Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz answered questions from the population in the ARD “Wahlarena”.
When it came to the topic of pensions, a viewer became emotional - Scholz made a clear promise.
Berlin - pensions and climate protection, VAT and minimum wages, care and coalition issues: SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz had to deal with a colorful mix of topics in the ARD program “Wahlarena” on Tuesday (September 7th). After Annalena Baerbock had already answered questions from the population on Monday (September 6th), Scholz responded to the questions of previously selected citizens in the election campaign for the Bundestag election. When it came to the topic of pensions, a viewer became emotional - but Scholz made a clear statement to the audience.
On Tuesday evening, Olaf Scholz tried to make clear statements: Whether on the subject of Corona and VAT, a possible coalition with the Union or the minimum wage.
Scholz also set himself clear goals for the pension and made a promise to the audience: "I am against a further increase in the retirement age."
Concerned citizen asks Scholz in ARD broadcast about retirement age and pension level
A concerned citizen wanted to know from Olaf Scholz how things should go with the pension. "Do we stay at 48 percent or do we get what the SPD once took away from us?" He asked the candidate for chancellor. With a view to the fate of many retirees, he told us what would remain after 40 or 45 years of work: 1400 euros pension. But some deductions are also to be paid from this, such as health or long-term care insurance, which is becoming more and more expensive. "There is nothing left of the pension for the retirees," he concluded.
That is why his question is whether Scholz and the SPD would stay with a pension level of 48 percent.
"Do you remove this chaos of the Riester treaty and create something for the youth?" Asked the citizen with tears in his eyes.
“Are you staying at age 67?” The man also wanted to know.
The audience received applauding applause from the audience for their questions.
Olaf Scholz makes a clear promise in the ARD “Wahlarena”: No increase in the retirement age
Olaf Scholz agreed with the audience that pension is an important issue.
That is why he makes a clear statement right at the start: “I am against further raising the retirement age.” Even if the population now had better chances of leading a longer life than previous generations, that would not mean that 75-year-olds would still be be as fit as 40-year-olds used to be.
"Even if you are lucky enough to be 85 or 91, it remains so that at some point you can no longer", explained Scholz.
Therefore, in his opinion, there should be a clear message as a feeling of security for the citizens.
“There is no further increase in the retirement age.
We won't do that.
In any case, I stand for it ”, stated Scholz and earned applause from the audience.
Debate about pension level: Scholz in ARD “Wahlarena” for a stable level
When asked whether the SPD wanted to stay at a pension level of 48 percent, Scholz replied that the debate was more about ensuring a stable pension level.
With a small swipe at the CDU and FDP, he explained that this was part of the SPD's election manifesto - but not for all parties.
But Scholz sees an opportunity to create a stable pension level in Germany.
"If we manage to keep the employment ratio high, if women have better job opportunities in Germany - only as good as in Sweden - or if a 56-year-old employee who is made redundant knows for sure" I'll get something before retirement, that is just as good as what I did before, "then we would have fewer problems with the pension," concluded Scholz.
A stable pension level can be guaranteed above all if the problems of the labor market are resolved.
"I am making these firm commitments that we will manage it," the prospective chancellor promised the audience.
SPD candidate for chancellor: Sweden as a role model for retirement
Most recently, Scholz spoke about the Riester pension. “We have to do that, I think you noticed. The return is too low and the costs are too high, ”demanded Scholz. A great role model for Germany could be Sweden, which has a system with low distribution costs and high returns. “I think we can take a look, then we can develop something for the future,” said Scholz.