Overview

• An Allensbach survey finds 84% expect a higher retirement age and 78% foresee lower future pensions, yet only 23% deem raising the age acceptable and 7% accept smaller benefits.
• Legal changes end the 'Vertrauensschutz' for severely disabled people on December 31, 2025, affecting those born in 1964 or later with at least 35 contribution years.
• Early retirement for affected disabled workers will carry permanent deductions of 0.3% per month; moving at 62 instead of 65 can cut a modeled €1,750 gross pension to about €1,370.
• The Deutsche Rentenversicherung lists the 2025 benchmark 'Standardrente' at €1,836 gross per month for 45 years at average earnings.
• New analyses show average pensions remain higher in the eastern states than in the west—about €1,350 versus €1,160—with differences driven largely by women’s earnings histories.