# AMS Chief Calls for Higher Austrian Retirement Age

October 11, 2026 at 09:37 AM

> Johannes Kopf advocates for pension reform and vocational training to address labor market challenges amid a three-year economic recession.

**Johannes Kopf**, head of the [Austrian Public Employment Service](<https://austriareport.com/entity/public-employment-service-q1690950>) (AMS), advocated for an increase in the retirement age during a recent appearance on the [ORF](<https://austriareport.com/entity/orf-broadcaster-q262386>) program 'Pressestunde.' He noted that the female retirement age is already rising to 65 by 2033.

Data shows 88 percent of the labor force potential from this reform entered employment, with 58,000 more women over 60 working. Kopf also addressed AI, stating no major labor market shifts have occurred yet, and recommended vocational apprenticeships.

Despite three years of recession, Kopf highlighted issues with job seeker sanctions and apprenticeship shortages in [Vienna](<https://austriareport.com/entity/vienna-q1741>). He proposed 'Apprenticeship after [Matura](<https://austriareport.com/entity/matura-q694222>)' to help the one-third of job seekers who have been looking for work for over a year now.


[#Austria](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/austria>) #AMS #RetirementAge [#LaborMarket](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/labormarket>) [#Apprenticeships](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/apprenticeships>)

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