DGB Saxony calls for new fund for GDR pensions

Pension - DGB Saxony calls for new fund for GDR pensions

In addition, the criticism against the Hardship Fund of the German federal government for pensions from the GDR era was renewed. The incorrect linking of claims with a need for assistance led to only a very small portion being able to benefit.

According to the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, as of 21st June of this year, 4516 applications for the East-West Pension Transfer had been submitted from Saxony. Of these, 281 applications have been approved and 983 have been rejected. In most cases, it is not about hardship cases, but rather about mitigating injustices that have arisen. "A construction error of the Fund that needs to be rectified as soon as possible," said Kolbe. She demanded a "real Justice Fund".

The Hardship Fund of the German federal government is primarily intended for East Germans whose pension claims from GDR times were not taken over into the federal German system. If they are considered needy, they can receive a one-time payment of 2500 Euro. The Bund has planned 500 Million Euro for the Fund. It is to be managed by a Foundation.

1. The renewed criticism against the Federal Government's Hardship Fund, particularly for old-age pension cases from the GDR era in Chemnitz, Saxony, highlighted the issue of old-age poverty.
2. Kolbe, from Saxony, advocated for a "Real Justice Fund" to rectify the construction error found in the DGB, stating that it mainly affects people who had their pension claims from the GDR era not recognized in the Federal German system.
3. The Federal Government's Social Affairs department reported that out of the 4516 applications from Saxony for the East-West Pension Transfer, only 281 were approved, while 983 were rejected.
4. With the Hardship Fund, the Federal Government aimed to assist East Germans experiencing financial difficulty due to old pension claims not being transferred to the West German system, providing a one-time payment of 2500 Euro for those deemed needy, a responsibility totalling 500 Million Euro.

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