Despite increasing poverty in old age
Tens of thousands of pensioners forego supplementary benefits
Many poorer old people do not get any help from the state – although they are entitled to supplementary benefits, writes the “Observer”.
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Poverty in old age is increasing in Switzerland. In the photo an older woman in the sale in Lucerne. (icon picture)
Andrea Haefely («Observer»)
A fifth of the Swiss population over the age of 65 is affected or at risk of poverty. This is the conclusion of the current age monitor of the Pro Senectute Foundation.
The precarious living situation of the senior citizens is due, among other things, to the fact that they have not applied for supplementary benefits (EL), says Peter Burri from Pro Senectute. “We are assuming that there are several tens of thousands of people who do not receive any supplementary benefits, although they are entitled to them.” It is likely to be largely older people who do not live in a retirement home. Because in the case of retirement and nursing home residents, one can assume that, in case of doubt, EL will be applied for.
Women are twice as likely to be affected
According to the study, 46,000 older people are considered poor – i.e. 3.1 percent of the Swiss population over 65. The limit is assets below 30,000 francs and a monthly income of 2,279 francs, which corresponds to the subsistence level. In addition, these people do not own their own home, so they live in a rented apartment.
Old-age poverty affects women almost twice as much as men. This is due to the gender-specific distribution of roles: the man went to work and increased his retirement savings, while the woman stayed at home for large stretches of her life, which led to corresponding gaps in her old-age provision. Other risk factors are: having a low level of education, not being married or being a foreigner.
Poverty-affected pensioners often live in rural areas without supplementary benefits. There may also be socio-cultural reasons for this. “In small, rural communities, people know each other and are ashamed to receive financial support from the public sector,” write the authors of the study.
Article from the «Observer»
This article was taken from the magazine “Observer”. You can find more exciting articles at www.bewachter.ch.
This article was taken from the magazine “Observer”. You can find more exciting articles at www.bewachter.ch.