Germany: SPD disagrees over abolition of pension at 63
Updated 3 months ago3 new reports, including DER SPIEGEL, WELT, DIE ZEIT.
The short version
The German government plans to abolish the abort-free pension at the age of 63. There is resistance to this within the SPD and among the prime ministers of several federal states. The reform would mainly affect employees with long periods of insurance.
The Federal Government plans to abolish the deduction-free pension at the age of 63, which is possible after 45 years of contributions.5,6,7 Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) defended the scheme, arguing that those who had worked for 45 years had to benefit from it.2 Lies described the planned abolition as a question of fairness towards employees with long periods of insurance.2
The parliamentary managing director of the SPD, Wiese, spoke out in favour of hardship exceptions, for example for employees working shifts or in road construction.5 Seven heads of state protested against the planned abolition of the pension at the age of 63.6 In particular, East German Prime Ministers such as Michael Kretschmer (CDU), Sven Schulze (CDU) and Mario Voigt (CDU) rebelled against the reform.7
The CDU prime ministers had previously taken a different position on retirement at 63 before now speaking out against it.7 Manuela Schwesig (SPD), Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, announced that she would also like to promise young professionals a discount-free retirement after 45 years.4 Schwesig justified her position with a focus on future career biographies and the recognition of work achievements.4
In East Germany, opposition to the planned abolition of pensions is growing particularly strongly at 63.1 The planned reform triggers debates about the recognition of life performance and working conditions.3,1
“Anyone who has worked for 45 years must benefit from this. This is a question of justice.”
Why it matters
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