German lawmaker Pascal Reddig defends pension reform linking retirement age to life expectancy

CDU Bundestag member Pascal Reddig, deputy chair of the pension commission, defended Germany's proposed pension reform that ties the retirement age to life expectancy. He rejected criticism from SPD Minister‑President Manuela Schwesig of Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, arguing that a fixed retirement age of 63 would disadvantage women and workers with interrupted careers. Reddig emphasized that the reform aims to secure the pension system for current retirees and future generations, proposing a mix of pay‑as‑you‑go financing and a capital‑funded element modelled on Sweden's system. He said the changes would reverse rising contribution rates and declining pension levels, creating intergenerational fairness and sustainable pension growth.