Günter Krings, the German CDU parliamentary group’s deputy chairman, has rejected the proposed model involving a tax-free pension after 45 years of contributions. Instead of assigning specific entitlements based on entire professional groups, Krings advocates for a case-by-case examination of eligibility.
Speaking to the news channel “Welt,” Krings pointed out that even the Pensions Commission’s own documentation suggested that earlier retirement should only be an option for individuals engaged in physically strenuous occupations. “This naturally means that a health check must be performed on a case-by-case basis. Justice must always be demonstrated individually, and I am very skeptical about exempting entire occupational groups,” the CDU politician stated. He affirmed his willingness to follow the commission’s recommendation for individual review, provided that this move does not lead to a general relaxation of retirement rules.
Furthermore, Krings argues that this type of tax-free pension must also be evaluated individually for financial reasons. He stresses that this is central to funding the capital-backed retirement element. The deputy stressed, “If we introduce changes to this central topic-changes to early retirement-we must be told where the money will come from that we cannot save, to build up this capital pension.”
Krings also stated that withdrawing the general provision for the tax-free pension does not diminish the trust protection afforded to long-term insured individuals. He maintains that this protection remains secure because the system includes pension points and a “relatively complicated, but calculable, entitlement.” He added that the measure dubbed the “Pension at 63” is merely an add-on-a system introduced outside standard actuarial calculations-and therefore is not based on considerations of fairness or the protection of subscriber trust.
