Civil servants and self-employed: Minister Bas: More people should pay into pension insurance

The aging of society is putting pressure on the pension system. The CDU/CSU and SPD are planning pension reforms. The responsible minister would like to see more groups contribute to the system than currently.

Labor Minister Bärbel Bas wants to increase contributions to the statutory pension insurance system and include groups that are not currently participating. The SPD minister told the Funke Media Group newspapers: "Civil servants, members of parliament, and the self-employed should also contribute to the pension insurance system. We need to improve revenues."

The pension commission agreed upon by the coalition government, which is now being established quickly, will discuss the design and should make reform proposals, said the new Labor Minister. The coalition agreement between the coalition government and the red coalition government stipulates that the current pension level of 48 percent will be legally fixed until 2031. However, the aging of society is putting pressure on the system. In the coming years, fewer and fewer workers will contribute to the pension fund, while more and more people will receive retirement benefits.

The long-term financing of pensions remains vague in the coalition agreement. "Only a growth-oriented economic policy, a high employment rate, and appropriate wage development will make it possible to finance this on a long-term basis," it states.

Higher contributions expected

Bas also announced contribution increases. "In the coming years, pension contributions will rise slightly due to demographic changes," said the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. "But then the proposals of the Pension Commission should also take effect." The Social Democrat rejected linking the retirement age to life expectancy. "A link won't work simply because there are so many different jobs," Bas said. In some professions, people want to work longer and can. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, for example, is 69 years old. "And there are professions where people are already finished at 60."

Above all, Germany needs good economic and labor market policies. "The more people are employed and subject to social security contributions, the more money there is for the pension fund," Bas said.

She now wants to "gain a foothold as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs." Taking over this "fantastic ministry" in the new coalition government was a "heartfelt wish" of hers, the minister said. "Hardworking people who struggle through life need support. The state must help those who aren't doing so well."

In this context, she also referred to her own biography: "I come from a family in the Ruhr region who had to rely on social assistance because their wages weren't enough. That leaves a mark on you." The fact that she now sits in a position where she can "achieve so much for these people" is "a great honor and responsibility" that she respects.