The CDU Economic Council has again called for cuts to early retirement and the mothers’ pension to meet the challenges of demographic change. Secretary-General Wolfgang Steiger said Germany cannot afford “additional pension gifts.” He is demanding a “180-degree turnaround” in retirement policy.
Steiger stressed that costly benefits such as the basic pension and the pension at 63 should be abolished to stabilize the ratio between contributors and pension recipients in the long term. The statutory social insurance systems face enormous challenges due to the rising number of retirees.
The debate over pension reforms remains controversial as policymakers seek sustainable solutions for Germany’s future. Steiger warned that without reforms, social security contributions could rise to up to 50 percent by 2035, harming the economy.
Source: www.zeit.de
