Overview

• Deutsche Rentenversicherung rejects reports of calculation errors and asserts its assessments comply with the Pflege-Beitragssatz-Anpassungsverordnung 2025
• A one-off 4.8 percent care contribution was applied in July to cover January–June payments, using the higher July pension amounts as the calculation base
• The method led pensioners to overpay about €11 million, and the Social Ministry confirms no refund scheme will be offered
• The taxpayer association Bund der Steuerzahler accuses politicians of concealing the surcharge within the pension increase and calls for greater accountability
• Lawmakers continue debating a tax-free Aktivrente and wider structural reforms such as adjusting the sustainability factor and raising the retirement age to secure the pension system