Minister of Social Affairs Schumann Wants to Strengthen Women's Pensions

Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) has called for "courage for change" and patience in light of "Equal Pension Day" on Thursday and the still large pension gap between men and women. The government has taken steps, but it requires "stamina," she said in a statement to the APA. Regarding pension adjustments, the minister emphasized that women with small pensions must not be left behind.

Specifically, Schumann did not want to comment yet on whether and how, given the budget problems, an increase in pensions could be expected. "We will, just like every year, wait for the numbers in this process" - and then enter negotiations with the representatives of pensioners. "But it is clear that we cannot leave women with low pensions out in the rain," she emphasized.

Women Wait 147 Days Longer for Equal Pension

With a 39.7 percent difference between the average monthly gross pension of women and men, the gap has fallen below 40 percent for the first time, but remains large. Men received as much pension on August 7 as women did only at the end of the year - 147 days later. Last year, the difference was slightly larger at 40.1 percent.

"The pension gap is the result of decades of structural inequalities in the labor market, in the distribution of unpaid work, and in career opportunities for women," said Schumann. These problems cannot be solved "overnight." "In the government program, we have agreed, among other things, on the introduction of the mandatory second kindergarten year - an important step so that women do not have to choose between job and family and then end up in old-age poverty," she referred to coalition steps. But it is clear: "It takes stamina and also a societal rethinking to sustainably change the numbers."

The decades-long structural disadvantages cannot be remedied by one government alone, she also advocated for staying "realistic." However, she works "every day" to ensure "that we become fairer step by step." "It takes courage for changes, but also patience to create sustainable solutions" - especially in light of the budget situation.

Schumann: Many Women Would Like to Work More

The minister also emphasized that it is clear "that over 150,000 women in Austria would like to work more hours than they do." "80,000 of them want to work full-time but cannot due to a lack of childcare and care options as well as a lack of full-time jobs." The government is working on improving the care situation, but she also appeals to employers "to create full-time jobs on the one hand and to employ older women on the other."

Against "Blanket Savings" in the Pension Sector

Against criticism that Austria has a very expensive pension system, Schumann defended: "Austria has one of the most solidaristic pension systems in Europe. That it is well-financed is an expression of this social idea." It is true that long-term demographic changes must be addressed. "But with blanket savings in the pension sector, we endanger social cohesion." Instead, efforts must be made to improve the employment rate of older workers.

She also pointed out that the statutory retirement age for women will be gradually raised to 65 years by 2033. Once again, she made it clear that there are currently "no plans for a general increase" beyond that: "We have also agreed on this as a government." It is more about measures that enable people to stay healthy in the workforce longer, such as health promotion or flexible transition options like partial retirement.

Minister of Social Affairs Against "Badmouthing" the Pension System

Schumann also emphasized that she does not support questioning the statutory pay-as-you-go financing. This has proven itself even in times of crisis. "Mixed models with funded elements are risky, as seen in other countries where people had to accept massive losses in their retirement savings." In Austria, the focus is on the security of pay-as-you-go financing and "social solidarity." "I also want to emphasize that badmouthing our pension system is not helpful," said Schumann.

Senior Representatives Demand Measures

ÖVP Senior Citizens' Association President Ingrid Korosec once again called for automatic pension splitting and an expansion of childcare as well as more full-time opportunities for women on Wednesday. The president of the SPÖ-affiliated Pensioners' Association of Austria (PVÖ), Birgit Gerstorfer, emphasized that women should "not have to fear aging." She pointed out that about 30 percent of women living alone are at risk of poverty. "The compensatory allowance must finally be raised above the poverty line," she demanded.

The acting ÖGB Federal Women's Chairwoman Christa Hörmann spoke of a "structural injustice" and called for wage transparency as the "key to fair incomes." The SPÖ women also stated that wage transparency and childcare must be used to close the pension gap.

FCG Federal Women's Chairwoman Ursula Hafner particularly criticized that women's unpaid work is largely "invisible" in the system. She also linked this to the current criticism of the use of part-time work, which was initiated, among others, by Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP): This is often not voluntary but structurally forced, for example, due to childcare obligations.

Volkshilfe: Distribute Care Work "Fairly"

Volkshilfe also referred to the unpaid work of women: To effectively combat old-age poverty - especially among women - a "family-friendly welfare state that fairly distributes care work and consistently relieves families" is needed, it was stated.

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) advocated for a "positive reform push." This means that the statutory retirement age must gradually increase and the employment rate of older workers must be raised through the adjustment of legal frameworks and incentives.

(APA/Red)

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