Germany: Majority opposes abolition of 'Rente mit 63

pension reform Rente mit 63 Friedrich Merz ZDF-Politbarometer German social security

A recent ZDF-Politbarometer survey conducted by the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen reveals that 74 percent of German citizens oppose the planned abolition of the 'Rente mit 63'—the ability to retire without deductions after 45 years of contributions. Only 21 percent of respondents support the measure.

The proposal to eliminate this early retirement option stems from a 33-point reform package recommended by a government-appointed pension commission. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Labor Minister Bärbel Bas have indicated intentions to implement the commission's findings, with the Bundestag expected to vote on the reform in the first quarter of 2027.

Opposition to the plan is widespread across political affiliations. Among supporters of the ruling coalition, 61 percent of Union voters and 77 percent of SPD voters oppose the change. Rejection is even higher among AfD supporters (89 percent) and Die Linke supporters (88 percent). Additionally, three CDU state premiers from eastern Germany—Michael Kretschmer, Sven Schulze, and Mario Voigt—have voiced support for maintaining the current regulation.

Entities

Alternative for Germany · Bundestag · Bärbel Bas · Cem Özdemir · Federal Constitutional Court · Forschungsgruppe Wahlen · Friedrich Merz · Germany · Markus Söder

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Bundestag is scheduled to decide on the pension reform in the first quarter of 2027. www.fehmarn24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The pension reform proposal was originally presented by a government-appointed pension commission in June. www.kurierverlag.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.merkur.de · www.ruhr24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The current 'Rente mit 63' rule applies to those retiring from age 64.5. www.fehmarn24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] 61 percent of Union supporters and 77 percent of SPD supporters oppose the abolition.
[● 8 SOURCES] 74 percent of surveyed citizens oppose the abolition of the 'Rente mit 63'. www.fehmarn24.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.hna.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.merkur.de · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] 83 percent of respondents believe a fundamental reform is important for stabilizing the pension system. www.kurierverlag.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.merkur.de · www.ruhr24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The survey included 1,225 randomly selected eligible voters. www.kurierverlag.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.merkur.de · www.ruhr24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Three CDU state premiers in eastern Germany oppose the abolition of the early retirement rule. www.fehmarn24.de · www.hna.de · www.tz.de