Thorsten Frei, leader of the German Union (CDU) parliamentary group, has called on Federal Social Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) to present a draft bill for pension reform in the autumn. Frei emphasized the urgency of the legislative process, stating that time is pressing for the government to act on the recommendations provided by the expert pension commission.
Was wir brauchen, ist Tempo, denn die Zeit drängt
The pension commission’s recommendations include the abolition of the so-called 'Rente mit 63,' which currently allows retirement without deductions after 45 years of contributions. Frei defended the proposed changes, describing the commission's package as a comprehensive solution that should be implemented as a whole.
Die Reform, so wie die Rentenkommission sie vorgeschlagen hat, ist ein Gesamtkunstwerk
Regional opposition and coalition commitments
Resistance to ending the early retirement option has emerged among regional leaders. According to reports, eight German minister-presidents have spoken out against the abolition of the 'Rente mit 63.' Additionally, several East German CDU minister-presidents and SPD politicians have reportedly demanded that the pension without deductions be maintained for long-term insured individuals.
Saxony-Anhalt Minister-President Sven Schulze (CDU) told the newspaper Bild that politicians will make the final decision on the reform after the summer break. He pointed to the existing coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD, which states that pension entry without deductions after 45 years of contributions will remain possible in the future.
Current age limit for 'Rente mit 63' early retirement in Germany
According to sources, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Social Minister Bärbel Bas have announced their intention to fully implement all recommendations of the expert pension commission. The 'Rente mit 63' was originally introduced in 2014, allowing retirees to leave work without deductions at age 63 under specific conditions. The current age limit for this early retirement pathway has since risen to 64.5 years.
North Rhine-Westphalia Labour Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) stated to the Rheinische Post that any hardship rules within the reform must ensure fair pension access for people in strenuous occupations. The debate continues as employers and politicians assess the impact of removing this central component from the social security system.
