Edition of Thursday, August 10, 2023
Innsbruck (OTS) – pension reform? This word alone makes the hair on the back of the neck of politicians of almost all colors stand on end. The refusal to discuss could still fall on our heads – at least the younger ones.
Is it cowardice? Ignorance? Surrender to those who want to solve the big problems with simple answers? The fact is that the parties have long since stopped thinking about the future of the pension system. Only the NEOS are an exception. You can afford to tackle unpopular issues; her followers expect nothing less.
Even the ÖVP, which not so long ago made a “pension reform” the flag issue, has said goodbye to the topic. Sebastian Kurz did not want to risk the accusation of “social coldness”. And successor Karl Nehammer certainly does not open this flank in the defensive fight against Herbert Kickl’s FPÖ.
But the facts speak a clear language. Our pension system is basically a good one. Anyone who works today pays the salaries of the pensioners. And those who later retire themselves can rely on the solidarity of the contributors of tomorrow.
The state assumes the default liability in this pay-as-you-go system – and all taxpayers who pay for the federal budget.
Despite all cowardice, ignorance or capitulation, the imbalance cannot be overlooked. People are living longer. This is a reason to celebrate. But they still retire as if life expectancy were the same as it was 40 or 50 years ago.
But no one wants to seriously discuss what this shift means for the pension system and contingent liability. The pacifiers of all colors prefer to affirm that the pensions are safe – they are, after all, if the federal government steps in.
However, the willingness to stay longer in the job does not increase as a result of this ducking away. Quite apart from the fact that companies would first have to increase their willingness to employ people for longer. Instead of employing expensive old people, they prefer to employ cheaper young people. The question also arises as to whether everyone should work the same length of time – or whether a distinction should be made between occupations.
The pension question is complex. But not attacking them at all is cowardly and ignorant at the same time. Debates about the emperor’s beard are easier to conduct, debates about “normality” or about cash in the constitution.
Serious discussions can be avoided with mock debates. The problems and questions remain, whether with pensions or with the climate crisis.
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Tiroler Tageszeitung
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