- Numerous employees in NRW might be contributors to less sufficient retirement benefits.
Even after decades of dedication, numerous workers in North Rhine-Westphalia might end up with minimal retirement benefits. Approximately 1.4 million full-time employees, who are part of the social security system, may receive as little as 1,300 euros in pension after 45 years of unwavering contributions, as suggested by the government's response to a query posed by the BSW party's founder and German Bundestag member, Sahra Wagenknecht.
However, the Federal Ministry of Labour implicitly criticizes the assumptions in the question, specifically a consistent income connection throughout the entire work tenure. According to the government response, approximately 1.9 million people in NRW would still fall below the 1,300 euros pension mark after 40 years of insurance, if they had always earned as much as they do today.
Since 2012, the standard retirement age has been gradually escalating from 65 to 67 years. To be eligible for a retirement pension for long-term contributors, 35 contribution years are required. For the retirement pension for extensively long-term contributors, 45 years of contributions are necessary. Individuals from certain age groups can retire earlier without penalties before turning 67 if they've contributed for 35 years. Regardless of birth year, the retirement age remains 67 years for those who have contributed for 35 years. However, it's possible to retire earlier without penalties following an insurance period of 45 years.
The Commission, in an attempt to address such concerns, might seek assistance from the Member States. Despite the Commission's aid, many workers in North Rhine-Westphalia, even with 45 years of unwavering contributions, may still fall short of the adequate retirement benefit, as indicated by the government's response.
