In the ongoing debate regarding the abolition of the “pension at 63,” Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has expressed openness to a transition period of approximately five years. Bas, and the SPD’s head of the Funke media group, stated that sufficient transition time and protection for public trust are necessary for people to adjust their life plans. This five-year timeframe was also cited by Constanze Janda, the chair of the pension commission, a detail Bas added offers crucial guidance, suggesting the government supports employees and companies as they undergo transformation.
Meanwhile, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) insists on abolishing the “pension at 63,” despite opposition from several CDU state premiers. Bas suggested that the Union must “sort itself out,” reminding the public that the SPD originally introduced the “pension at 63.” While she maintained that the SPD would not unconditionally accept the preservation of the measure if the Union insists on retaining it, she cautioned that if it remains, “it will cost something-and everyone must understand that.”
Bas also warned against picking apart the recommendations of the pension commission. “My greater concern is that we end up doing no reform at all if individual suggestions are isolated and debated,” she warned. She emphasized that inaction would lead to rising contributions while pension levels simultaneously decreased, a scenario she believes is detrimental to both the young and the old. Her goal is to ensure the establishment of a sustainable, forward-looking pension system.
The commission proposed 33 measures designed to make pensions sustainable for all generations, acknowledging that this is a complex task. Most of these proposals are slated to be presented in the autumn, including improvements to sickness benefits and the introduction of a new disability pension. Furthermore, the strengthening of the statutory pension through additional, profitably invested contributions is expected to occur in early 2027.
A key recommendation highlighted by the commission is that individuals who have worked for a long time but can no longer work due to health reasons could stop working two years earlier without penalty. Bas noted that this important proposal has not received sufficient focus in the discussion so far. The commission will also further improve sickness benefits and strengthen prevention and rehabilitation services. This would ensure that those who are unable to work can continue without deductions for an additional two years. Crucially, Bas stressed that adequate transition periods and public trust protection are required to allow citizens to adapt their personal life strategies.
