Society: DIW boss demands mandatory social year for pensioners

The economist Marcel Fratzscher calls for a mandatory social year for all pensioners. The President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) told the “Spiegel”: “Some will not be able to do this, but there are also regulations for young people. The older generation has to contribute more, for example in the social sector, but also in defense.” Technical skills would be needed. “Why shouldn’t we use them, especially by people who were previously trained in the Bundeswehr?”

Fratzscher demands more solidarity from older generation

Fratzscher continued: “We need more solidarity of the old ones with the boys.” The economist campaigned for a new generation contract.

When asked what the older one accuses the older one, Fratzscher said: “Too much ignorance, self -centeredness and naivety. We don’t want to see the reality for too long. After the end of the Cold War, we never thought that we would never have to defend ourselves – and have crashed the peace dividend. Therefore, we now have to speak over five percent of defense spending to fix the damage that has occurred in 35 years. The climate policy.

The “baby boomers” also got far too few children. “In the 1960s, six contributors provided a pensioner,” said Fratzscher. “Soon there will be only two. Why should the boys only stand for these life decisions of the baby boomers? The load for the young generation must remain sustainable.

In July, the sociologist and generational researcher Klaus Hurrelmann (81) had already spoken out for a social mandatory service for seniors “at the end of their working life”, as he told the “Spiegel”. Social tasks such as strengthening defense ability should be carried by all generations.

Another explosive DIW proposal

Fratzscher’s advance for a mandatory social year for all pensioners could once again come across broad protests – like another proposal of the DIW from mid -July. The institute campaigned for a “Boomer Soli”, a special solidarity tax on all age income. This could be an important building block to stabilize the pension system in Germany.

According to the DIW’s proposal, the levy would specifically ask people with high age income “moderately” to checkout. Low -income pensioners could be supported in this way that the risk of poverty in old age could be reduced.