Ophelia de Vere

According to the German federal government’s plans, the retirement age is to be linked to life expectancy and gradually increased in the coming years. Based on the commission’s calculations, this would mean that from 2041, employees would not retire until the age of 67.5, and from 2051, at 68. By the 2090s, retirement at 70 would apply. Politically, these plans sound entirely plausible. If people live longer, they should also work longer. But this calculation only adds up if older employees are also increasingly hired in the future. So far, however, applications from the 50-plus generation tend to be met with rejection after rejection on the labour market. The Blind Spot in Recruiting Demographic change has already fundamentally altered the structure of the labour market. According to the Federal Statistical Office (2024), almost one in three working people now belongs to the over-50 age cohort. Nevertheless, according to the federal government, the potential of experienced talent has ...