Overview
- The Rentenkommission is debating a move to broaden or make pension‑splitting mandatory, a change that would permanently bar participants from claiming the current widow’s or widower’s pension.
- New Deutsche Rentenversicherung data show insured years at retirement rose to 39.7 in 2025, driven largely by much longer careers for women, especially in the old federal states.
- DRV officials warn reserves could be largely exhausted by 2027 and say contributions must rise to about 19.9% in 2028 with a risk of topping 20% in 2029 unless policymakers act.
- Behavior matters: roughly 30% of new pensions in 2025 began early with permanent monthly deductions, and fewer than 1,000 couples use the existing voluntary splitting each year, so reforms would change long‑term incentives.
- The state already plans a 4.24% statutory pension increase from 1 July 2026 and the Rentenkommission’s recommendations due by the end of June 2026 will shape whether the system rebalances entitlements, alters survivors’ protection, or shifts costs to contributions.