Bas' Union Slams Cashier Union Over Pension Plan for Officials and Freelancers
Protesting unions challenge pension hike decree by SPD minister
In a contentious move, SPD Federal Labor Minister Barbel Bas has suggested expanding pension insurance coverage to include officials, freelancers, and members of parliament. The Cashier Union, however, vehemently opposes this plan.
According to CSU group leader Alexander Hoffmann, the Union, "Ms. Bas should not try to impose outdated SPD ideas as the future solution to the pension issue on the pension commission." Hoffmann maintains that including freelancers and officials in the pension system does not rectify the problems in the pension insurance and was not part of the coalition agreement.
It's Populist Nonsense:
Christoph Ahlhaus, chairman of the Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), warns that Bas' proposal is "populist nonsense that does not solve a single problem of the pension in the long run." Ahlhaus argues that freelancers need relief, not mandatory membership in the state pension system.
A Complete System Change:
FDP vice Wolfgang Kubicki also dismisses the SPD's pension plan, stating that it would represent "a complete system change in the pension." Kubicki insists that a change in the Basic Law would be necessary for such a system change, as the current pension hammer is not sustainable. Instead, he advocates for a capital-based funding of the statutory old-age provision through a stock pension.
Union and the New Government:
Sahra Wagenknecht, chairwoman of the left-wing BSW party, supports Bas' call for a broader contribution base for pension insurance. Wagenknecht believes that the statutory pension has been underfunded for decades and argues that everyone, including politicians, freelancers, and officials, should contribute to the system. Despite her support for the principle, Wagenknecht doubts that such significant reform will be possible under the current black-red government.
In a surprising move, Wagenknecht has proposed that the new government start setting a good example by immediately contributing the new members of parliament and ministers to the statutory pension. This adjustment could be made without the need for a commission, according to Wagenknecht.
German Pension Insurance, Pension Policy, and More:
The German government is currently exploring several key initiatives for pension reform, including maintaining pension levels, enhancing company pensions, mandating insurance for the self-employed, and increasing pension levels for current recipients starting in July 2025. However, there is no direct information available regarding specific plans for officials, freelancers, and members of parliament to contribute to pension insurance.
The fiery debate surrounding civil servants' inclusion in pension reforms indicates that broader discussions about who should contribute to the pension system may be taking place. For more details on these discussions and other pension-related matters, keep an eye on the ongoing political discourse and reform proposals.
[1] ntv.de[2] welt.de[3] spiegel.de[4] bbc.com[5] tagesspiegel.de
- Alexander Hoffmann of the CSU group criticizes Bas' suggestion, saying, "Ms. Bas should not try to impose outdated SPD ideas as the future solution to the pension issue on the pension commission."
- Christoph Ahlhaus, chairman of the BVMW, labels Bas' proposal as "populist nonsense that does not solve a single problem of the pension in the long run."
- FDP Vice Wolfgang Kubicki rejects the SPD's pension plan, claiming it would represent "a complete system change in the pension."
- Sahra Wagenknecht, chairwoman of the left-wing BSW party, suggests the new government could set a good example by contributing new members of parliament and ministers to the statutory pension, stating, "This adjustment could be made without the need for a commission."
