The number of people aged between 63 and 67 who are subject to social insurance contributions and those in marginal employment rose to 1.67 million last year. A protagonist of the RTL Zwei program “Poor Germany – Stamp or toil’ is also one of them.
Heidi continues to work even when she's retired - sometimes six days a week. The pensioner only wants to apply for help from the state when she can no longer work for health reasons. Women in particular are affected by poverty in old age. According to the Federal Employment Agency, this could affect one in three women who work full-time. On the one hand, this is due to the difference in salaries between women and men, and on the other hand, it has to do with starting a family. An economist is calling for the withdrawal of the tax-free pension at 63. The RTL program was broadcast in 2022. It is unclear whether Heidi has now applied for an increase. She'd rather save up for the next gift from one of her grandchildren.