Connection of pensions to inflation proposed by Gabriel for social structures adjustment

In an interview with "Bild am Sonntag", former SPD chairman Sigmar Gabriel has put forward a proposal for pension adjustments aimed at addressing the financial pressures on the pension system.

Gabriel's proposal is a response to the challenges faced by the pension system, which are largely due to an aging society and fewer children. Under the proposal, pensioners would only receive adjustments within the framework of an inflation adjustment.

The former chairman stated that no pensioner would receive more under this proposal, and similarly, no pensioner would have less. He acknowledged that the situation regarding pensions is difficult to change, but suggested that the financial situation of young people prevents them from providing more to pensioners.

Gabriel's comments come as a response to the current financial pressures on the pension system. The German government, in August 2025, had extended the "haltelinie" for pensions, guaranteeing a stable pension level of 48% until at least 2031. The government also equalized child-rearing times for all parents (so-called "Mütterrente III"), allowed more flexible work after retirement age, and strengthened the pension fund's sustainability reserve.

In the interview, Gabriel was pictured looking thoughtful and determined. He emphasised that the proposal is necessary because young people cannot afford to give pensioners more. He also acknowledged that there are limited options to change this situation.

The interview with Sigmar Gabriel was published in "Bild am Sonntag". Gabriel's proposal for pension adjustments is limited to inflation, indicating a cautious approach to addressing the complex issues facing the pension system.