Raising the retirement age
Barel, M.
Harefuah 151(9): 520
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 23367744 Document Number: 656697
Social legislation is an essential hallmark of a welfare state. A few years ago many countries in Europe were proud of the extent and depth of their social welfare policy, but, in the shadow of the continuing economic crisis during recent years, as part of other measures, they were obliged to rehabilitate the situation to cut social legislation. The retirement age is slowly rising, possibly climbing back to the age of 70, the age prescribed by Bismarck. It took a century for European Leaders to realize that the "ideal" age to retire is 70. Bismarck's social legislation related well in anticipation of the future, a prescient sage. However, he was unable to guard his political position. He was forced to resign and retire from the political scene after a quarrel with Wilhelm II who approached the Social Democrats. So what he tried to do throughout those years was to oust the Social Democrats from the law. Finally the tables turned as he was forced to resign. Our Sages--our ancestors quoted: "Because you drowned others, they drowned you; and those that drowned you will eventually be drowned", Ethics of the Fathers (Mishnah Pirkei Avot, 2, 7).