Lower Saxony’s Minister-President, Olaf Lies (SPD), advocates for maintaining the option of retiring at age 63. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung,” Lies stated that for him, it is crucial to consider the life contributions of individuals. He argued that people who have worked and paid into the pension fund for 45 years should benefit from this option. The Social Democrat added that it violates people’s sense of justice if their life’s work is not adequately reflected in the pension system.
Despite some opposition from the various German federal states, Lies remains convinced that the core recommendations of the Pension Commission will be implemented. He acknowledged, however, that “it is also possible that in the coming decades everyone will have to work gradually longer.” He noted that many people are already forced to work longer days just to afford their daily lives.
The Lower Saxony Minister-President called on the federal government and the Länder to work together on solutions that sufficiently account for varied life paths and living conditions. He stressed that “there cannot be solutions based on a blanket approach.”
