Senior Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has strongly criticized a recent proposal by Economics Minister Katarina Reiche (CDU) suggesting a possible increase in the statutory retirement age to 70.
Speaking to RTL and n-tv, Klingbeil characterized the suggestion as overly simplistic, observing that it lacked consideration for the realities faced by many working individuals across the country. He emphasized that such a measure overlooks the physical demands of professions such as roofing, caregiving and early childhood education, where many individuals already struggle to reach the current retirement age of 67.
“Telling these people that we want them to work even longer would be a slap in the face to many” Klingbeil stated. He reiterated a firm commitment, made during coalition negotiations, against any increase in the statutory retirement age. This commitment, he explained, is a settled agreement between the CDU and SPD parties.
Instead of raising the retirement age, Klingbeil and the government are prioritizing initiatives to incentivize those already retired to consider continuing work on a voluntary basis. The focus, he explained, will be on creating more attractive conditions for those who wish to remain in the workforce, thereby preserving a greater proportion of their earnings.