New Pension Commission to Be Led by Legal Scholar Janda and Former BA Chief Weise

The German government is moving forward with significant changes to the country's pension system by establishing a new reform commission. This body will be jointly chaired by Constanze Janda, a prominent social law professor, and Frank-Jürgen Weise, the former head of the Federal Employment Agency. The dual leadership reflects an effort to bring together expertise from academia and public administration to tackle the complex challenges facing Germany's retirement system.

The commission is set to include 13 members, with final appointments to be announced soon. Janda, who currently serves as chairperson of the government's social advisory board and as rector of the German University of Administrative Sciences in Speyer, is widely recognized for her expertise in social welfare law. Weise, at 74, brings extensive experience from his tenure leading the Federal Employment Agency, providing insights into labor market dynamics and public policy implementation.

The new commission's mandate is to develop comprehensive recommendations for reforming Germany's pension system by mid-2026. Key topics under consideration will include the sustainability of pension financing, adjusting the retirement age, and expanding the base of contributors. The group will also examine the inclusion of additional income sources in pension contributions, as well as simplifying tax incentives for occupational pensions and promoting private retirement savings accessible to all citizens, regardless of financial background or knowledge.

The commission will operate on a consensus basis, though majority decisions are possible in case of disagreements. Members will comprise both politicians and academic experts. Each major political group--CDU, CSU, and SPD--will nominate one Bundestag member as a deputy chair, while the commission as a whole will incorporate a balanced selection of scientists and policy specialists. The German Pension Insurance Association will participate as an advisory member, supplying essential data and analysis without voting rights.

This initiative follows the passage of a pension reform package in the Bundestag on December 5, 2025. The newly adopted measures aim to stabilize the pension level at 48 percent until 2031, introduce a monthly tax allowance of up to 2,000 euros for working retirees, and extend benefits for mothers. These reforms sparked considerable debate, with younger members of the Union parties voicing strong concerns about the long-term viability of the system and the adequacy of the proposed changes.

In response, the government has promised to give younger generations a meaningful voice in shaping future pension policy. Pascal Reddig, leader of the Union's youth group in the Bundestag, is expected to take one of three deputy chair positions, while the CSU has nominated Bundestag member Florian Dorn as a deputy, ensuring representation across age groups and political viewpoints.

The commission will also address the possibility of extending the working life and incorporating additional professional groups into the statutory pension insurance. Discussions will focus on ensuring the financial resilience of the pension system in light of demographic shifts, with a particular emphasis on intergenerational fairness and sustainability.

The cabinet is scheduled to formally establish the commission shortly, following a proposal jointly developed by the Federal Chancellery and the Ministry of Labour. The commission's structure is designed to foster broad-based input from both scientific experts and elected representatives, ensuring that its recommendations reflect a wide spectrum of perspectives and evidence-based analysis.

With Germany's population aging and the ratio of contributors to beneficiaries shifting, the work of this new pension commission is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the nation's social security landscape for years to come.