Germany: the government, satisfied with the evolution of the employment of people over 55, holds the course for retirement at 67

Good news from the government.  “Entering a labor world adapted to age” is how Ursula von der Leyen entitled the 2010 report on retirement insurance.  It’s the first time this report gave an official opinion on the feasibility of the reform increasing retirement age to 67.  The Minister, who supports her theory with a series of statistics, says the situation is unequivocal.  The activity rate of 55-year-olds went over the 50% of 2007.  The rate for the 60-65 age group has doubled since 2000 and currently amounts to 41.4%.  In this age group, 23% of employees have a regular full-time job.  “This evolution shows that the process of extension of the active time has started and is quite dynamic” concluded the Minister, who thinks the reform is “necessary” and “feasible.”  Besides, Mrs. von der Leyen drew attention to the increasing number of measure in medium-size and large businesses to adjust working conditions to the employees’ age.  In all logic, the Council of Minister adopted the text and is planning to launch the reform as expected, meaning in 2012.
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ews from the government. “Entering a labor world adapted to age” is how Ursula von der Leyen entitled the 2010 report on retirement insurance. It’s the first time this report gave an official opinion on the feasibility of the reform increasing retirement age to 67. The Minister, who supports her theory with a series of statistics, says the situation is unequivocal. The activity rate of 55-year-olds went over the 50% of 2007. The rate for the 60-65 age group has doubled since 2000 and curre

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