A study reveals the professions in which Germans rarely reach retirement age
Many Germans retire before the official age of 67, with the average retirement age being around 64.4 years, meaning that most workers leave the labor market before the legal limit, often due to physically demanding jobs or high stress.
A recent study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) shows that only about 40% of new retirees in 2024 worked until the legal retirement age, while the majority retired early, sometimes with significant reductions in their pension.
The retirement age varies significantly between professions. Jobs with high physical stress, shift work, and constant tension, such as security, cleaning, trade, and some manufacturing sectors, often force employees to leave the workforce before the planned time.
Working conditions, occupational stress, and interrupted career paths are key factors that determine whether employees can reach the legal retirement age. Additionally, low wages combined with physically demanding work increase the likelihood of early retirement.
Germany is preparing for further pension reforms. A new federal committee, comprising political and scientific representatives, is expected to present its proposals by mid-2026 to address these challenges, aiming to better align pension policies with the realities of workers' lives.