ Guild, described the initiative as “a step in the right direction” advocating for rewarding those who choose prolonged participation in the workforce as a means of addressing the skills gap. His sentiment was tempered by a direct critique: the current exclusion of self-employed individuals represents a significant oversight, particularly detrimental to craft businesses and small enterprises which desperately need to retain experienced workers.
Felix Pakleppa, CEO of the Central Association of the German Construction Industry, tempered expectations by warning that the Aktivrente is merely “a first step” and will not single-handedly resolve the widespread shortage of skilled labor. He acknowledged that many individuals still opt for earlier retirement, despite potential reductions in pension benefits.
The German Care Association adopted a more cautious stance. Markus Mai, the organization’s chairman, suggested the impact would likely be “marginal”. He pointed to the specific challenges faced by female caregivers, often with shorter working histories and lower pension expectations, noting that while the Aktivrente could potentially offer a means of bolstering their income, its overall contribution remains questionable.
Peter Adrian, President of the DIHK (Chambers of Industry and Commerce), deemed the initiative “a correct and important step” acknowledging the desperate need for employees amidst an ongoing economic downturn and the mass exodus of the baby boomer generation from the workforce. He underlined the necessity of creating incentives for extended working lives, stressing that the regulations must be streamlined for both businesses and employees to ensure widespread adoption.
The push for extension to self-employed workers and concerns regarding broader effectiveness reveal underlying anxieties about the scheme’s ultimate impact and highlight the complexities of incentivizing older workers to remain engaged within Germany’s evolving labor market.