SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch stated that he does not rule out increasing contributory payments further in order to ensure the continued financing of the pension that allows for an unreduced retirement after 45 years of contributions. Speaking to the news portal T-Online, he noted that the commission itself proposes moderate increases in payments to build up a new capital stock. He stressed that ultimately, the goal is a balanced overall structure, one that makes people feel that the system is fair.
Miersch went on to suggest that experts who argue for the abolition of the “retirement at 63” are overestimating the required sums. He expressed skepticism regarding the constant claims that each pension year costs 10 billion euros. “There are other calculations that arrive at different sums,” he said, although he did not specify what those figures were. When asked whether economists had potentially miscalculated, he added that while he was not a member of the pension commission, these questions must now be clarified within the political framework.
Refusing to speculate on exactly how future pension types should be financed, Miersch maintained that they are currently undergoing negotiations, opening up many possibilities. When asked if the only options were austerity measures, higher taxes, or increased contributions, he replied that these are three defined options, each containing a complex set of variables. He insisted that these must be discussed scientifically with the coalition partner, rather than being debated in the media.
The SPD politician emphasized his demand to keep the unreduced pension, even though the commission had recommended its abolition. While expressing great respect for the experts, Miersch argued, “As politicians, we must also take social questions into account.” He stressed that recognizing an individual’s life achievements touches upon the public sense of justice. He indicated this sentiment is heard everywhere across the country, whether at information stands, in citizen dialogues, or in polls. Miersch concluded that such a fundamental reform requires broad societal acceptance, a factor that cannot be ignored.
