Ralf Stegner of the SPD has questioned the consensus among the Bundestag for the current “black-red” pension package. Stegner stated in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” that the option to retire without penalties after 45 years of contributions “is a matter of respect and solidarity.”
According to Stegner, a coalition majority will only be achievable if a proper compromise is found, noting that otherwise the proposal has no chance of passing. The SPD politician recalled that the previous regulation was, “as is widely known, a social democratic invention,” and called on the Union party to seek accommodations regarding the “pension at 63” proposal.
Stegner concluded by stating that if the Union leaders themselves wish to receive this benefit, there must be a path found that allows workers with significantly above-average professional backgrounds and very long contribution histories to retire freely from deductions.
