The Federal Minister of Labor, Bärbel Bas, has firmly rejected any proposals to reduce the level of state pensions. Speaking on Wednesday in the ZDF Morgenmagazin, Minister Bas emphasized the commitment to ensuring the financial security of those who have contributed to the nation’s development throughout their working lives. She stated it was vital that individuals, after a lifetime of labor, could maintain a sustainable standard of living during their retirement.
Government initiatives are currently being developed to secure the future viability of the pension system. These include the introduction of an “active pension” and a “early start pension” scheme, designed to bolster retirement income and flexibility. Strengthening company pension schemes, or “betriebsrente” also remains a key priority, particularly addressing the disparity seen in eastern Germany, where 74% of residents rely solely on the statutory pension, lacking the supplementary income of a company-sponsored pension fund.
Furthermore, Minister Bas outlined plans to lift the existing “prior employment ban” potentially enabling individuals to continue working for their former employers after beginning to receive their pensions. While recognizing the option of extended working hours currently exists, she cautioned against mandates requiring work until the age of 70, stressing that such measures could effectively constitute a pension reduction for many.