Ahead of a social partner dialogue aimed at strengthening company pension schemes (bAV), Oliver Zander, CEO of Gesamtmetall, called for improved frameworks. Speaking to newspapers of the Funke media group, he stated that the schemes must be designed so attractively that both employers and employees are voluntarily able to reach an agreement on pension promises. According to the head of the employers’ association, both the contributions and subsequent payouts of company pensions should be free from tax and contributions.
Zander explained that the goal is to organize the highest possible company pensions through the most attractive possible capital investment. He stressed that drawing on this tax- and contribution-free pension should be reserved exclusively for the social partner model. He added that a pure contribution promise allows for maximum freedom in capital investment compared to all other types of promises, facilitating comprehensive investments in the capital market. Furthermore, he asserted that employers must only be involved when a pure contribution promise is utilized, emphasizing the principle of collective agreement (Tarifvorbehalt).
Christoph Ahlhaus, the Federal Director of the small and medium-sized enterprises association BVMW, also demanded better legislation and offerings. He argued that for company pensions to become widespread, they must be significantly more attractive for both employees and employers-meaning they must be more transparent, less bureaucratic, and more flexible. Ahlhaus insisted that legislators must ensure that company pensions can be “taken with” employees when they change jobs. This would require waiving employer liability for payouts and eliminating the guarantee obligations for insurers.
The Federal Ministry of Labor recently sent out invitations for the start of the social partner dialogue. Participants are requested to submit their opinions by September 17th. The kick-off event is scheduled to take place in Berlin on October 8th.
