Retirement at 63: Bas Promises Protection for Those Affected

In the debate surrounding the reform of the pension system, Federal Social Affairs Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has once again expressed criticism of abolishing the so-called "retirement at 63." At the same time, she reaffirmed her support for the planned pension reform in the Bundestag. - AFP

In the debate over reforming Germany's pension system, Federal Social Affairs Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has once again spoken out critically against abolishing the so-called "retirement at 63". Speaking in the Bundestag debate on her ministry's budget on Friday, Bas said she wanted to tell people "who are currently afraid" that the pension for particularly long-serving employees will be abolished: "There will be protection of legitimate expectations, everyone can rely on that."

‍

Details of the Bill Still Undecided

A draft bill on pension reform is currently being prepared at the Federal Labour Ministry. Bas is committed in principle to the reform plans and to adopting the recommendations of the pension commission, but the exact shape of the draft bill remains open.

‍

Opposition From the SPD and Eastern CDU

There is resistance from within the SPD, and above all from eastern German CDU politicians, to the reform commission's recommendation to abolish the so-called "retirement at 63". When it was introduced, the scheme allowed people with at least 45 years of insurance contributions to retire at 63 without deductions. However, the age threshold is gradually rising to 65 and currently stands at around 64.5.

‍

Making the Welfare State Future-Proof

Bas stressed in the Bundestag that the welfare state must be made "fit for the coming decades", with the focus on the future of pensions. "And if we want to keep our promise that pensions will remain secure in the future and, above all, that young people will not be overburdened, then we need a reform." For this reason, she said, the black-red coalition must stick to implementing a pension reform in this legislative term. "Anything else will cost us dearly and lead to pension cuts and massively rising contributions."

‍

Labour Ministry Budget for 2027

In the draft budget for 2027, the Federal Labour Ministry has by far the largest individual budget, at 201.46 billion euros, up from 197.34 billion euros in the current year. By far the largest share of this is needed for pensions.

‍