Pension given for initial period of employment served.

In an interview with news magazine Spiegel, Marcel Fratzscher, President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), has put forward a controversial proposal to address the ongoing pension crisis in Germany. Fratzscher, a renowned economist, is advocating for a mandatory social year for all retirees.

Fratzscher believes that the baby boomers, who have been avoiding their responsibility for 20 years, bear significant responsibility for the current crises in Germany, particularly due to having too few children over the past 35 years. This insufficient childbearing has led to an unsustainable pension system where fewer younger workers must support more retirees, a breach of the generational contract, according to Fratzscher.

The proposed mandatory social year is seen as a significant development in the pension debate. It is not limited to a specific field or industry, but covers a wide range of social sectors. Fratzscher's proposal is based on existing regulations for young people, suggesting that retirees, health permitting, could be utilized in various sectors, including the defense sector, where their technical skills could be beneficial.

Fratzscher's criticism of the baby boomers and his proposal for a mandatory social year are aimed at fostering more solidarity from the old with the young. He argues that the younger generation cannot be expected to bear the consequences alone. The burden for the younger generation, according to Fratzscher, must remain sustainable.

The proposal of a mandatory social year for retirees is causing a heated debate. Some argue that it is an innovative solution to address the challenges in the pension system, while others question its practicality and fairness. Regardless, Fratzscher's voice adds a new perspective to the ongoing pension debate in Germany.

In the 1960s, six contributors supported one retiree, but soon, it will be only two. Fratzscher believes that seniors have the potential to contribute more to the social sector, making his proposal a timely and relevant solution to the pension crisis. The future of the pension system in Germany hangs in the balance, and Fratzscher's proposal is one of many ideas being considered to ensure a sustainable and fair system for all generations.