The latest public sentiment toward abolishing the so‑called “Rente mit 63” remains weak. In a Forsa poll conducted for RTL and ntv, only 18 % of respondents said they would support ending the option to retire early after 45 years of contributions without a reduction. A decisive 78 % opposed the idea, a stance that has scarcely changed since the previous March survey (17 % in favour, 81 % against). Across both former East and West Germany the majority rejects abolition – 79 % in the new states and 78 % in the old ones. Among those still in work, 82 % are against a departure from the “Rente mit 63” model, while 72 % of current pensioners also oppose it. Political affiliation mirrors this trend: voters of the Left and the AfD show the strongest opposition (85 % and 84 % respectively), and even CDU/CSU followers are mostly against it, with 69 % opposed and 27 % in favour.
A further social policy proposal-shifting the cost of dental care entirely to patients, eliminating the statutory health insurance subsidy-faces almost universal rejection. Only 5 % of the population endorse the idea, whereas 92 % oppose it. Opposition is highest in the West (93 %) and also strong in the East (88 %). Across party lines the rejection is similarly clear: Left supporters (100 %) and those of the SPD (98 %) and Greens (97 %) almost unanimously oppose it; CDU/CSU backers oppose it 90 % of the time, and AfD voters 93 % of the time.
These figures are based on 1,009 respondents surveyed between February 6 and 9, 2026.
