More basic security: Poverty among pensioners is growing

In Germany, the pension is not enough for more and more seniors to live on. According to a press report, a growing number of pensioners are also receiving basic security benefits. The Left Party calls on the government to act.

A growing number of pensioners receive basic social security benefits in addition to their pension. This is reported by the “RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland”, citing a list from the Federal Statistical Office. In June of the current year, almost 628,600 people of retirement age received basic security benefits nationwide. That is around 51,000 more people than in June 2021.

The left had asked for the numbers. Their faction leader in the Bundestag, Dietmar Bartsch, called on the government to act. “Poverty in old age is increasing and increasing,” said Bartsch. A comprehensive reform of the basic pension is important – with a minimum pension of 1200 euros.

Increase in the energy flat rate required

The traffic light coalition must also do significantly more to ensure that pensioners get through the winter. He demanded that the energy allowance of 300 euros for small to medium-sized pensions had to be increased.

“We need a protective shield against poverty in old age. The prices for electricity and gas must be capped before winter, not afterwards.”

Habeck: Relief already from January

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck made it clear in the “Handelsblatt” that he would like to start financial aid for electricity consumers sooner than previously expected. “In any case, the relief in electricity prices must start in January at the latest,” said the Green politician. The federal government wants to implement an electricity price brake analogous to the gas price brake starting in March.