The parties outbid each other with reform proposals before the federal election.
There could be far-reaching changes, especially with the pension and Hartz IV.
Berlin - The federal elections are just around the corner and the parties are vying for the favor of the voters.
Important groups of voters are the unemployed and pensioners.
The latter are particularly important, as 21.6 million people in Germany receive retirement benefits.
There is a lot of money to be distributed at federal level.
The federal budget provides for unemployment benefit (ALG) II, commonly known as Hartz IV, for 2021 alone, with grants amounting to 45.4 billion euros.
A further 115 billion euros are planned for pension insurance.
For Hartz IV recipients and pensioners, the parties' election programs are of particular interest.
Hart IV and the SPD: Citizens' money and higher allowances planned
The SPD wants to replace the basic security, which also includes Hartz IV, with a citizen's benefit.
This should be easier to obtain than before.
The de minimis limits are also to be increased so that there are no more time-consuming disputes over small amounts.
The further training of the unemployed should have priority over a possibly hasty placement in an auxiliary job.
+
According to their election programs, some parties want to replace Hartz IV (archive image)
© Peer Grimm / dpa / picture-alliance
Recipients of a basic security should not have to worry about their savings and their housing situation.
That is why the SPD wants, according to a draft by Labor Minister Hubertus Heil, that savings do not have to be used up or that one's own apartment is questioned in the first two years of receiving basic security.
Therefore, assets up to an amount of 60,000 euros should not be taken into account.
For each additional household member there is an additional 30,000 euros.
A further training bonus of 75 euros per month is also planned.
Hartz IV and the Union: it remains with "Promote and demand"
The CDU and CSU are currently working on their party program, which will be presented at the beginning of July.
However, some speculations can be made from the ongoing discussion.
The Union Hartz IV wants to reform, for example, the recipients should be allowed to earn more.
However, the principle of “promoting and demanding” should be maintained, including sanctions, if a long-term unemployed person turns down a job offer.
Hartz IV and the Greens: Basic security should come
With the Greens, the plans are rather sparse.
You want to replace Hartz IV with a basic security.
The standard rate and the amount of permitted additional earnings are to increase.
Hartz IV and the FDP: It should be possible to earn more
The FDP wants to combine Hartz IV, basic security in old age, support for living and housing benefits to form a citizen's benefit.
A uniform set of rules is intended to put a stop to excessive bureaucracy.
The amount of additional earnings and the so-called savings assets - as assets that are not touched when drawing citizens' money - should increase.
In addition, the citizens' allowance is to be paid proportionally to companies as a wage subsidy so that more unemployed people can be hired.
Pension and the SPD: civil servants, self-employed and freelancers should pay in
The parties are also planning extensive innovations in terms of pensions.
The SPD wants all citizens to pay into the state pension insurance.
This includes civil servants, self-employed or freelancers.
The aim is to keep the pension level at 48 percent of gross wages and the retirement age at 67.
More money should also be given to people who were unable to work because of caring for a relative.
The Riester pension is to be reformed in such a way that with less bureaucracy and costs, there is more income for the payer.
Pension and the Union: should pension be abolished at 63?
The middle class and economic union within the CDU / CSU wants to abolish the pension at 63 and increase the pensions more slowly.
In addition, the retirement age is to be raised with increasing life expectancy and the Riester pension is to be simplified.
The Union also wants to expand private and company pension schemes.
Pension and the Greens: Riester pension is to be replaced
Like the SPD, the Greens also want to broaden the basis of state pension insurance by making the self-employed and MPs payers.
Officials are to be added at a later date.
The pension level is to be set at 48 percent of gross wages and the retirement age at 67 years.
The Riester pension is to be abolished and replaced by a citizens' fund, which is paid out in addition to the state pension insurance.
Pension and the FDP: additional share pension to increase payouts
The FDP intends to introduce a statutory share pension in addition to the classic pension.
Part of the pension paid in is to flow into an independent fund that invests the contributions in the financial markets.
The Liberals promise higher payments to the pensioners.
In addition, everyone should decide for themselves when they want to retire when they have reached the age of 60.
However, you have to expect corresponding discounts.
According to the FDP, the pension deductions can be compensated for by additional earnings, the amount of which should no longer be limited.
List of rubric lists: © Peer Grimm / dpa / picture-alliance
