Chancellor Friedrich Merz says his government will proceed with pension reform proposals aimed at strengthening financing for Germany’s public pension system. According to coverage of the commission’s recommendations, the plan involves changing how eligibility for retirement is set, including linking the retirement age to increases in life expectancy. The commission also recommends ending early retirement arrangements. Reporting indicates the proposal includes a gradual rise in the retirement age over time, reaching about 70 by the early 2090s. Bloomberg reports Merz will move ahead with all proposals presented by the commission, framing the reforms as a way to address pressures from an ageing population and ensure long-term sustainability of pension funding. The Guardian describes the substance of the recommendations and notes that Merz backs the approach presented by the expert panel. Across the accounts, both sources present the same overall direction of travel: reform the pension system through an extended retirement timeline tied to demographic and health trends, while reducing pathways to retire earlier.