The Austrians want to stay in work longer, but working at an older age must be worthwhile. The Chamber of Commerce also sees it and intervenes in the pension debate: President Harald Mahrer is against the increase in age and punishments for companies, but suggests a third path.
“Kehraus” will soon be in parliament – ie the last meeting of the National Council before the summer vacation. A small pension reform is determined here. The use of the partial council will be made possible from the beginning of 2026. With the introduction of the partial council, it will be possible in the future under certain conditions to obtain part of the pension before the final pension. All actors in the political public prosecutor are aware: to secure the pension system, it cannot stay with this measure.
There has been an exchange of success between the Industrial Association (IV) and the Spö for weeks. IV president Georg Knill wants an increase in retirement age to 67 years. Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer of Spö countered in the “Krone” interview that it is the entrepreneurs who want to keep employees in their work for more than 60 years. He therefore demands a bonus malus system for entrepreneurs.
President Harald Mahrer has been quiet so far. He now intervenes in the debate – and does not want to punish and not a coercion, but introduces a third way. “We need stimuli because people can calculate. If it does not bear fruit to work in the retirement, nobody will do it,” says Mahrer.
Wkö pushes on “flattax”
That is why the WKö president urges a rapid implementation of the tax brake of 25 percent in the government program for those who want to earn in the Pension A “Flattax”. If a retired person earns 100 euros, he would only have to pay 25 euros. “So that we can finance our prosperity in the future, enough people are needed to help. It is a real stimulus that everyone benefits,” Mahrer is convinced.
The Chamber of Commerce with 900 respondents from the Market Institute has been demolished or its model arrives. 70 percent of the Austrians would work longer if they could earn unlimited for this from the statutory retirement age and the reimbursement is low. It is even 76 percent for the citizens of more than 60.
So three -quarters can imagine to work in the pension. But which workload still wants to retire? 65 percent want to work a maximum of ten hours, 31 percent to 20 hours and about eight percent more than 20 hours. As a motivation, 78 percent indicate that this can lead a better life in the retirement.
However, according to market research, the willingness of the entrepreneurs to hire pensioners: 77 percent of entrepreneurs would have a retired person. 81 percent of entrepreneurs are ready to hire the part -time of older employees.
“The government is in control”
“The entrepreneurs are happy with everyone who tackles and brings their experiences. Most 60+ would also work if it pays. The government is in control of fulfilling both wishes,” Mahrer said.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
