Critics of the proposal to allow retirement after 45 years of contributions express concerns about the financial sustainability of Germany's pension system. They argue that increasing the number of individuals eligible for early retirement without deductions could place additional strain on the system, potentially leading to higher deficits and necessitating increased contributions from the working population.
Opponents also caution that the policy might inadvertently discourage longer workforce participation, as individuals may choose to retire earlier than they otherwise would, reducing the overall labor force and potentially impacting economic productivity.
Additionally, there are worries that the policy could disproportionately benefit higher-income workers who have had the opportunity to contribute for 45 years.