Linz (OTS) – Despite a lack of equality in the world of work, the standard retirement age for women will gradually be raised from the current 60 to 65 from January 1, 2024. It increases every six months until it reaches that of men in 2033. “This ignores the existing gender-specific inequalities in the labor market. If you want to eliminate this, you have to take other measures. Because women are still very disadvantaged
“, says AK President Andreas Stangl. He calls for a legal right to a childcare place and the massive expansion of professional care.
The retirement pensions of Upper Austrian women are only around half as high as those of men. As a result, many pensioners living alone in Upper Austria are affected by poverty. Constantly low pensions and the increased risk of poverty in old age are the result of many disadvantages faced by women in the labor market. There are still clear differences between the incomes of women and men. Many women also work part-time because many regions still lack the childcare options that make full-time work possible. And last but not least, women continue to bear the vast majority of unpaid housework and care work and often interrupt their careers due to care responsibilities, while fathers still do not participate enough in childcare.
Half-yearly increase in the retirement age
All women born after January 1, 1964 are affected by the increase in the retirement age. When exactly they can retire depends on their birthday. All women born between January 1, 1964 and June 30, 1964 must work until they are 60.5 years old. All those born between July 1, 1964 and December 31, 1964 work until the age of 61, and all those born after June 30, 1968 work the same amount of time as men do now, namely until age 65. An overview of the exact retirement dates is given s under ooe.arbeiterkammer.at.
Danger! Anyone who retires before the statutory retirement age must expect reductions in the pension amount. “We definitely recommend personal advice at the AK headquarters in Linz or at one of our district offices,” says AK President Andreas Stangl. The AK Women’s Pension Check also helps to assess the personal situation and the impact on the pension account and to check the requirements for a retirement pension. More information can be found at ooe.arbeiterkammer.at.
A fairer labor market is necessary“In order to truly achieve equality between men and women in the labor market, measures other than increasing the retirement age for women are necessary.”
, emphasizes AK President Andreas Stangl. There must finally be equal pay for work of equal value.
Also important are a childcare allowance that offers more incentives for a real partnership-based sharing, full-time child education and care offers across the board and a legal right to a childcare place from the child’s first birthday. Further AK demands include a massive expansion of professional care and an environment that enables age-appropriate work, i.e. sufficient staff and time resources as well as a legal right to partial retirement.
Questions & Contact:
Chamber of Labor Upper Austria – Communication
Hans Promberger
+43 (0)50 6906 2161
his.promberger@akooe.at
ooe.arbeiterkammer.at