Thuringia's SPD leader calls for more basic pension for East German baby boomers - Thuringia's SPD leader calls for more basic pension for East German baby boomers
Thuringia’s SPD leader, Georg Maier, has launched a reform to boost the basic pension supplement for East German baby boomers. Announced in Erfurt on December 23, 2025, the proposal calls for a moderate increase, though no exact figure has been set. Currently, the average supplement in the state stands at just €72 per month—the lowest in Germany.
Thuringia already has the country’s lowest average pension, at €1,491 per month. Maier highlighted that many East German baby boomers face financial struggles due to low wages in the 1990s and a lack of company pensions. He argued that raising the Grundrentenzuschlag would address long-standing inequities.
The reform aims to make pensions fairer without placing an excessive burden on public finances. Maier stressed that the proposed increase is both affordable and necessary. His plan focuses specifically on those who worked during East Germany’s economic transition, a group often left with inadequate retirement savings.
If implemented, the reform would directly benefit thousands of retirees in Thuringia. The current average supplement of €72 would rise, though the exact amount remains undecided. Maier’s push reflects broader concerns about pension fairness between East and West Germany.
