Discussion on the escalating hardships faced by the elderly population in Saarland
In the heart of Saarbrücken, on September 17, 2025, the Saarland Poverty Conference (SAK) will host an event titled "The Forgotten Generation" at Salon Rosa, Futterstraße 17-19. This timely discussion, moderated by Michael Leinenbach, Chairman of the SAK, aims to shed light on the growing issue of elderly poverty in Germany.
The event will bring together a panel of experts, including Holger Simon, who serves as the manager of the SAK Talk and is affiliated with the Verein für Sozialpsychiatrie. Other participants include Christine Steimer from KAB / Momentum, Patricia Delu from Mehrgenerationenhaus Homburg (AWO Saarland), and Steffi Durst from OSSE Saarlouis (Caritasverband Saar Hochwald). The identities of other participants are not specified.
The focus of the discussion will be on the current figures from the Federal Statistical Office and the Poverty Report of Parität, providing a comprehensive insight into the state of elderly poverty in Germany.
The growing elderly poverty in Germany is marked by a significant rise in pensioners relying on welfare, with 742,000 pensioners dependent on social welfare (Grundsicherung) as of mid-2025, representing a 32% increase since 2020. Approximately 5.7 million elderly people are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, according to recent reports.
One of the key challenges is the living realities of the elderly population. More than one in three Germans aged 65 and over live alone, with this proportion increasing to 56% among those aged 85 and older. This solo living is associated with higher vulnerability to poverty, with 29% of solo residents at risk compared to the general population.
The increasing number of elderly people falling into poverty is an alarming societal development, according to the SAK. The event will delve into the social and economic pressures on the pension system, exploring potential solutions as Germany faces challenges in funding its aging population's pensions due to demographic shifts and increased longevity.
The discussion is a collaboration between the Saarland Poverty Conference (SAK) e.V., the German Professional Association for Social Work (DBSH) e.V. State Association Saar, the Association of Professionals in Social Work (VPSA) e.V., and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Saarland. The event will commence at 5:40 PM.
1) The panel of experts at the Saarland Poverty Conference (SAK)'s event, "The Forgotten Generation," will discuss the rising issue of women's health and aging, considering that more than 5.7 million elderly citizens are at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
2) In partnership with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Saarland, the discussion will also cover men's health and aging, as evidenced by the significant rise in pensioners relying on welfare, with 742,000 pensioners dependent on social welfare as of mid-2025.
3) Holger Simon, the manager of SAK Talk and affiliated with the Verein für Sozialpsychiatrie, will focus on the links between science, health-and-wellness, and the challenges posed by the growing elderly poverty in Germany, particularly the social and economic pressures on the pension system.
