Schaeffler Expands German Workforce Transition Programme With Partial Retirement Options

Schaeffler Expands German Workforce Transition Programme With Partial Retirement Options

(IN BRIEF) Schaeffler AG is expanding its partial retirement offer in Germany after seeing strong interest from employees. The programme includes flexible block models with active and passive work phases, ranging from two years to eight years, depending on location and staffing requirements. Schaeffler expects around 1,300 employees, or approximately 20 percent of employees born in the relevant years up to and including 1971, to accept the offer. The expanded programme is expected to create a one-off expense of around €51 million in 2026, with a favourable financial impact beginning in 2027.

(PRESS RELEASE) HERZOGENAURACH, 5-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Schaeffler AG is expanding its offer of partial retirement arrangements in Germany following strong interest from employees.

The decision was taken by the company’s Board of Managing Directors and forms part of Schaeffler’s wider efforts to adjust cost structures at its German locations and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.

The expanded programme provides additional partial retirement options with flexible models designed to address both employee preferences and business requirements.

Schaeffler said partial retirement contracts had already attracted high demand during the implementation of structural measures announced in November 2024.

The new offer has been agreed with the Group Works Council.

It is structured around block models consisting of an active working phase followed by a passive phase.

Participation requires approval from both the employee and the relevant supervisor.

The partial retirement models vary depending on location and staffing requirements.

They provide for terms ranging from two years, comprising one active year and one passive year, to eight years, comprising four active years and four passive years.

The arrangements largely correspond to those offered as part of the structural measures announced in November 2024.

Dr. Astrid Fontaine, Chief Human Resources Officer of Schaeffler AG, said the company is responding to the high level of interest among employees by offering partial retirement arrangements that create flexible solutions.

She said the models are intended to meet individual needs while also addressing the requirements of the company.

Schaeffler expects that approximately 20 percent of employees born in the relevant years up to and including 1971 will accept the offer.

This corresponds to around 1,300 employees in direct and indirect areas.

Based on this expected acceptance rate, implementation of the expanded offer will result in a one-off expense of approximately €51 million.

The amount will be recognised as a special item in 2026.

The resulting favourable financial impact is expected to begin in 2027.

Schaeffler said the expansion of partial retirement arrangements adds to the company’s options for supporting individual and predictable transitions into retirement.

At the same time, the programme is expected to contribute to a balanced, long-term development of the age structure of Schaeffler’s workforce.

The company said the measure reflects its commitment to responsible and cooperative human resources management in dialogue with employee representatives.

Schaeffler also noted that the press release contains forward-looking statements.

Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

The company said these risks, uncertainties and assumptions could affect the outcome and financial consequences of the plans and events described.

Schaeffler stated that no obligation is undertaken to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments.

The company also cautioned that statements regarding past trends or events should not be treated as a representation that such trends or events will continue in the future.

Through the expanded partial retirement programme, Schaeffler is combining workforce transition planning with cost-structure measures at its German locations, while seeking to support employees approaching retirement through flexible and predictable arrangements.

Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion: The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for 80 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance  systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world’s largest family-owned companies and one of Germany’s most innovative companies.