For some, the problem of pensions is one of «intergenerational justice». Should the young people of Germany accept that the current generation of pensioners is well provided for and that future generations will pay if the state goes into debt? Germany's population is aging, and young people have to bear the costs of supporting the pension system. Pensions have been a constant topic of debate in German politics for decades. People are living longer, which means they are withdrawing money from the state pension fund for longer and longer periods after they retire. And their number is increasing with the aging of society, writes Deutsche Welle. Most Germans, excluding civil servants and freelancers, contribute to the state pension fund. Both they and their employers pay 9.3% of gross income, for a total percentage of 18.6%. The exact level of a person's pension is determined by factors such as their contributions during their working life, monitored through pension points, which are then converted into a monthly payment. But this calculation no longer works because there are fewer and fewer contributors to the system that supports an ever-increasing number of retirees. As a result, the pension system is supported with billions of euros from the federal budget. In 2026, this amount will amount to 128 billion euros, or slightly under a quarter of the total budget of approximately 524 billion euros. For some, the problem of pensions is one of «intergenerational justice». Should the young people of Germany accept that the current generation of pensioners is well provided for and that future generations will pay if the state goes into debt? In their coalition agreement, the conservatives and social democrats (CDU and CSU) agreed to stabilize the mandatory pension level at the current level of 48% of average income until 2031. In recent weeks, the government has come up with a legislative proposal to reform the pension system and wants the parliament to adopt it in December. But, mainly at the urging of the SPD (the center-left Social Democratic Party, with which Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative bloc forms the governing coalition), the project also includes a provision to support the level of pensions beyond 2031. The CDU-CSU youth organization argues that this will lead to additional expenses of around 120,000 euros, and its delegates have decided to appeal to young conservative legislators in the Bundestag not to approve the package reforming pensions in their current form. Merz asked the 18 young people from the youth organization who oppose the anchoring of income pensions to a high level to participate constructively in the debate. Merz's coalition has a small majority, of only 12 votes, so the 18 could cancel the compromise reached in the coalition regarding pensions. But the 18 received support from high-ranking politicians from the CDU. In order to ease tensions, Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) proposed postponing the vote. Merz dismissed rumors that the pension dispute could lead to the collapse of his government. He now wants to try to convince the SPD to make a small concession in a text accompanying the reform project. This should include a commitment to discuss the pension issue again after 2031. However, it remains to be seen whether the social democrats and young CDU-CSU members of parliament will agree.
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