Pensioner fights against poverty in old age: showering in the gym as a savings measure!

Pensioner fights against poverty in old age: showering in the gym as a savings measure!

More and more pensioners in Europe are struggling with significant financial difficulties. A striking example is 66-year-old Shirley Bowen from Great Britain. Despite her monthly pension of around €2,000 (£1,700), she has taken steps to reduce her expenses. She showers at the gym to save water, which shows how much pressure there is on many pensioners who have to make do on a limited budget. Focus Reports that Bowen, who previously worked in public service, has optimized her spending through conscious financial decisions and the use of energy-efficient kitchen appliances.

Bowen is not alone. Her story is an example of a growing problem: poverty in old age is on the rise across Europe. In Germany, more and more seniors are living on the subsistence level. The current data shows that in June 2024, 728,990 people will already be receiving basic old-age benefits - an increase of 37,000 compared to the previous year. The number of basic security recipients has increased by 39 percent since 2015 Citizen's money shows.

Financial strategies as a necessity

Shirley Bowen has developed several strategies to minimize her financial burdens. Meal planning is one of their methods to avoid food waste. She plans her meals carefully and avoids expensive leisure activities such as going to restaurants. These practical approaches are now unavoidable for many pensioners, as the at-risk-of-poverty rate among seniors in Germany was already 18.1 percent in 2023. Women are particularly hit harder: here the rate is 20.2 percent.

Regional differences further exacerbate the situation. In Bavaria, 21.4 percent of people over 65 are affected by poverty. This social challenge requires urgent action. The number of unreported cases of poverty in old age could be even higher, as many seniors are hesitant to take advantage of the services they need. This is exacerbated by demographic developments, low wages and increasing life expectancy.

Future outlook and possible solutions

Bowen not only calls for the state pension's annual adjustment to inflation to be maintained, but also highlights the need for comprehensive reforms to the pension system. Over 3.2 million seniors in Germany are now at risk of poverty, and almost a third of pensioners with 40 years of insurance receive less than 1,250 euros per month. Demands for a solidarity-based minimum pension of 1,250 euros and a reform of the statutory pension insurance are pushing their way onto the agenda.

Given current developments, it is essential that social solutions are found to support retirees like Shirley Bowen and many others. Because a future without poverty in old age requires more than just individual strategies - it requires political decisions and social solidarity.