AMS boss Johannes Kopf supports the increase in the retirement age, which was brought into play by the chair of the Old Age Security Commission, Christine Mayrhuber: “What Mrs Mayrhuber is demanding is logical because it is not worth it.”
“A lot will change on this topic, we will probably have to work healthily for longer,” Kopf said at a press conference in Vienna on Friday.
Increase the starting age from 65 to 67?
Mayrhuber recently stated that “incredible efforts” would be needed to keep pensions within affordable limits. According to the expert, the starting age should be gradually increased by two years from 65 to 67.
This is the only way to keep costs, which have risen unexpectedly, mainly due to high inflation, within limits, Mayrhuber told the ‘Standard’. The increase must take place slowly to prevent an increase in unemployment or absenteeism. At the same time, the chairman of the Old Age Security Commission and Wifo economist is in favor of leaving the starting age for the corridor pension – the early pension bought with discounts – at 62 for people with long insurance periods.
“Get the Austrian system fit”
At a joint press conference, AMS boss Kopf and the head of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), Bernhard Wurzer, referred to the challenges for health care and the labor market resulting from the aging of society and the significant decline in the working population compared to people aged 65 and over by the year 2050.
Austria has “a good system”, but “much needs to be done to make it demographically appropriate because of these challenges”. Financing of labour market and health services depends directly on whether enough working people receive the system.
“No reason to worry, but reason for reforms”
Head and Wurzer advocate that the next government address the issue of demographic change and the decreasing working hours per person. “If you close your eyes and say that all this is no problem and that everything can be done easily, this message should not go out,” said ÖGK General Manager Wurzer. There is “no reason for concern, but there is reason for reform,” Kopf added.
The challenges in the labor market for the AMS boss can be solved in the coming years with a “package of measures”: Kopf again called for more childcare options, age-appropriate work, better professional integration of refugees and migrants and more opportunities for a faster return to work after maternity leave.
Digitalization must be increased
“In order to secure our social system and combat the labor shortage in Austria, it is necessary to make better use of the existing potential of those who can work in the future than before,” says Kopf. The ÖGK wants to reach insured people better, increase efficiency and better control patient flows through increasing digitalization. “Someone should not have to go to seven doctors before receiving a diagnosis, but should receive support in navigating the system,” says Wurzer. For this reason, the primary care departments and case management are being expanded.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
