Reiche Urges Germans to Work Longer Hours

Reiche urges longer working lives to keep Germany’s social systems sustainable and its economy competitive. In an interview, Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche argued that people in Germany should work more hours per year and spend fewer years in retirement, citing demographic pressures and rising life expectancy as the key drivers.

Why Reiche urges longer working lives

Reiche said the country cannot “work for two thirds of adult life and spend one third in retirement” and called a rise in lifetime working time unavoidable. She pointed to reports from companies operating in both countries that employees in the United States average about 1,800 hours a year, compared with roughly 1,340 hours in Germany, which she framed as evidence that Germany works relatively few hours by international standards.

The policy frame: no quick fix in the coalition deal

The minister argued that measures listed in the coalition agreement will not be enough to relieve pressure on social insurance and to keep labor costs competitive. She called for ending incentives to retire early, without explicitly naming the special early‑retirement track for long‑term insured workers. At the same time, she acknowledged that many occupations are physically demanding and said the aim is to enable those who can and want to continue to work longer.

Existing law and the timeline to 67

Germany is already raising the statutory pension age in stages: after starting in 2012, the legal retirement age reaches 67 in 2031 for those born in 1964 or later. Early retirement remains possible with deductions, and there are exceptions for long‑term contributors and for people with severe disabilities. The current governing parties committed to more flexibility at the transition from work to retirement rather than another statutory age hike.

Critics reject longer working lives

The social wing of the CDU (CDA) fired back within hours. Deputy chair Christian Bäumler called Reiche a “misfit” in the cabinet and a “misappointment,” arguing her demands lack a basis in the coalition agreement and ignore Germany’s high part‑time share that depresses average annual hours.

Social groups warn against a rise by the back door

SoVD chair Michaela Engelmeier warned that Reiche’s approach must not become a back‑door increase of the retirement age. The association reiterated its long‑standing demand for a comprehensive “Erwerbstätigenversicherung” that includes civil servants and members of parliament in the statutory pension system to stabilize finances. The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) likewise cautioned against lifting the pension age and urged strengthening pension revenues; it also argued that society‑wide tasks such as the “Mütterrente” should be tax‑financed rather than funded from pension contributions.

Reiche’s case links work hours, taxes and competitiveness

Reiche urges longer working lives in tandem with more annual hours to address what she calls overloaded social systems and high non‑wage labor costs. She tied competitiveness to a mix of contributions, taxes and levies, saying the “factor labor” risks becoming uncompetitive without reforms. Her remarks echo Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s earlier warning that prosperity cannot be maintained by a four‑day week and a narrow focus on work‑life balance.

Political temperature and next steps

Public broadcasters and major newspapers reported intense intra‑party debate after the interview, underscoring that any move toward longer working lives will be contested inside the coalition and in parliament. The government line remains that a durable solution must pair better labor‑market participation with transparent, legally secure pension financing. Reiche’s intervention signals that the cabinet intends to push the debate, while opponents prepare to test any proposal against social fairness and legal commitments.