47% of over-50s in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern want early retirement, DAK health report finds across northern Germany
A DAK-Gesundheit study of five federal states finds 42% to 53% of employees over 50 plan to leave work before the statutory retirement age, with poor health sharply increasing the likelihood.
A new health insurance report released on 17 July 2026 reveals a widespread desire among older employees across northern and western Germany to exit the workforce before reaching the statutory retirement age. The DAK-Gesundheitsreport "Arbeiten ab 50" (Working from 50), compiled by the IGES Institute with a representative Forsa survey, examined insured employees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Desire for early exit varies by state
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 47% of respondents aged 50 and above expressed a wish to retire early. Hamburg follows closely at 45%, Schleswig-Holstein at 42%, and North Rhine-Westphalia records the highest figure at 53% of over-50s planning to leave before the pension age. Across all age groups in NRW, 42% think about early exit, while 38% want to work until the legal limit and 9% plan to work beyond it. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern only 31% across all ages intend to work until the statutory retirement age, and 18% can imagine staying on beyond it.
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- 47 %
- Hamburg
- 45 %
- Schleswig-Holstein
- 42 %
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- 53 %
Health drives the decision
Health status emerges as the decisive factor in retirement timing. Among employees with poor or very poor health, 51% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern plan to retire before the legal age, rising to 59% in Schleswig-Holstein and 55% in Hamburg. Even among those with good or very good health, 37% in Schleswig-Holstein and 41% in Hamburg consider early retirement. The report also shows that older employees are absent less frequently but for longer stretches. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, over-50s recorded 180 sick notes per 100 insured persons in 2025, compared to 235 cases among under-50s, but their average absence lasted 17.7 days against 8.9 days for younger colleagues. In Hamburg the split is 164 cases lasting 14.5 days for over-50s versus 212 cases at 7.8 days for under-50s.
Sickness rates peak near retirement age
The sickness rate climbs with age across all surveyed regions. At 66, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern employees average an 11% sickness rate, while the over-50 average sits at 8.7%. In Schleswig-Holstein, 66-year-olds reach 10% against 7.2% for 50-year-olds. In Hamburg the rate at 66 hits 11%, nearly double the roughly 6% recorded among 50- to 53-year-olds. NRW peaks at 12% for 66-year-olds, double the rate for 50- to 53-year-olds, and sits at 7.7% across all over-50s (above the national average of 7.4%). By contrast, those still working beyond 67 in NRW show a sickness rate of just 4%.
Especially against the backdrop of demographic change, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to keep experienced employees healthy, motivated and capable of working.
What workers want to stay longer
The NRW survey asked employees what would need to change for them to work longer. Higher pay topped the list at 48%, followed by adapting working hours to personal needs (40%) and more appreciation for their work performance (39%).
The debate about a longer working life must not be reduced to the retirement age alone. The decisive question is how employees can work healthily, productively and with motivation into older age.
Openness to the new Aktivrente scheme
Despite the strong pull toward early retirement, substantial majorities across northern states show openness to the new Aktivrente model, which allows pensioners to earn tax-free supplementary income within limits. In Schleswig-Holstein 75% of over-50s are fundamentally open to it (31% can definitely imagine using it, 44% do not rule it out, and 25% firmly reject it). Hamburg records 73% openness (36% positive, 37% open, 26% reject). Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is more cautious at 57% openness (24% positive, 33% open, 43% reject).
- Over-50s in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern recorded 180 sick notes per 100 insured; under-50s recorded 235.
- DAK-Gesundheitsreport 'Arbeiten ab 50' published, covering MV, SH, HH and NRW.
DAK state heads across the regions stressed that extending working life requires investment in health. Cord-Eric Lubinski in Schleswig-Holstein said the conversation about longer working life must include employee health, calling for health-promoting working conditions, effective prevention and a culture of appreciation. In Hamburg, Jens Juncker argued that the discussion cannot focus solely on the statutory retirement age and that companies and policymakers share responsibility for creating conditions where older employees can remain healthy and motivated.
