Pension reform: Bärbel Bas wants to include civil servants in statutory pension insurance

German Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has reiterated her call to include civil servants in the statutory pension insurance system, arguing that a unified approach is essential for a significant pension reform. "We need a common system if you want to have a major reform," Bas stated at an event in Düsseldorf. She explained that broader participation would bolster pension funds and lessen the need for state subsidies.

Bas suggested that initial steps toward integrating civil servants could be taken during the upcoming pension reform. However, she stressed the need for cooperation from all federal states, indicating that discussions with state premiers are necessary. The minister also expressed openness to raising the retirement age beyond 67 after 2031, but emphasized the importance of developing specific solutions for individuals who cannot work until that age.

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We need a common system if you want to have a major reform.

One potential approach being considered is partially linking the retirement age to the number of years an individual has contributed to the pension system. The government-appointed pension commission is expected to present its reform recommendations on June 30. The commission's mandate includes finding ways to finance a stable pension level long-term, secure contribution rates for the next decade, and determine if additional groups should be incorporated into the statutory pension insurance.

A recent unconfirmed report about potential commission decisions sparked debate regarding an increase in the retirement age. While Green, Left, and trade union groups have criticized such a possibility, economic institutes like IW and DIW have shown openness. The commission is set to deliberate on these varied perspectives.

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If everyone pays in, then we would have more in the pot and the state would not have to contribute so much.