Elderly Women Dealing with Poverty Rises Steadily, Hitting 2.1 Million in Number - Elderly women face higher risks of impoverishment. Over 2.1 million women in the specific category of senior citizens struggle with poverty.
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Millions of Women in Germany Faced with Old-Age Poverty in 2020
The statistics reveal a sharp increase in the number of elderly women living in poverty over the past decade. In 2005, around 2 million pensioners were affected, but last year, the figure surged to 3.4 million.
The chairwoman of the left-leaning BSW party, Sahra Wagenknecht, contends that the current pension system discriminates against women. She advocates for the adoption of a pension model similar to that in Austria as a solution. "We need to transition to the Austrian pension model," Wagenknecht stated to Der Spiegel. The BSW insists on a minimum pension of €1,500 after 40 years of contributions. In Austria, nearly all wage earners contribute to the statutory pension, and the average pension is significantly higher compared to Germany.
Addressing the issue of sustainable pension policy is one of the critical objectives of the newly-elected federal government. In recent debates within the black-red coalition, differing opinions have emerged regarding this matter. Labour Minister Barbara Bas (SPD) proposed that self-employed and civil servants should contribute to the statutory pension scheme. However, representatives from the Union vehemently oppose this notion. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, before his appointment as finance minister and deputy chancellor, had advocated for a "real reform" of the pension system.
Regarding the BSW's proposed solutions for the old-age poverty issue among women, specific details are not clearly defined. Generally, the party focuses on economic policies aimed at reducing inequality and improving the living conditions of the working class, which may extend to measures that benefit seniors, such as higher pensions or enhanced social welfare.
In comparison, Austria's pension model is renowned for its robustness, offering a blend of public and private elements with the primary goal of providing a stable income for retirees. The Austria system generally offers more significant benefits compared to other European countries, potentially helping to alleviate old-age poverty among women. However, without explicit BSW proposals for addressing old-age poverty, it is challenging to provide a direct comparison to the Austrian model.
Possible solutions to curb old-age poverty among women might include increasing pension payments, instituting or expanding social welfare programs, and promoting employment opportunities for older women to maintain financial stability before retirement. While the BSW's approach concentrates on broader economic reforms, the Austrian model offers a well-established framework for tackling old-age poverty through robust pension systems. However, without specific BSW proposals, it is difficult to compare these approaches directly in terms of their effectiveness for addressing old-age poverty among women.
- The BSW party, advocating for a solution to old-age poverty among women, proposes adopting a pension model similar to Austria's, which is renowned for its robustness and blend of public and private elements.
- The science behind vocational training can play a significant role in empowering women to secure better employment opportunities, thus promoting financial stability before retirement.
- In the realm of policy and legislation, addressing health-and-wellness issues, including women's health, is crucial for ensuring that older women maintain optimal quality of life as they age.
- To combat old-age poverty, specific policy initiatives could include increasing vocational training opportunities, implementing or expanding social welfare programs, and promoting general-news policies that focus on reducing inequality and improving the living conditions of the working class, particularly women.
