The number of recipients of basic old-age security benefits has reached a new peak, according to the “Bild-Zeitung”, which reported on a response from the federal government to an inquiry submitted by AfD parliamentary member René Springer.
The data indicates that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, a total of 771,275 people had received these benefits. This represents a significant increase, jumping from 564,110 recipients at the end of 2020-an increase of 36.7 percent.
The increase in recipients from abroad has been particularly sharp. According to the government’s response, the figure rose from 152,320 at the end of 2020 to 279,275 in early 2026, marking an increase of 83.3 percent. Consequently, more than one in three recipients are now foreign nationals. Meanwhile, the number of German recipients also grew during this period, rising from 411,790 to 492,000, a 19.5 percent increase.
Expenditure related to basic old-age security has also risen substantially. The net spending increased from approximately 3.3 billion euros in 2020 to around 6.2 billion euros in 2025, as detailed in the government’s response cited by the “Bild-Zeitung”. In light of these trends, Springer is calling for higher access barriers and longer waiting periods for social benefits funded by taxes.
