Majority of Germans Oppose Abolition of 'Rente mit 63' Early Retirement Scheme

A recent survey conducted by the Insa polling institute for 'Bild am Sonntag' shows strong public opposition in Germany to the government's proposal to abolish the “Rente mit 63” early retirement scheme. According to the survey, 68% of respondents reject ending the scheme, which allows retirees to claim their pension after 45 years of contributions without reductions. Only 24% support the abolition, while 8% did not respond. Furthermore, 56% indicated they either plan to use or have already used this early retirement option, underscoring its personal significance for many Germans.

The “Rente mit 63” currently enables about one-third of new retirees to retire early without penalties, with higher usage noted among men and East Germans. The effective eligibility age for this pension remains around 64.5 years. The government’s proposal to eliminate this scheme is part of a broader pension reform package backed by the ruling coalition, which also includes introducing social contributions on mini-jobs — a change opposed by 61% of survey respondents.

Union leaders and politicians from across the spectrum have voiced their positions on the proposal. Leaders of major unions criticized the plan to abolish the early retirement option, emphasizing that it disrespects the contributions of workers with long careers. Frank Werneke of Verdi noted the proposal ignores long-serving workers' efforts, Christiane Benner from IG Metall stressed the fairness of the pension and called for understanding the realities of physically demanding labor, and DGB's Anja Piel highlighted that those who have worked nearly a lifetime deserve a good pension without penalties.

Meanwhile, CDU politicians like Gitta Connemann have defended the pension reform package in its entirety, arguing it must be maintained to preserve progress and secure pensions for future generations. However, internal resistance exists within parties, including from CDU leaders in East Germany and notable SPD figures.

The survey also reveals a broad dissatisfaction with the government's pension policy, with 77% of respondents expressing discontent and only 16% expressing satisfaction. This widespread opposition captures the ongoing political and social debate over pension reforms in Germany, highlighting strong public attachment to the “Rente mit 63” scheme and skepticism about proposed changes.

As of August 9, 2026, the government faces significant public and union pushback amid efforts to proceed with its pension reform agenda, making future developments in this debate crucial to watch.