A new Flash Report prepared by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) is now available and provides information on discussions in Germany about a recent report by the Pension Commission on the sustainability of the country’s pension system.

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In 2018, the German federal government set up a Pension Commission on a “Reliable Generational Contract” made up of political representatives, academics and social partners to see how the sustainability of the pension system can be ensured and further developed.

In March, after two years of discussions, the Pension Commission presented its report which puts forward several recommendations regarding, for example

• pension amount,
• pensionable age,
• a mandatory pension scheme for the self-employed, and also
• occupational and personal pension schemes.

The report was immediately heavily criticised for its vagueness and lack of direction. As it contains some dissenting opinions and not one single political party or interest group fully supports the recommendations, the political debate on the further development of the German pension system will continue.