Call for Action to Alleviate Elderly Poverty in Burgenland (FPÖ)
The FPÖ Burgenland pushes for measures against senior poverty, with a particular focus on addressing this issue among women. FPÖ chairman Norbert Hofer argues that financial disadvantage starts long before retirement, due to factors like low pensions.
Top Wines of Burgenland 2023: Expect great things from winemakers in this region!
In response to these calls, the Freedom Party advocates for longer credit for childcare, individual basic security, scrapping household logic, and eliminating health insurance contributions on widows’ pensions.
Staggering statistics show that 180,000 women over 65 in Austria are at risk of poverty—20% of the age group. Hofer points out an issue with the compensatory allowance for the minimum pension, which is often unattainable for married women due to their partner's income being taken into account.
In Burgenland, an elderly caregiver, despite ten years of experience, only earns 50 euros more than a cleaning worker in state service due to the minimum wage. However, Hofer appreciates the employment of caregivers in the state.
The SPÖ, however, dismisses the FPÖ's demands as "unbelievable." SPÖ chairman Roland Fürst insists that social policy in Burgenland is effective, as indicated by its low poverty rate compared to other provinces.
"Women deserve a pension high enough to avoid senior poverty," Hofer asserts. Deputy Michaela Brandlhofer expresses concern about the planned increase in health insurance contributions for widows’ pensions and advocates for their abolition.
Burgenland's low GDP per capita (90% of EU27 average) and specific demographic characteristics create challenges related to senior poverty, especially among women who often face lower lifetime earnings and pensions. To address these challenges, efforts should be made to strengthen pension systems, promote female employment, enhance access to affordable energy and services, and support regional economic development.
- The regional focus on senior poverty in Burgenland extends to the discussion of appropriate pensions for women, as FPÖ chairman Norbert Hofer insists, "Women deserve a pension high enough to avoid senior poverty."
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, Deputy Michaela Brandlhofer raises concerns about the planned increase in health insurance contributions for widows’ pensions and advocates for their abolition.
- Aware of the challenges posed by senior poverty, particularly among women, efforts should be directed towards fortifying pension systems, promoting female employment, and ensuring access to affordable energy and services in Burgenland.
- Aside from senior poverty, general-news topics such as politics, finance, and even sports and science are widely discussed in Burgenland, with Burgenland's winemakers, for instance, promising another outstanding year in wine production, as showcased in the Top Wines of Burgenland 2023.
