Austrians should work longer – until they are 67, suggests the Neos boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger before. Tyrol’s state governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) advocates 45 years of work before retirement. Anyone who studies could work until they are 70 or longer. The debate is not new. Employee representatives as well as the SPÖ, FPÖ and the Greens have so far opposed raising the standard retirement age. Numerous economists and business representatives such as the Industrial Association have been speaking out in favor of this for years. Even head of the senior citizens’ association Ingrid Korosec is now ready to talk.
Why? Because the Life expectancy has increased, the average workforce is getting older (by 2040, according to Statistics Austria, 26.7 percent of the Austrian population will be 65 years and older) and the current one Pensionsmodell could become too expensive for the state. From 2030 onwards, 630 million euros will be missing from pensions, according to calculations by the economically liberal think tank Agenda Austria, among others. But how realistic is it that Austrians will work longer and are companies actually ready for this? The 5 most important questions and answers.
1) Retired at 65: Where does Austria stand?
The Normal retirement age in Austria is at 65 years (Women will be gradually raised to 65 years by 2033). The actual retirement age lies underneath. In 2025, men went with them 62,4women with 60,7 years in retirement. But the trend is clearly increasing.
In a European comparison, Austria is in the middle field. According to the OECD, on average Europeans go along with it 63.6 years (women) or 64.7 years (men) in pension (data from 2024). Deutschland has already reached the starting age 67 raised – for all years from 1964 onwards. In Denmark Anyone born after 1971 must do so by 70th year of age work. It is the highest entry age in Europe to date.
2) What is the job market like for older workers?
People over 50 already make up over 30 percent of all employees, and almost five percent are 60 and older, according to the Ministry of Labor’s current employment monitoring for older people. Despite the general increase in employment in this group, returning to the labor market after losing a job is often difficult, it is said. The unemployment rate increases with increasing age.
In July 2026, 94,787 older people (50+) were registered as unemployed with the AMS. For women in particular, the increase in retirement age has resulted in an increase in employment, but also a significant increase in unemployment (plus 4.8 percent compared to the previous month).
3) Are older people discriminated against at work?
Although longer working hours are required, the reality in companies is often different. This is shown by numerous requests to speak on a social media post by the trade union federation. “If you’re over 40, you’re considered too old for most employers,” writes one person. “At 52 I can’t even get a response to applications anymore, but now I’m supposed to work until I’m 70?!” writes another. An AMS study from 2023 showed that twelve percent of applications from people over 50 are treated unequally due to age.
The trade union federation emphasizes that one in four people does not have a valid employment relationship, but rather Sick leave or from the unemployment retires. In addition, 30 percent of medium-sized and large companies do not employ a single person aged 60 or over. The Ministry of Labor’s monitoring report also shows worrying figures: only 47 percent of companies employ employees aged 55 and over. Some recruiters place because of the shortage of skilled workers However, a rethink among employers.
4) Is there support for older people at work?
The federal government has launched a number of initiatives to keep people in jobs longer. Among other things the Active pension – a financial incentive for those who voluntarily continue working after retirement age (if the company agrees). The Partial retirement (gradually slide into retirement) through the new model Teilpension (work less and already receive part of the pension). Interest in partial pensions has so far been low: 313 people submitted an application in the first half of the year.
With the 50+ employment initiative, the AMS has also had 165 million euros available annually since 2018 for the integration of older people into the labor market.
5) Working until you are 70 – but how and where?
Since the job market for older workers is tight, many are becoming independent and going into the workforce Independence. According to the Chamber of Commerce, a fifth of all new businesses are started by people aged 50 and over. The group is said to be growing from strength to strength.
The desire to earn additional income in retirement has also increased significantly. This can be seen in the case of one-person companies (EPU). 19 percent of the EPU are so-called Silverpreneure – i.e. self-employed people who already receive a pension in addition to their work. Ten years ago the proportion was six percent.