In the first quarter, around 680,000 pensioners were dependent on basic security – more than ever before. This is reported by the Funke media group, citing the Federal Statistical Office. The left calls for a “protective shield against poverty in old age”.
According to a report, more pensioners than ever before are receiving basic security in Germany. As the newspapers of the Funke media group reported, citing previously unpublished data from the Federal Statistical Office, 684,000 pensioners were dependent on basic security in the first three months of the year – 90,000 more than in the previous year.
women particularly affected
This corresponds to an increase of around 15 percent year-on-year. Women are particularly affected by poverty in old age. According to the data, six out of ten pensioners recently received basic security.
All people whose income is not sufficient to cover the cost of living can apply for basic security in old age. The standard rate corresponds to that of basic security. Since last year, refugees from Ukraine who have reached retirement age have also been entitled to benefits under the Social Code under the usual conditions instead of under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act as before.
Left calls for “protective shield against poverty in old age”
The parliamentary group leader of the Left Party in the Bundestag, Dietmar Bartsch, called the numbers alarming. They are also the result of the “devastating politics” of the past few years, Bartsch told the Funke newspapers. “Inflation and war are particularly driving the numbers.” In addition to refugees from the Ukraine, it is above all the pensioners in this country who have slipped into poverty in old age in view of the price explosions. The number of unreported cases is significantly higher because many of those affected did not go to the social welfare office out of shame.
In view of the figures, Bartsch called for “a consistent anti-inflation policy” and a “protective shield against poverty in old age”. Prices would have to be lowered and, above all, food and energy would have to be completely controlled. Bartsch called for “a general overhaul” for the pension system. In his view, this includes a one-time pension increase of ten percent to compensate for inflation. In addition, the pension level should be raised to 53 percent and a minimum pension of 1,200 euros should be introduced.