The former Federal Minister of Labour, Franz Müntefering, has cautioned against broad-stroke proposals for increased working hours and a later retirement age, while simultaneously acknowledging the importance of a public discussion on the matter. He dismissed recent statements by Economics Minister Katarina Reiche, published in the Tagesspiegel newspaper, as “generalized nonsense.
Müntefering emphasized the need for individual consideration, stating, “It’s far too generalized; it depends on each individual”. He pointed out that people are entering the workforce later and living longer, healthier lives than in previous generations. This, he argued, necessitated a review of the current retirement system, introduced in 2006 with a state pension age of 67. “Perhaps we need to build on that” he stated, suggesting a debate regarding extended working periods is worthwhile. “We should discuss more flexible transitions into retirement. It’s important to talk about it. This debate is not undesirable, but essential.
He criticized the tendency towards blanket statements regarding work duration, asserting that “generalizations fall short”. Citing the diverse circumstances of individuals, Müntefering noted, “People are different – they have different talents, abilities and health conditions. Some may be unable to work at 45 or 60, while others want to continue working until 63, 65, or even 70.
Müntefering observed a growing trend among citizens choosing to work beyond the statutory retirement age, with “15 to 20 percent of people in retirement age wanting to work longer”. He further highlighted the increasing desire for both employees and public servants to retain greater autonomy in determining their working lives beyond age 65 or 66. Employers are also increasingly valuing experienced workers, wanting to retain older employees or even recruit them for their knowledge and expertise.
The former SPD leader expressed resistance to the term “retirement” arguing, “We categorically assign ‘retirement’ to people at 65 or 66”. He found the very term problematic, saying it implies obsolescence – the notion that individuals are discarded or no longer needed. He considers this perception to be fundamentally flawed. He predicts a shift away from standardized approaches, advocating for greater flexibility to address the evolving needs of a more diverse workforce.