Pensions and mothers: Completely stupid idea

It is becoming more and more absurd: In order to maintain the pension without deductions at 63 (after 45 years of contributions), the Union no longer wants to count parenting and care periods towards the pension. Anyone who comes up with something like this either has no concept of care work, is a single male or is ultra-conservative. Or all together. And apparently under so much pressure to provide a solution to the pension dispute that even the most stupid idea is being seriously considered.

The message is very contradictory: On the one hand, the mother's pension is being expanded and puts an additional burden on the pension fund (the individual benefit, on the other hand, is low). On the other hand, mothers are devalued by not recognizing the time they spend on childcare and caring for relatives. It is still women who, well, sacrifice themselves for this. While mothers are on parental leave for an average of ten to twelve months, almost 80 percent of fathers still limit themselves to the famous two partner months - for fear of losing their career because they earn more than their partner and because they are more likely to “trust” her with charitable work.

This disadvantage for mothers, which is clearly reflected in their pension, is now to be further exacerbated. Women already have to live with more than a quarter less pension than men. Friedrich Merz’s “justice” drivel at the Junge Union’s Germany Day seems even more than just a phrase.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

Does the Chancellor seriously believe that he will get more women into the labor market if he threatens to cut their pensions? When he declares a man's life (free of care work) to be the ultimate? What if he plays social groups off against each other? Anyone who wants town halls to burn in Germany soon just has to carry on like the Union. And if the SPD doesn't oppose the "new mother's pension", the taz can soon headline again: "SPD jumps over the five percent hurdle".