Federal Minister of Social Affairs Bärbel Bas (SPD) has opted for one fundamental reform of the pension system pronounced. “I want a structural reform of pensions. It really takes courage – and I have that,” Bas told dem star. With regard to the recently appointed pension commission, she said: “I expect it to make a bold proposal and not just come with old ideas.”
What is needed is a “model where people have a higher pension at the end of a long working life and do not end up in basic security, even though they have paid in for many years,” said the minister. In addition, contributions must remain within limits.
Bas said she was curious to see how great the will to reform was in the Union and reiterated the officials’ considerations in the law Pension system to be included. However, CSU boss Markus Söder “has already said he won’t touch civil servants’ pensions,” said Bas. It can’t just be about “working until you’re 70 and getting rid of early retirement,” she criticized the coalition partner’s considerations.
Dispute over pensions led to coalition crisis
The Federal Government has in December a pension commission commissioned to develop proposals for a reform of old age security. This is expected to start work in January and present reform proposals by the end of June 2026. She should already be starting from the Federal Government follow the measures initiated.
The government had previously launched an initial reform package for the legal system pension decided. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) pushed through the adoption despite resistance in his own faction with the chancellor’s majority he demanded. In the Union faction it was mainly from younger MPs given clear criticismthe debate had led to a crisis in the coalition.
