Active pension: 29 percent of working pensioners are self-employed

Berlin. Many people work while receiving a statutory pension, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office published on Tuesday. At least one-third of retirees are self-employed.

According to initial results of the 2024 microcensus, 13 percent of pensioners aged 65 to 74 were employed. Men with an old-age pension (16 percent) were more likely to work than women (10 percent).

Half of the retirees reported being marginally employed. Overall, 71 percent were in paid employment. A full-time equivalent of 29 percent was self-employed. However, the "active pension" planned by the government is not intended for the latter.

Criticism also from the medical profession

Not surprisingly, the proportion of working retirees declines steadily with age. Almost one-fifth (18 percent) of pensioners aged 65 to 66 were employed, while only eight percent of retirees aged 73 to 74 were employed.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, persons who report receiving a statutory pension for reasons of old age are considered pensioners. Pensions or other types of benefits are therefore not taken into account.

Recently, the German Medical Association, among others, criticized the draft legislation for the active pension scheme, which included the planned exclusion of the self-employed. Anyone who seriously wants to prevent the looming shortage of healthcare services "cannot forego the contribution of practicing physicians." (juk)