# #FiscalPolicy in the news

October 2, 2026 at 09:37 AM

> Ministry Adjusts Deficit Forecast to 4.1 Percent · WIFO Head Proposes Raising Retirement Age to 67 · Five EU Nations Oppose Joint Debt for New Budget

[Ministry Adjusts Deficit Forecast to 4.1 Percent](<https://austriareport.com/article/ministry-adjusts-deficit-forecast-to-4-1-percent-be1ade61>)
*October 2, 2026 at 09:37 AM* - The Ministry of Finance revised its annual deficit forecast to 21.4 billion euros following an analysis of federal and state data.

[WIFO Head Proposes Raising Retirement Age to 67](<https://austriareport.com/article/wifo-head-proposes-raising-retirement-age-to-67-a74cbd04>)
*September 30, 2026 at 05:03 PM* - Gabriel Felbermayr calls for pension and care reforms to ensure fiscal stability as Austria faces a doubling of the elderly population.

[Five EU Nations Oppose Joint Debt for New Budget](<https://austriareport.com/article/five-eu-nations-oppose-joint-debt-for-new-budget-2451fe60>)
*September 18, 2026 at 11:48 AM* - Leaders from Austria, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands reject joint debt and call for significant EU budget spending cuts.