Pensioners go away empty -handed: Where is the inflation premium of 3000 euros?
Pensioners go away empty -handed: Where is the inflation premium of 3000 euros?
Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschland - The Federal Government has made a controversial decision: While employers can grant their employees a tax and tax-free inflation equalization premium of up to 3000 euros, this will initially be left out for pensioners. Associations such as the VDK vehemently demand a similar premium for older generations, but the government currently sees no need for action. The petition of May 26, 2023, which should claim a premium for pensioners, is still in the exam.
VDK President Verena Bentele criticizes the decision and warns that pensioners are losing purchasing power more and more. "In fact, they have less and less in the shopping basket," she explains, emphasizing that many with small pensions can hardly pay for food, energy and medication. The VDK's demand is clear: pensioners should receive the same inflation premium as the federal pensioners.
Why do retirees receive inflation premium?
The inflation premium for pensioners is based on the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD), which was decided in 2023. This contract also applies to federal salary and federal care, which include pensions. A draft law for adjustment was published in June 2023, and the Bundestag accepted it on November 16, 2023. The premium has been paid gradually since June 2023 and varies depending on the state until the end of 2024.
The level of inflation bonus for pensioners depends on the pension rate, which depends on the service. This sentence can be up to 71.75 percent, the minimum rate is 35 percent. According to the VDK, the inflation premium for retired civil servants could be between 1050 euros and 2152.50 euros. The average pension rate was 67.2 percent on January 1, 2022, which would mean an average bonus of around 2016 euros for pensioners. The VdK demands that pensioners also receive a comparable premium.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already commented on the claims and pointed out the enormous costs. With around 21 million pensioners in Germany, a premium of 3000 euros per person would burden the state treasury with 63 billion euros. Scholz referred to this as "a total amount of money".
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Ort | Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschland |
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