Overview

• Economy Minister Katherina Reiche reiterated that demographic shifts and rising life expectancy make extending working lives essential to stabilize Germany’s pension finances.
• Christian Bäumler, vice leader of the CDU’s social wing, branded Reiche a “Fehlbesetzung” for overlooking Germany’s high part-time employment rates.
• Employers’ president Rainer Dulger commended Reiche’s candid remarks and urged policymakers to face demographic realities.
• SPD vice Dagmar Schmidt and social organizations SoVD and DGB warned that the call for longer work spans risks a hidden increase in the retirement age.
• Coalition partners agreed to set up an expert pension commission in early 2026, with broader pension reform measures slated for parliamentary debate this autumn.