Overview
- Employers’ and industry associations sent a joint letter to CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary leaders demanding the bill be stopped.
- The groups estimate the plan would add nearly €480 billion in costs by 2050, with annual extras rising from €18.3 billion in 2031 to €27 billion in 2050.
- The signatories say they represent about 17 million employees and warn the measures would overstretch the pay-as-you-go system and weaken competitiveness.
- They argue the proposal would preempt the yet-to-convene Rentenkommission’s room to design longer-term reforms from 2031.
- The letter proposes abolishing “Rente mit 63,” gradually increasing the retirement age beyond 67, and imposing higher early-retirement penalties, while the government remains committed to holding the pension level at 48% until 2031.