“Until the pension is enough again”: Seniors work in the drugstore over 70

Created: 09/26/2022, 16:31

By: Patricia Huber

Many pensioners no longer have enough money to live on.

This is also the case with Wolfgang and Hannelore, who, according to a report, work in the drugstore despite being retired.

Hamburg – The retirement age is increasing from year to year to currently up to 67 years.

Just recently, the President of the employers' association Gesamtmetall, Stefan Wolf, spoke out in favor of retiring at 70.

However, a number of pensioners are already continuing to work despite their advanced age.

Working despite a pension: When the money is no longer enough

The number of working pensioners has continued to rise in recent years.

In 2021, 1.05 million employees were 67 years or older, as reported by

.

72-year-old Wolfgang K. and 78-year-old Hannelore H. are still working despite their age.

Four days a week they clear shelves for two hours in a drugstore in Hamburg, as reported by the

.

For this, Hannelore and Wolfgang each receive 450 euros.

If they earned more, their pension would be reduced.

Actually, the two took the job to prevent boredom.

However, it is now also necessary to make ends meet.

Wolfgang currently receives a pension of 1100 euros and Hannelore 1300 euros.

"It used to be enough to live on and the salary was a nice bonus," explains Wolfgang to the

.

However, with high inflation, the situation of pensioners has changed.

"Since the prices have been rising, I've been dependent on it."

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Working in old age?

"Until the pension is enough"

As reported by the Federal Statistical Office, consumer prices in July 2022 were 7.5 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Prices have skyrocketed, especially for food (14.8 percent more expensive) and energy (35.7 percent more expensive).

At least Hannelore and Wolfgang enjoy their job.

He helps them to stay fit - and to earn the necessary living expenses on top of their retirement.

But how long is this going to go on?

"Well, as long as it's physically possible!

Just don't be idle," says Hannelore of the

.

Wolfgang adds: "Until the pension is enough to live again."