Senior Citizen Vanessa Continues to Work Despite Retirement at the Age of 85.
Working Past Retirement: partial financial freedom for some, a struggle for many
It's a reality for some retirees: staying in the workforce past their retirement age for financial reasons. In a raw, revealing documentary on ZDF, three such individuals share their experiences and the impact working late has on their lives.
Vanessa, 85, struggles to catch her breath after a day at work. She's technically retired, but finds herself providing foot care services or chair-dancing at a senior home for extra cash. Without this additional income, she admits that her finances wouldn't suffice.
"I'm frugal, but the money wouldn't last," she says in the ZDF docuseries "37°: Retirement? Not enough!". Her monthly income of 1,400 euros dwindles significantly after covering all expenses, leaving her with a mere 400 euros. "Retirement, that doesn't quite work," she concludes.
Sadly, Vanessa isn't alone. A growing number of retirees face the same predicament, with women particularly vulnerable to economic insecurity in their golden years. In the last five years, the number of retirees who continue to work has skyrocketed by 25 percent, reaching nearly 1.5 million. Shockingly, a quarter of the customers at German food banks are now of retirement age.
Surviving on a Limited Budget
One such person is Angelika, a 75-year-old volunteer at the food bank. Struggling to make ends meet, she has to pinch pennies while also taking on additional mini-jobs at a supermarket. Despite the physical strain, she continues to seek employment due to a limited income of 870 euros per month.
Both Vanessa and Angelika have devoted much of their lives to caring for their families, resulting in reduced pension contributions. Their financial hardship is further compounded by their divorces, leaving them without financial support from a partner.
Angelika's daughter currently cannot provide financial assistance, while Vanessa chooses to remain independent, refusing help from her family. "I want to remain independent for as long as possible, and no one likes to accept money," she explains.
Embracing Full-time Work at 71
Emi, 71, used to be self-employed but admits it was a mistake for not paying into the pension fund. Faced with financial hardship after a slipped disc, he now works full-time as a German teacher, earning 3,200 euros gross. "I never thought I'd end up here, working at 70 and as a teacher, at 40," he confesses. Yet, he finds satisfaction in his work: "Many people think working in old age is hard. I've been lucky not to have that experience."
Vanessa and Angelika, on the other hand, aren't as fortunate. When Vanessa's work slows down, she finds herself with no savings at the end of the month, while Angelika must relinquish her supermarket job, she says. Still, they maintain a positive outlook on the future. "I'm full of energy and anticipation," Angelika asserts confidently.
For Vanessa, work offers a sense of camaraderie: "Because I enjoy being with people," she explains, though she grapples with fears about her future.
"37°: Pension? Not enough!" airs on ZDF on Tuesday, June 3, at 10:15 PM. Despite the challenges faced by the featured individuals, they and millions of other retirees embody resilience and determination in the face of hardship.
Vanessa and Angelika, now working beyond traditional retirement age, find it necessary to supplement their pensions with jobs in the home-and-garden and lifestyle sectors, respectively, to make ends meet. With Vanessa offering foot care services, chair-dancing, and Angelika volunteering at a food bank and working part-time at a supermarket, they hope to maintain their independence and financial security.
