The new Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) is confident that despite budgetary pressures, an increase in the statutory retirement age can be avoided. In the interview with APA, she referred to planned measures to increase employment among older people and to raise the actual retirement age. Employment will also be a central focus in the social welfare reform. In the health sector, Schumann aims to regain public trust.

Schumann Sees "Smart Measure"

"I am sure it is feasible," emphasized the minister regarding maintaining the statutory retirement age, which is 65 for men and is currently being gradually increased for women (until 2033) to the same level. The coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS aims to achieve this with a new partial pension: "This is a very effective and smart measure." Restrictions on the corridor pension, concerning the access age and required insurance periods, are also planned.

Important for Schumann: "We want to ensure that pensions do not enter a burden loop." There will be no interference with pension amounts and the pension account, and: "The long-term insurance regulation remains, that's clear," said the minister about the "Hacklerregelung." Overall, the goal is to keep people employed longer and healthier.

"No Joy"

According to the government program, the pension sector is to contribute 2.9 billion euros to consolidation by 2031, half of which by 2028. The cuts also involve a higher health insurance contribution for pensioners. "So fundamentally, implementing this is not a pleasure. But we are bound to what was reported to Brussels by the previous negotiators," she reminded of the consolidation path submitted to the EU Commission by the FPÖ and ÖVP, which has been adopted by the current government. However, there are also mitigations regarding the prescription fee and the capping of drug costs.

The minister, whose department includes labor, social affairs, health, care, and consumer protection, also sees a need for action in the healthcare system. "It is essential, now also due to financial pressure, to come to structural measures," she said: "We actually have a very good healthcare system. We just need measures to set it up again for people so that they have the confidence that they will receive a good healthcare service, no matter how much money they have in their wallet." Regarding social insurance, Schumann insists on an evaluation of the health insurance reform, which under the turquoise-blue coalition led to the creation of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), as the promised patient billion was just a "marketing gimmick."

Disillusionment with Politics Identified

In the social welfare reform, Schumann wants to build on the basic idea of the former minimum security and bring people as close as possible to the labor market. Therefore, it is planned that the Public Employment Service (AMS) will play a central role here. The goal is to get all federal states, including Vienna, on board. "I come from the union. We are used to talking with many and finding solutions together. And we are tackling that now," she expressed confidence.

Schumann confirmed that the coalition partners ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS are now indeed ready for amicable cooperation. "We all agree that something needs to move forward now. And above all: People are disillusioned with politics. They are convinced that they have had enough of the bickering, enough of the disputes. Compromise is needed, and moving forward together is needed. We owe that to the people in Austria and to democracy."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.