In the ongoing debate surrounding the potential abolition of the “pension at 63,” Frank Werneke, the chairman of the Verdi union, has issued demands to the new Federal Minister of Labor, Alexander Schweitzer (SPD). According to Werneke, Schweitzer should put forward a draft law that does not involve raising the retirement age, guarantees a pension for those with 45 years of contributions, stabilizes and expands pension levels by at least 48 percent beyond 2031, and preserves the option of blocked flexible working time.
Werneke maintains that the early, tax-free pension scheme is financially feasible. He pointed out that the estimated ten billion euros that could be saved by scrapping the pension at 63 would translate to approximately 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points in pension contributions-a figure that is theoretically manageable. However, he cautioned that this should not lead to an immediate 0.1 percentage point hike in contributions. He stressed that current contribution forecasts already assume the continuation of the pension after 45 years of contributions, and polls consistently show overwhelming public support for maintaining the current system.
The union leader refuted the argument that this form of early retirement primarily benefits high-earning office workers, failing to reach the intended group of individuals who perform physically demanding labor. He contended that this claim is flawed because it assumes the early pension was only intended for a narrow demographic. Instead, he explained that it was introduced to acknowledge the lifetime of those who have worked long hours or taken periods for caregiving.
Werneke estimated that over 250,000 people per cohort are affected by this issue. For these individuals, the question of whether their long years of work are respected and valued holds profound personal significance. He noted the deep emotional difference between starting a career at age 16 versus delaying labor after completing academic education, a distinction that affects many people deeply.
