Activation Rather Than Early Retirement? The Recalibration of the Policy Framework for Older Benefit Recipients as Part of the Bürgergeld-Reform

Abstract

"With the Bürgergeld Act, which came into force at the beginning of 2023, two key amendments were introduced for older recipients of basic income support for jobseekers. First, the obligation to claim an old-age pension early (§ 12a SGB II) was suspended until the end of 2026, thereby making it easier for recipients to remain on benefits beyond the age of 63. Second, the special provision of § 53a SGB II was abolished, under which older benefit recipients could, under certain conditions, be removed from the unemployment statistics. The article argues that these changes constitute an institutional recalibration of the policy approach towards older benefit recipients: while the pressure towards early retirement is reduced, the expectation of labour market integration is simultaneously strengthened. Drawing on administrative data from the Federal Employment Agency’s statistics and survey data from the IAB Jobcentre Panel, this article shows that exits from SGB II at age 63 have declined and that unemployment registrations among this age group have increased. However, there is so far no evidence of an actual improvement in labour market integration, pointing to structural limits of stronger activation of older benefit recipients within the framework of activation policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Duncker & Humblot) ((en))

Cite article

Lietzmann, T., Prümer, S. & Ramos Lobato, P. (2026): Aktivierung statt Frühverrentung? Die Neujustierung der Steuerungslogik gegenüber älteren Leistungsbeziehenden im Zuge der Bürgergeld-Reform. In: Sozialer Fortschritt, p. 1-23. DOI:10.3790/sfo.2026.1482201