Overview

• A government-appointed advisory panel recommends tying the statutory retirement age to life expectancy, with a gradual rise toward 73 by 2060 and the abolition of the early-retirement option known as Rente mit 63.
• The experts urge reintroducing the sustainability factor to pension calculations and cite Denmark’s model, where the pension age is set to reach 70 by 2040.
• Unions caucus leader Jens Spahn says he expects the age to move from 67 toward roughly 70 in the coming years, followed by further gradual increases, while calling the immediate debate premature.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz backs a compulsory contribution to a private, capital-funded pillar and warns households will need to devote more income to pensions, health care and long-term care.
• SPD leaders and social organizations including VdK and SoVD reject higher ages and mandatory private saving as unfair for lower earners and physically demanding jobs, and no binding legislation has been proposed as talks continue into 2026–27.