In Germany 20 million people benefit from public retirement pensions. Among them there is the widow’s pension, 55% of the amount comes from the spouse’s pension.

The German pension system is based on the contributions paid by active population.

The public retirement pensions should be brought up to date as the wages usually are. However, the social reforms on previous years were in pensioners charge. This is why they feel unfairly treated.

From 2004 to 2006, pensions were not brought up to date in an inflation ratio. The government passed an interim plan and, once again, the pensioners were disadvantaged.

Their taxes have barely changed and for many elderly the effects this year are even worse than last year.

Of course, inflation does not only affect to workers: pensioners are affected as well.  They suffer for the food, power and health insurance prices rise.

Unlike the workers, the pensioners do not receive unemployment benefit, which by the way is going to fall in 2009.

The taxes on taxable pensions dropped to 1400,00 € in 2009, but we still have our doubts as to the big pensions rise announced by the Government for 2009.
Nobody understands these chaotic reforms.

It is unacceptable that after a lifetime of work, the retirement pension amount is under social subsidy.
The minimum social subsidy for elderly pensioners amounts 800,00€ a month only; an insufficient amount t olive in Germany.

Some pensioners are forced to continue working as cleaning lady or as   substitute and earning a pittance (about 3 or 4 € an hour).
This is inhuman.

It is also unfair that pensioners have to pay the full social insurance premium, while workers pay only a half (the other half being paid by the employer). Regarding the health insurance, it is exactly the same.

The elderly meet also difficulties to get a loan and almost never get new insurances.

It is scandalous that a developed country as Germany is not able to finance its elderly, leading them to ask their children for help.

It is hard to accept that 50% of the elderly and disabled people loose contact with the external world because they live in old people’s houses and any relative visits them.

Therefore, not only politicians but we all are urged to fight together against any kind of discrimination against elderly people.

We do not want preferential treatment.
We do not want to be abandoned either.

Ruth Rebert
(Germany)