Annika Klose, the SPD politician focused on pension policy, has called for the swift inclusion of members of parliament (MPs), new self-employed workers, and board members of corporations into the statutory pension insurance system. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday, Klose stated the goal is a retirement insurance system that eventually encompasses all working individuals. She added that civil servants should also be included in the long term.
According to Klose, broadening the funding base for the statutory pension insurance would strengthen the system, allowing for reduced contributions while simultaneously raising the overall retirement level. Furthermore, she emphasized that this is a matter of fairness: “It is a question of justice that people who run our country every day equally should not have a completely different level of security in old age,” said the SPD parliamentary group’s spokesman for pensions and social policy.
The politician emphasized that mandatorily including MPs, new freelancers, and corporate board members in the statutory pension system is legally straightforward and can be implemented in a timely manner. She specified that for those in parliament, this could happen at the beginning of the next legislative period, given her prior involvement in the pension commission.
However, Klose noted that the legal situation regarding civil servants is more complex. Therefore, the Age Security Commission recommended that initial reforms should be translated into the civil servants’ pension provisions with equivalent effect. While civil servants are intended to be included in the working population insurance system in the future, the path is more intricate.
In summary, Klose stressed the urgent need for a pension system that is more solidary, fairer, and future-proof. Expanding the number of contributors is a crucial step toward achieving this goal. This call was also supported by SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil, who had previously advocated for the inclusion of civil servants.
