PRESS STATEMENT Pensions: “We Need a Stable Level in the Long Term”

This pension package can only be a first step toward secure and fair pensions in the long term. The approved extension of the “halt line” prevents a rapid decline in pension levels. This benefits not only the baby boomer generation but also younger people. As early as 2031, future pensions are at risk of a sharp decline. If the Junge Union group has its way, further benefit cuts await with the threatened second pension package. We need long-term stabilization of pension levels; otherwise, the pension gap will widen. Expensive, risky, and one-sidedly funded financial products cannot and must not be the solution. The SPD must be careful not to squander everything again in the Pension Commission and allow today’s pension package to be reversed.

In the wake of the turmoil surrounding pension levels, the federal government is planning an attack on collective bargaining autonomy regarding occupational pensions. It wants to push through the so-called “social partner model” despite low acceptance among the social partners. In doing so, the government is threatening to impose occupational pensions on the country’s collective bargaining parties—against their will and bypassing collective bargaining agreements—without guarantees for employees and without employer liability. We cannot and will not accept such an attack on collective bargaining autonomy. We expect a Social Democratic labor minister to stand firm on workers’ and union rights.

Further information and press photos of Hans-Jürgen Urban