Overview
- Labour Minister Bärbel Bas told ARD she is open to linking full pension entitlement to years of contributions, with 45 years frequently cited by proponents.
- Coverage illustrates that someone starting work at 16 could retire around 61 under a 45‑year rule, while a graduate starting at 25 might reach full entitlement near 70, compared with today’s statutory age rising to 67.
- Union figures including Markus Söder and Carsten Linnemann signaled willingness to debate the approach, while employer group BDA rejected it as a rebranded version of the 'Rente mit 63'.
- Economists such as Marcel Fratzscher and Martin Werding warned the idea could deepen inequalities for women, carers and those with interrupted careers, and experts note key data on contribution patterns is lacking.
- The government plans to install a Rentenkommission in December to assess designs and trade‑offs and to present options by mid‑2026 for potential legislation in the second half of 2026.