Pension crisis in the Leer district: women only receive 682 euros per month!

Pension crisis in the Leer district: women only receive 682 euros per month!

In the Leer district, women are left in the shadows when it comes to their pensions. With an average monthly amount of just 682 euros, they have 156 euros less than the national average of 838 euros. These worrying figures come from a current study by the German Insurance Association (GDV) and the economic research institute Prognos, which makes the gender pension gap particularly clear. But how does the situation of women in Lower Saxony compare to their male colleagues? NDR reports that men in the Leer district receive twice as much pension as women.

In order to gain a better understanding of this problem, it can be seen that differences in employment histories play a central role. Women are often employed part-time, have more career breaks or work in jobs that pay less. All of these factors significantly reduce pension entitlements. GDV highlights that in 2023 women received a national average of 936 euros per month, while men received 50 percent more with 1,427 euros.

Development over a decade

A look at the development of pensions reveals a certain ray of hope: between 2013 and 2023, women's pensions in Lower Saxony rose by an impressive 67 percent. In comparison, the increase among men was only 30 percent. However, this does not mean that the pension gap has been closed, as women across the country continue to earn 11 percent less than the national average. Only in the Hanover region do women receive a pension of 940 euros, which is more than the average.

However, the structural causes of the gender pension gap are stubborn. Loud Destatis The lower retirement incomes are the result of the different employment trajectories of men and women. Women not only receive less statutory pension, but their company and private pension provision is also affected.

The view of the future

Amidst these worrying numbers, it is clear that there is a need for action. Reform is necessary to improve women's retirement provision. The study proposes five main impulses to counteract this: First, women's participation in the labor market should be increased in order to relieve the burden on the pension system. A better balance between paid work and childcare also plays a central role. A partnership-based understanding of pension provision in households and more attractive company pensions could also contribute to improvement. Last but not least, you should save early for higher pensions.

Given the factorization and dependencies in the pension system, there are clear signs that the gap is not just a feminine issue but will benefit society as a whole if the situation is improved. The aim should be to ensure that retirement provision is fair and equitable for all genders so that no one gets into financial difficulties in old age.