Compulsory year for seniors: Criticism of Fratzscher's proposal

Social and senior citizen associations have criticized the possible introduction of a mandatory social year for pensioners. "For a change, we should recognize what older people in this country achieve, instead of making them feel like they're lazy and a burden on society," said Verena Bentele, president of the social association VdK, to the editorial network Germany. Previously, the president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, had called for such a year, saying that the older generation needed to "be more involved" in society. According to Bentele, many pensioners care for family members or look after grandchildren so that their parents can work. Others are involved in clubs and initiatives, thus acting in the spirit of a society based on solidarity. "There is no need for a mandatory social year," said Bentele.