Tensions Rise Over Maternity Pension Implementation

Berlin - Internal communications have sparked controversy ahead of the upcoming coalition committee meeting regarding the proposed expansion of the maternity pension. While CSU leader Markus Söder has recently pressed for a swift implementation of the new maternity pension scheme, the German Pension Insurance (DRV) has issued warnings against rushing the process.

According to an internal letter from the DRV to the coalition committee, which has been obtained by BILD, the organization stated that even with prompt legislative approval, the maternity pension would not be disbursed before 2028. The letter is signed by Anja Piel, the Chairperson of the DRV's Federal Board, and other key DRV officials.

The DRV's communication has raised eyebrows within coalition circles, as it suggests a fundamental skepticism towards the maternity pension project. Reports indicate that DRV President Gundula Roßbach has expressed doubts about the initiative since the early stages of coalition negotiations. This has led to speculation in political circles that the DRV may be intentionally introducing delays through technical and procedural obstacles.

The letter highlights the complexities involved in implementing the maternity pension, asserting that a quick rollout would be challenging. The pension authority emphasized that over ten million pension records would need to be recalculated, with particular impact on older recipients, such as a 95-year-old mother with a child born in 1950. This process would require the reactivation of decades-old data.

Moreover, the DRV pointed out that recent legislative changes, such as the introduction of the basic pension, add further complexity, making it impossible to rely on the software used in previous maternity pension reforms from 2014 and 2019. The organization stated that a straightforward extension of existing software for the maternity pension is not feasible.

Despite advancements in IT infrastructure and a new data center at the DRV, the message remains clear: significant lead time will be necessary to effectuate the proposed changes.

Söder has publicly responded to the DRV's warnings, asserting that the reform of the maternity pension is a critical issue of social equity. He conveyed that a 2028 payout timeline is unacceptable and emphasized the urgency for an earlier rollout, insisting that the initiative should not be postponed.