German pensions set to increase by 3.74 percent
According to Social Affairs Minister Hubertus Heil, statutory pensions are to increase by 3.74 percent on July 1st.
For a 'standard pension', this will result in an increase of €66.15 per month from July, based on average earnings and 45 years of contributions.
"The favourable wage development will once again lead to a pension adjustment that will strengthen the purchasing power of pensioners," Heil said in Berlin. "Stable pensions are not a luxury, but a question of fairness for people who have worked hard all their lives."
Under German law, pensions generally follow the development of employees' wages and salaries in the previous year. For the time being, a minimum pension level of 48 percent of average wages in Germany is in place. This has been fixed until July 1st, 2025 as a short-term safety net, Heil said.
When the new pensions level enters into force on July 1st, 2025, it will be high enough to hit the minimum of 48 percent, he added.
"Last year, the labour market remained stable despite all the crises and there were decent wage settlements," the SPD minister told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "Pensioners have earned this."
Hubertus Heil (SPD), Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, is coming to exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and SPD after the general election. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld
Currently, the average salary in Germany is around €3,260, putting the 48-percent standard pension rate at €1,565 after social contributions.
However, much like the promised €66.15 figure, this is based on standard contributions on the average German salary over 45 years, meaning the actual amount received can be much lower.
Coalition debates
Pensions are likely to be significant topic in the ongoing coalition talks between the centre-right CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-right SPD.
Following the CDU and CSU's victory in th February 23rd federal elections, the two parties are aiming to form a 'Grand Coalition' government by Easter.
However, tensions could arise in the area of social policy. With a wave of workers from the Baby Boomer generation entering retirement in the coming years, the pension fund is increasingly seeing its reserves run dry.
Heil has repeatedly set his sights on an influx of foreign skilled workers to rebalance the ratio of people paying into the pension pot versus those taking out.
In addition, the SPD wants to maintain the minimum 48-percent pension level and has rejected any increase in the pension age. This policy could result in an increase in the pension contributions paid by workers in Germany, which are currently set at 18.6 percent of income.
If so, the party will be headed for a collision course with the CDU and CSU, who made a promise to cut social contributions in their election manifesto.
Recently, social contributions in Germany have soared to around 42 percent of income, split evenly between workers and employers. The conservatives want to reduce this to at least 40 percent or below.
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