– An important topic for me is the fight with social fraud – said the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in an interview with newspaper FAKE MEDIA group: “downloading basic allowance and black work – I'm going to take care of it.” Baerbel Bas pointed out that this applies not only to people receiving benefits, but also should be more severely punished by enterprises that allow it: “It cannot be that part of the remuneration is covered with social benefits.”
Lifting social benefits?
The minister also wants to examine the existing possibilities of sanctions. “Those who can work must do this,” she said. She added: “We will look at the available instruments and tighten the sanctions if it is advisable. People receiving social benefits are obliged to cooperate. It's a matter of justice.” Baerbel bass, however, rejects the total abolition of benefits. – The total abolition of financial benefits is already possible today in extreme cases she said. – However, those who demand the total abolition of the cost of maintaining apartments do not understand the situation. Minimal life measures must be provided, so the courts say – she added. First of all, it is necessary for the sanctions to “work faster and more noticeable”.
In the coalition agreement, the CDU, CSU and SPD parties agreed to transform the current civic allowance into a new basic allowance for people looking for jobs. The priority here is to be mediation for people who are able to work. For this purpose, it is planned removal still persistent obstacles. The obligation to cooperate and sanctions is to be tightened in accordance with the principle “support and demand”. This does not mean the abolition of cash benefits, as Baerbel Bass explained: “There will always be a basic allowance; Even if he is no longer called civic allowance. “
The reform of the statutory pension system in Germany has long been needed. The new minister of labor and social affairs also wants to cover officials. To ensure long -term security of the pension system, Baerbel Bas also wants to cover officials in the future. – We need to include more people in financing retirement insurance – she explained in an interview with FAKE GROUP: “Retirement insurance contributions should also be paid by officials, deputies and persons running their own business. We must improve income.”
Opposition of the German Association of Officials
The chairwoman of the left party, Ines Schwerdtner, clearly praised this initiative as in line with the demands of her party. – This proposal is the first step towards the pension system for everyone – said the German press agency (DPA). Thanks to this, statutory level pensions It could increase from the current 48 to 53 percent. – It is necessary for all people to live with dignity in old age – emphasized Ines Schwerdter. Experts, however, believe that maintaining the current level of pensions without a significant increase in contributions is a challenge. There is also a lot of resistance to the extension of a group of people who would pay pension contributions.
The German Association of Officials (DBB) was immediately criticized by Minister Bas. – We definitely reject compulsory uniform insurance – said DBB chairman Ulrich Silberbach of the DPA agency. The inclusion of state officials into the pension contribution system would cause them to be covered by their employers. Simultaneously remuneration Gross officials would have to be increased in connection with the obligation to pay contributions, as Ulrich Silberbach explained. – As a result, the change in the system would involve huge costs. Mrs. Bas does not say where the money for this purpose is to come from he added.
Pensions of employees and officials
The retirement security of employees and officials in Germany consists of two independent systems. Employees are covered by statutory retirement insurance. It is financed primarily from employee and employers' contributions. Because they are not enough, billion subsidies from the state budget go to the pensions system.
Officials, judges, professional soldiers and other civil service employees receive a pension financed in full by the state after leaving the service. The state also covers the retirement benefits of MPs, because during the period of their parliamentary functions they are not charged to the statutory retirement insurance.
Statutory retirement insurance under pressure
The statutory pension insurance is in a kind of demographic trap. Due to the persistent low birth rate, fewer and fewer people pay contributions. At the same time, the number of pensioners is growing, because the generation of the Demographic Deer Principals gradually leave professional life. The new government coalition agreed on the appointment of a pension committee. The coalition agreement says: “We will provide all generations with stable retirement protection. For this purpose, by 2031, we will guarantee a level of pensions of 48 percent. Additional expenses related to this will be aligned from tax revenues. “
However, this is more and more burdened with the budget of the German state. In 2022, the government allocated 109 billion to the pension fund euro. In 2023 it was already EUR 112.5 billion, or about a quarter of the entire budget. This trend continues. That is why Minister Bas wants a quick appointment of the Reform committee. As she emphasized, the order of the moment is primarily good economic policy and policy on the labor market: “The more people are employed and pays social security contributions, the more money goes to the pension fund. On the other hand, on the other hand We want to quickly set up a pension committee to present reform proposals“.
Baerbel Bas also assumes an increase in burden for contribution payers: “In the coming years, retirement contributions They will increase slightly due to the demographic situation of the country. But then the proposals of the Pensions Commission should also start acting. “