Overview

• A coalition of 28 leading economists, including Monika Schnitzer and Veronika Grimm, has issued a public appeal to German political leaders to revise current pension reform plans.
• The proposed reforms, including maintaining early retirement options and expanding the Mütterrente, are projected to add €520 billion in costs over the next two decades, straining the pension system and taxpayers.
• The Mütterrente expansion alone would impose an annual burden of €4.5 billion on taxpayers, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.
• Experts advocate linking the retirement age to life expectancy as a critical step toward ensuring inter-generational fairness and long-term system stability.
• Economists stress that the current legislative period represents the last opportunity to implement balanced reforms that prevent excessive financial burdens on younger generations.