Austrian minister slates higher retirement age

Austrian social affairs minister Ursula Haubner denied that an increase in retirement age would be a priority in a forthcoming social protection report to be issued by the presidency to member states later this year.

Raising the pension age is not the way to achieve a sustainable pension system. Other options must be contemplated. Europe’s social dimension is more diverse,” said Haubner.

A spokesman for the minister said alternatives likely to be considered during a pending evaluation of Austrian pension reform in 2007 could include the rate of contributions, pension account interests, pension revaluation and federal contributions. However he added that a consideration of the retirement age was certain to take place.

Haubner was speaking ahead of a conference in Austria last week, at which potential pan-European social protection measures were discussed.

 

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