Overview

• Official Deutsche Rentenversicherung figures show a record 1.4 million pensioners held paid jobs as of December 31, 2023.
• Nearly 375,000 retirees worked beyond marginal roles, highlighting the financial necessity driving many back into employment.
• Bartsch warned that statutory pensions covering under 50% of average wages leave numerous retirees unable to meet basic living expenses.
• He is calling for a comprehensive earnings insurance modeled on Austria’s system, with contributions from all workers including self-employed and officials.
• No updated data have been published since the 2023 cutoff, leaving the current extent of retiree employment unclear.