FDP plans: Tougher penalties for those who refuse to pay citizens' money

FDP plans: Tougher penalties for those who refuse to pay citizens' money

The FDP recently sparked discussions about the social policy of the traffic light coalition through a draft resolution from its party executive committee. This draft proposes tougher sanctions against those who refuse to pay citizens' benefits and abolishes the colloquial “pension at 63”. The general secretary of the SPD described these plans as “insulting employees”.

The FDP is planning cuts in citizens' benefits for “total refusers”. According to the draft resolution, people who do not fulfill their obligation to cooperate with citizens' benefit and refuse reasonable work without good reason should expect an immediate reduction in benefits of 30 percent. In addition, the FDP is calling for the scope for stricter sanctions to be used, including the option of completely canceling benefits.

The abolition of the “pension at 63” is supported by the FDP with reference to the shortage of skilled workers. Germany cannot afford early retirement. Instead, the party is proposing measures to make hiring older workers more attractive, for example by eliminating the employer's contribution to unemployment insurance after the standard working limit has been reached and providing tax relief for overtime.

When it comes to “retire at 63,” around 250,000 people take early retirement every year. The effects of the FDP proposals remain speculative as they are unlikely to be implemented with the rigor required. Statistical data shows that only a very small percentage of citizens' benefit recipients would be affected by the proposed benefit cuts, while the abolition of the "pension at 63" presents different scenarios for retirement age and potential poverty in old age.