Germany's Elderly Face Record Levels of Poverty Risk

New data reveals 19.6% of retirees are now considered at risk of poverty, with calls for urgent pension reform.

The percentage of German retirees at risk of poverty rose from 18.4% in 2023 to 19.6% in 2024, affecting 3.54 million people.
This increase represents 300,000 more elderly individuals classified as at risk, with the rise outpacing that of the general population.
The poverty risk threshold for single-person households in 2024 was set at €1,378 per month, based on 60% of median income.
Women and former self-employed individuals are disproportionately affected due to interrupted work histories and insufficient private savings.
Political leaders, including BSW's Sahra Wagenknecht, are advocating for pension reforms modeled after Austria's system, which includes contributions from all workers, including civil servants and the self-employed.