Experts and the IG Metall union have criticized a proposal by Baden-Württemberg’s Finance Minister, Danyal Bayaz, to introduce a later retirement age for academics. The plan, they argue, would only lead to further fragmentation within the pension system, rather than addressing the root causes of the issue.
According to Hans-Jürgen Urban, Social Director of IG Metall, the burdens of work are not determined by an individual’s level of education, but rather by the specific working conditions. “Stress and overwork are the main causes of burnout, which is becoming a national health issue for everyone” he said.
Sandra Zimmermann, Head of Scientific Dialogue at the WifOR economic research institute, shares a similar view. “I find it extremely difficult and not effective to introduce regulations for specific groups of people, as it does not address the fundamental problem” she said.
Enzo Weber, Head of the Prognoses and General Economic Analysis department at the Institute for Labour Market and Career Research, suggests a different approach. “We should no longer focus on age, but rather on the individual needs of workers” he said. “It would be possible to allow employment contracts to end at the regular retirement age only if explicitly requested, rather than automatically.