Several CDU politicians have distanced themselves from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments on statutory pensions. Merz described pensions as at most a “basic security” for old age. Saxony-Anhalt’s premier Sven Schulze particularly urges consideration of the East German situation.”
Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz expressed skepticism about the future of statutory pensions on Monday evening at the annual reception of the Association of German Banks in Berlin. He stated that it would at most be “the basic security for old age” and emphasized the need for private provision.
Hubert Hüppe, federal chairman of the CDU Senioren-Union, distanced himself from this. “It is important to the Senioren Union that everyone who has worked and paid contributions for 45 years receives noticeably more than basic security in old age—even if they only earned the minimum wage,” he told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND). Lowering it to basic security would reduce work incentives and promote undeclared work, he warned.
Saxony-Anhalt Premier Sven Schulze (CDU) also criticized Merz, highlighting the special situation in East Germany. “In East Germany, the vast majority of pensioners rely solely on the state pension,” he told the RND. Many could not afford private provision due to low wages, especially current and near retirees. Schulze expects a solution allowing East Germans to live decently from the state pension.
Merz’s remarks drew criticism from SPD, Greens, and Left politicians, as well as the CDU’s social wing. SPD Social Minister Bärbel Bas stressed a pension model based on three pillars. Economist Monika Schnitzer defended Merz as signaling reform pressure, calling for more private savings and adjustments to statutory pensions.”},
