Germany's pension system is facing significant pressure due to a rising old-age dependency ratio and increasing poverty among the elderly. As of February 2026, approximately 21.5 million people receive statutory pensions, a 3.2% increase over the past decade, with public sector pensioners also rising by 17.7%. The number of individuals aged 67 and above is projected to reach at least 20.5 million by the late 2030s, increasing their share of the population to up to 27%. The old-age dependency ratio, currently at 33, indicates that each working person supports nearly a third of a pensioner. This demographic shift, particularly pronounced in eastern German rural areas with a ratio of 42, strains pension fund revenues. Consequently, the poverty risk for those over 65 stands at 19.7%, with women disproportionately affected at 21.5%.