Social Insurance: Pension Reform: 46 Top Economists Issue Clear Warning to the Federal Government
Rarely have leading scientists agreed so much. 46 of them consider the unbundling of the pension package to be a mistake - and explain why in an appeal that is available to the Handelsblatt.
In a rare display of unity, 46 prominent economists have issued a clear warning to the German federal government regarding the planned retirement package. The letter, exclusively obtained by the Handelsblatt, boldly states that the entire package is required to effectively address the challenges posed by the demographic transition.
The signatories include top figures such as Monika Schnitzer, Constanze Janda, Jörg Rocholl, and Martin Werding, among others. The economists insist that the recent agreement among Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Minister Bärbel Bas, to implement the package as a whole, should not be revisited. They argue that the 33 recommendations made by the government-appointed expert commission are a cohesive set of measures that make the pension system more reliable, fiscally sustainable, and socially targeted.
The economists strongly oppose the abolition of the "Rente mit 63" (retirement at 63) and the revocation of the tax subsidy for the pension scheme, which they deem as expensive state privileges benefiting higher earners, healthier individuals, and men. The warning comes as the SPD, led by Minister Bärbel Bas, is increasingly vocal against the "Rente mit 63" proposal, while the CDU remains steadfast in its support.
The economists urge the government to follow the commission's recommendations and refrain from undermining the entire package, as doing so would merely exacerbate the existing problems, disproportionately affecting younger generations already facing mounting pressure.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
