1 in 7 pensioners in Germany now holds a job after retirement
More retirees in Germany are working past age 65. New Destatis figures highlight how minijobs, part-time roles, and self-employment reshape German pensions.
According to new official figures from Germany's Federal Statistical Office, one in seven pensioners in the country held a job in 2025, marking a slight increase from the previous year. The majority of these working retirees, 73%, are dependent employees, typically working part-time or through minijobs earning up to €556 a month.
Self-employed retirees, accounting for 27% of working pensioners, often put in longer hours, with 28% logging more than 40 hours per week. Employment rates decline with age, down from 19% for those aged 65-66 to 8% for those aged 73-74. Factors such as education and gender influence who continues to work post-retirement, with higher-educated retirees three times more likely to stay employed compared to those with lower education levels.
Motivations for working into retirement include financial necessity, social connections, and enjoying one's work, as Germany grapples with labor shortages and debates over pension sustainability.
Written by urgent.news from IamExpat Germany (News)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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