Former Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) stated to the “Tagesspiegel” that he would not sign the legislative package comprising all 33 recommendations of the Pension Commission. Lindner clarified that he would not simply accept the commission’s findings. He particularly criticized the inclusion of the self-employed in the statutory pension system and the increase in pension contributions through the capital fund. The former FDP chairman argued that integrating the self-employed into the state pension scheme would not solve, but rather worsen, the demographic problem.
While his reservations noted that more money would enter the system in the short term, he pointed out that future liabilities would arise. Diverging from the perspective of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Minister of Labour Bärbel Bas (SPD), Lindner does not view the pension package as a “masterpiece.” Rather, he described it as a “good piece of work.”
In his view, the Age Security Commission’s proposal contains impulses for greater intergenerational fairness and sustainability, although it also includes certain setbacks. Lindner told the “Tagesspiegel” that he is curious to see how much of this will make it into the final political process. He expressed his hope for a successful outcome that results in a genuine pension reform, though this task does not appeal to him personally. He added that he is focusing on new, exciting challenges that meet his intellectual demands.
