The pension system needs to be reformed. The FDP recently called for pensions to end at 63. The Chancellor doesn’t think that’s the right way.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has rejected calls for later retirement. “For me, it is a question of decency not to deny those who have worked for a long time the retirement they deserve,” said Scholz in a video message for Labor Day published on Wednesday. Employees in Germany would have worked more hours in 2023 than ever before. “That’s why it annoys me when some people talk disparagingly about ‘Germany’s theme park’ – or when people call for raising the retirement age.”
Scholz warned of uncertainty due to new debates about the retirement age. “Even younger people who are at the beginning of their working lives have the right to know how long they have to work,” he said.
FDP calls for abolition of pensions at 63
Scholz did not explicitly name the recipient of his criticism. However, at the federal party conference at the weekend, the coalition partner FDP called for the abolition of pensions at 63 for those with long-term insurance – and thus angered the government partners SPD and the Greens.
Scholz viewed the introduction of the minimum wage nine years ago – and its increase to twelve euros per hour by his government – as a “great success”. “The proportion of poorly paid jobs in our country has shrunk as a result,” said Scholz.
However, he is of the opinion that there are still too many people “who work hard for too little money,” said the Chancellor. That is why there is additional support through housing benefit, child allowance and the reduction of social security contributions for low earners.
Scholz: Work is more than making money
The Chancellor was pleased with the current high collective bargaining agreements. “Good collective bargaining agreements also ensure that many employees finally have more money in their pockets again,” he said. “Experts are even predicting a particularly big increase for us this year: an average of around five percent in wages.”
“We won’t run out of work in the coming years,” said Scholz. “On the contrary! We need more workers.” That’s why his government is ensuring “that those who fled to us from Russia’s war in Ukraine get work more quickly.” Work means “more than making money,” said Scholz. “Work also means: belonging, having colleagues, experiencing recognition and appreciation.”
