Voigt opposes the proposed increase in retirement age
Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt Opposes Increase in Retirement Age
In an interview with "Stern", Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt reiterated his opposition to a higher retirement age. Voigt, who is a member of the CDU party like Federal Minister of Economics Katharina Reiche, expressed concern that such a move would disadvantage those who have worked for decades.
Voigt advocates for a fair pension system that allows for flexible transitions into retirement. He supports options for people to adjust their retirement timing without mandatory age increases. For example, he mentioned the concept of an "active pension", which would enable individuals to continue working beyond the statutory retirement age if they choose to do so.
However, Voigt emphasized that anything other than the current retirement age is unfair. He argued that a higher retirement age is unrealistic and not feasible for many people, especially those in physically demanding jobs. He stated that those who have worked all their lives have a right to a dignified retirement and a pension that allows them to live.
Voigt criticized Reiche's plans to increase the retirement age, stating that the pension debate should not disadvantage those who have contributed significantly to the system over their working lives. He called for a pension system that considers both long-term contributors and future generations.
The discussion about the pension system and the retirement age is ongoing, with both Voigt and Reiche engaging in the debate. While Reiche supports plans that include raising the retirement age to address pension system sustainability, Voigt prioritizes flexibility and fairness in retirement transition without pushing for older exit ages. This disagreement highlights different priorities within pension policy debates in Germany as of 2025.
- The CDU party member, Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, critiques Federal Minister of Economics Katharina Reiche's plans for increasing the retirement age, opposing a policy that could potentially disadvantage those who have worked for decades.
- In a fair pension system, as advocated by Minister President Voigt, individuals can transition into retirement flexibly, with options to adjust their retirement timing without mandatory age increases.
- The discussion about pension policy and retirement age in Germany, as highlighted by Voigt's disagreement with Reiche, underscores the need for a system that balances the needs of long-term contributors and future generations.
- As part of the ongoing debate, policy-and-legislation involving the pension system and retirement age in Germany should be focused on the well-being of society, with a focus on health-and-wellness, workplace-wellness, and the aging population, in light of general-news reports and science-backed evidence.
