An elderly couple goes for a walk in the Rombergpark in Dortmund, western Germany on June 22, 2026. The German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, an uneasy coalition of the centre-left SPD and centre-right CDU, has promised potentially painful reforms for pensions as well as health and elderly care to try and bring costs down.
The Pensions Commission has drawn up a reform package comprising 30 proposals aimed at stabilising the statutory pension scheme in the long term. Key measures include higher contributions, broadening the base of contributors and raising the state pension age. The proposal is due to be submitted to the Federal Government tomorrow. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)