Overview

• Official data show 1.1 million Germans aged 67 or older remained employed last year, a rise of 51,000 from 2023.
• The number of working retirees has quadrupled since 2004, far outpacing the overall retiree population’s modest growth from 19.6 million to 21.4 million.
• CDU secretary-general Carsten Linnemann argued that retirees are underutilized in the labor market and called for incentives to boost their participation.
• The CDU/CSU’s 'Aktivrente' initiative would let seniors earn up to €2,000 tax-free, though party leader Friedrich Merz has ruled out raising the retirement age to 70.
• BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht denounced the debate as demeaning to retirees and urged a pension system overhaul modeled on Austria’s approach.